Choosing the right web development technology stack for your IT project is the key to success, so take your time before starting the development process and find the most reliable one. But how do you choose the best web development technology?
As you may guess, there is no one right answer to this question. A lot depends on the client’s ideas and needs, as well as the characteristics of the business they run, the type of application they want, and its functionalities.
The most important things when choosing a technology for web development is its ease of use and the guarantee that it will help you create a high-quality and useful web application. In this article, we’ll go over the available solutions, making it easier for you to learn the options and choose the best one.
An Introduction to Web Development Technologies – Web Apps
A web application is interactive, server-based software that you can access through a web browser (you don’t have to install it on your device), which means that you need an internet connection to use it.
Web apps consist of frontend (also known as client-side) and backend (server-side) layers. The frontend includes everything the user sees and experiences directly, while the backend is invisible to the user—it’s the “behind the scenes” part of the application. The backend communicates with the frontend and is responsible for the logic of all functionalities.
Whenever a user performs an action, the browser sends a request to the backend, which returns information in the form of frontend code that the browser interprets to display in a user-friendly way. These actions could be when a user fills out a contact form or makes a payment.
The basic toolset for frontend development consists of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript combined with the React.js, Angular, and Vue.js libraries. The most popular backend technologies and their frameworks are the following:
- PHP (Symfony, Laravel)
- JavaScript (Node.js, Nest.js, Meteor.js)
- Ruby (Ruby on Rails)
- Python (Django, Pylons)
- Java (Spring)
Here at Studio Software, we usually choose PHP and JavaScript to build web apps because they provide a stable and reliable performance. What I like the most is that they come with constantly developed frameworks with a large community behind them, a strong focus on security, easy-to-write code, and a number of ready-made solutions.
How to Choose the Top Web Development Technology Stack for Your Web App?
There are many things to consider before you choose your web development technologies. To make a better decision, you need to deeply analyze your current needs. Here are several things that can help you choose wisely.
1. Type of project
The type of project really matters here because it determines which web development technology stack you should choose. If you know exactly what you want to create and how advanced the product will be, then it will be easier to determine what technology you are looking for.
2. Project size and complexity
Another important factor is the size of the project. If you want to build a large and powerful web application that dozens or hundreds of developers will work on, go for Java. On the other hand, if you need to create a web application based on artificial intelligence or machine learning solutions, Python will be the best choice, while PHP and JavaScript will work best for SaaS products designed to support a company’s internal processes.
When it comes to smaller projects, look for solutions that provide a lot of ready-made components, allowing you to save time during the web development process. What I recommend here is PHP combined with the Symfony framework, but of course, it’s not the only solution.
3. Budget
Your budget can also determine your final web development technology choice. The more complex and advanced the programming language is, the higher the cost. One solution for backend development that provides great quality and is cost-effective is PHP. But note that the final price depends on whether you need additional technology.
A lot depends on the number of available developers who specialize in a given technology. You should expect that hiring AI or ML specialists or Java engineers will be more expensive than working with PHP or .NET developers.
4. Level of security
It’s important to find web development technologies that are regularly supported. I recommend analyzing frameworks with long-term support (LTS) and checking the frameworks’ official website to find out when the support ends. For instance, the latest stable release of Symfony comes with security fixes until November 2023.
Plus, you should always follow all the rules and security guidelines for creating safe software. It’s obvious, but … just saying.
Consequences of Choosing the Wrong Technology for Web Application
Choosing the wrong technology for your web application can have a long-term negative impact on the entire project—both its quality and the final budget. Such a choice may also come with many surprises and difficulties that you will need to tackle at the later stages of the project. For instance, you may find out it’s impossible to expand your app, or you may experience security leaks. As a result, you’ll have to rewrite the app, which is a costly mistake.
That’s why it might be better to search for a reliable and experienced software house that knows web development technologies inside out. This company would help you choose the best web development technology stack and provide the right solutions for a certain project.
Looking for a web development company to build a web app that fits your budget and business needs? Contact us and ask for a free consultation. We’re here to help!
