In 2010, there were over two billion internet users worldwide. Flash-forward to today, the number of users has grown to more than five billion, representing over 63% of the global population. These users all navigate websites to engage and connect with brands. However, it’s no longer enough to have a website; it must be responsive, easy to navigate, and, most importantly, represent your business.
Incorporating all those elements into your site may seem like a lot. Luckily, with the web development industry growing each year, there will always be knowledgeable industry professionals to help you achieve your website goals. So we’ll answer why web development isn’t dead and provide the information you need to make an informed decision about your next website.
Why Web Development Isn’t Dead: The Evolution Of Web Development
Although the world of web development is changing, the market is anticipated to grow by over 20,000 jobs in the next decade based on the increasing need for unique, functional sites. Segmentation in the industry, the growing number of templated or drag-and-drop sites, and the ever-changing technology surrounding web development are all examples of the evolution within the field. Whether you are building an eCommerce site or are seeking a custom-built website, the web development industry is far from dead — it’s thriving.
Segmentation
Web development covers a wide spectrum of skills and disciplines, all sharing a similar goal — creating and maintaining quality websites. Some companies specialize in writing standardized code and proprietary software, whereas others focus more on interface and user experience design. As the industry becomes more specialized and client needs change, you’ll see greater segmentation.
Each segment requires developers to know different languages and frameworks — for example, front-end vs. back-end. In some cases, web development companies offer several options based on the expertise of their team. A front-end developer will be proficient in languages like CSS, JavaScript, and HTML, focusing on a site’s user-facing elements and features.
In contrast, a back-end developer may have extensive knowledge of languages such as PHP, Python, and Node.js, each of which generally focuses more on writing the code that provides the underlying functionality and interactivity. These segments are unique and showcase the versatility of skills within the industry and the complexity of a well-designed site.
Templates and Build-Your-Own Sites
There is no shortage of website templates and DIY options out there. These are often the go-to choice for bloggers, startups, and small businesses. However, these options are a prime example of a need for custom website solutions.
While they can help website owners reduce initial costs, this is often a prime example of what you pay for is what you get. When you choose a template, your site will be built on the same framework as other sites. In today’s digital age, standing out is essential.
The other issue is that making even the smallest changes can be difficult with templated sites. It may not be possible to alter your site to create a better user experience, which is a common goal. This is why many invest in a development team that builds custom sites.
DIY website builders also do not give you the level of control you should have over user experience. That includes technical details like page load speeds, device optimization, and design responsiveness. When you work with a developer, all the power is in your hands to customize things just as you want.
Take our redesign project for Speech Therapy Plans, for example. As a company dedicated to providing fun solutions for Speech-Language Pathologists, our partner had specific needs for their new site involving usability. One of our solutions was to create a robust filter system to find relevant content based on the student’s disability, grade, assignments, and more.
Drag-And-Drop Page Builders
The growing use of drag-and-drop page builders is related to the increased availability of templates and build-your-own sites. Many page builders available today let users drag and drop page elements into place, which can be positive for those lacking experience. The ease of use is encouraging until site owners experience the inflexible trade-offs of these generic builders.
The initial process is easy, but it comes at a cost. Performance and optimizations suffer. For example, page speed can be significantly slower. Since the first five seconds of page-load time have the highest impact on conversion rates, this is not something you want to cut corners on — especially when running an eCommerce site. Shoppers will go elsewhere.
The other main trade-off is working with a web development team who understands things you don’t. Many don’t know this partnership’s value until they switch — and at that point, resources are already wasted, and business may have been lost because of a poorly designed site.
Industry Transformation Via Emerging Technology
New technology is emerging astonishingly, providing developers with improved tools and opportunities to build optimized, high-converting sites. You can stay on top of crucial industry trends when working with a development team with access to these evolving technologies. For example, making your site mobile responsive.
Another prime example is the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). Some AI-powered tools can help boost conversion rates on eCommerce sites. As new technologies become available, web developers can be more innovative with web development solutions.
Our team of developers continues to change and evolve with the industry regarding new web projects. One of our partners, Cabo San Lucas Shuttle, sought a more professional and user-friendly approach to their site. To remedy this, part of our plan included creating a custom, seamless online booking experience for their users.
Ongoing trends include cloud computing, cybersecurity, and machine learning.
Perfect Afternoon Has the Knowledge on Why Web Development Isn’t Dead
Web development is growing and evolving at impressive speeds with each passing year. The industry is far from dead — it’s alive and flourishing. Web development remains necessary, helping businesses of all sizes reach their full potential online.
At Perfect Afternoon, we’re proud to have over 24 years of experience building custom websites. We specialize in the following content management systems (CMS) — WordPress and WooCommerce — helping businesses create websites that work for them and their customers.
If you want to learn more about our web development services, call us at 248.582.9210 to book a free discovery call! We also have the convenience of a new project form for you to fill out. Our team will contact you to chat more about your goals.
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