A digital presence is critical now—even more so than before the pandemic wreaked havoc on our world. And yet only 71% of small businesses have their own website.
This could be, at least in part, because web development is not an easy or quick task. While low-code and no-code platforms have made the process more accessible to laypeople, building an attractive, functional, high-performing, and usable website or web application still requires extensive expertise and programming knowledge. Fortunately, the latest web development technologies aid the development process, making it less complex and time-consuming.
How does the web development process work? And what can we expect it to look like in the future? Here’s what you should know.
What Is the Future of Web Development in 2023?
Web development is still evolving. New web development technologies are constantly being introduced and gaining traction every day. What’s next in the field?
Artificial Intelligence
One study found that 88% of consumers have had at least one conversation with a chatbot in the previous year. And what’s the backbone of chatbots? Artificial intelligence (AI).
AI already has a larger-than-life presence in websites and web apps. In 2023, web development must incorporate this important tool to modernize the product. This will extend far beyond chatbots, although in the not-too-distant future, we can imagine that practically every website will leverage the virtual customer service agent, regardless of industry or niche. We will also see AI leveraged in areas like semantic search tools and more personalized experiences.
Progressive Web Apps
Progressive web apps (PWAs), which are built with languages such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, have been around for several years. These programs act like native apps, but they don’t need to be downloaded or installed. That means significantly faster loading times and a more seamless user experience. They can even be used offline. But at their core, they are actually websites—websites that seem like and behave like apps.
Major companies like Uber, Forbes, Starbucks, Instagram, Spotify, and Twitter are already offering PWAs. And in 2023, they could very well revolutionize the very concept of an app and web development.
Voice Technology
You are probably quite familiar with voice interfaces like Siri, Alexa, Echo, and the like. They are your digital personal assistants, taking care of your most pressing needs. And they are set to overhaul your communications with websites, too.
As with chatbots, voice technology can handle your needs, offering increasingly complex guidance and responses. They are capable of being conversational and approachable—and they can take the bulk of the work off human representatives’ plates. Thanks to AI and automation, they will become a fixture on many websites in the coming year.
Responsive Design
Users are accessing websites and web apps in many different ways these days. They are looking at them on mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers. They are leveraging a range of operating systems. They are using diverse brands and products. And companies need to ensure they are delivering a consistent, optimal experience, no matter how consumers are accessing their web platforms.
It is possible to deliver a uniform experience thanks to responsive design. The latest web development technologies make it possible for webpages to adapt to a range of scenarios, interfaces, settings, operating systems, and so on. This will be increasingly critical as more and more technologies are introduced to optimize the user experience. Personalization, customization, adaptability, and versatility are key.
How To Choose Technology for Your Company’s Web Development
When you’re considering how to choose technology for web development, you have several different categories you’ll need to think about. We’ll take a look at 2 of the most critical tools that are essentially the building blocks of web development: languages and frameworks.
Programming Languages
There are 3 main languages you will need to use in web development: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML creates the structure, CSS lends the product visual appeal, and JavaScript essentially brings the website to life, adding interactive and appealing features.
But you will need to incorporate additional programming languages into your toolkit to make your website not just functional but user-friendly and engaging. Common languages for web development include:
- Python
- PHP
- Java
- Ruby
- TypeScript
When you’re choosing the best language for your project, consider factors like the community and resources that accompany it, the strengths of the language—and what you need from it—its maturity, its scalability, and its security.
Frameworks
Web frameworks facilitate easier development, offering resources and tools that allow you to build your project more quickly and without as many hiccups. Common web development frameworks are:
- React
- Vue
- Flutter
- Node
- Django
- WebAssembly
- Spring
- Express
- ASP.NET Core
When you’re choosing frameworks for your project, think about elements like:
- Adaptability
- Community support available
- Hosting requirements
- Industry and niche
- Licensing
- Resources available
- Ubiquity
- Usability and learning curve
There is no best technology for web development. Instead, developers apply a range of languages, frameworks, environments, and other tools to create a user-friendly, high-performing, well-designed website or web app—platforms that will respond to the needs and wants of computers.
Digital technologies are constantly changing, so it’s important to keep up with the trends and news in the field to ensure that you deliver the most optimal experience and craft a strong online presence for your brand.
If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out our other web development articles.
