Developing Web Pages for Local Businesses

Web development is a broad terminology for several activities connected to creating a Web site for the Internet or the World Wide Web. This can consist of web server configuration, client-side coding and server-side coding, web content development, web design, and e-commerce business development.



Though, amongst web experts, "web development" typically refers to the non-design phase of creating a Web site, e.g. writing coding and markup. Web development can vary from creating the easiest static single web page of a plain text to the most intricate web-based social community network services, electronic online businesses, or internet applications.



For larger online businesses, web development departments can employ hundreds of web developers. Web development may be a joint endeavor involving sections rather than the responsibility of one chosen division. Smaller businesses might only need one permanent or contracting webmaster, graphic designer and/or I.T. technician to do the job.



The Industry of Web Development



By the middle of the 1990's, web development has been among the best ever rising industries in the world. In the year 1995, only less than 1,000 web development businesses were in the United Sates, but by the year 2005 it increased to over 30,000. The web development business is anticipated to increase to over 20% by the end of the year 2010. The expansion of this business is demanded by big and small companies alike who want to sell their products and services to customers and to computerize their business work-flow.



The price of hosting and developing a web site has dramatically dropped through the years. If it cost thousands of dollars in the early years of Web site development, now a simple Web site may cost less than several thousands of dollars, depending on the amount and complexity of the content. Numerous small Web developer professionals and companies are aiding the fair competition in the industry of web development by offering competitive prices.



In so far as the platform and tools for web development is concerned, there are numerous systems that are readily available on the market that are free. A very popular choice is the Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP (LAMP), which is often distributed for free. This reality alone has evidently made the development of Web sites so popular to a lot of people all throughout the world.



Another factor to consider is the growth of the easy and simple to use what You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) Web development software, more commonly referred to as the Adobe Dreamweaver or Microsoft FrontPage. The use of this software can virtually make anybody with basic knowledge on web development to create Web pages in just a matter of minutes. Even the know-how of HyperText Markup Language or simply HTML or other programming languages are not needed so much anymore. However, it is still recommended if you are aiming for a more professional end result.



The new generation of tools in Web development uses the technology of Microsoft.NET and LAMP. It simply provides the Web site the ability to run its applications online. With the help of Web developers applications are now delivered as part of a Web sites services, which historically speaking were available only on desktop based computers.



The Security in Web Development



There are a lot of things to account for in Web development, like the checking of errors in data entry through the use of forms and also the sanitation of entered data's in specific fields. Malevolent practices like injection of SQL can be done by users with malicious intention but with limited know-how of Web development as a whole. Also, scripts can be ill-used to permit unofficial access of a hacker to acquire confidential information like passwords, email addresses, as well as protected copyrighted content.



Security is one of the main issues today in developing Web sites simply because these Web sites represent businesses that strive to have safe online transactions on the World Wide Web. It is therefore very important that rigorous testing of Web based applications be done first before it is made available for commercial use.



In this age of technological advancement, many local businesses are trying to keep up with what the Internet can offer them in terms of online marketing. Due to the onset of fair competition in web development small businesses now has the leverage to market their products and services in the same arena where big businesses used to reign.