Today, custom web app development is a key differentiator in a digital world. Unlike off-the-shelf software, the design of custom web applications is done with performance, scalability, and flexibility in mind. Sometimes, a custom app's functionality and user experience can shape the technology stack.
With a custom web app, businesses no longer compromise on features or try to force their models into unsupportive molds. A custom web application gives you control over the development process. This ensures the end product fits your needs. However, the process can be intimidating even for an experienced team. Read on to find out what goes on in custom web app development.
What is a custom web app?
A custom web app refers to tailor-made software built to address unique online business needs. The goal of custom web app development is to have a highly custom and efficient digital solution. Such a solution enhances business processes and operations. The development of a custom web app promotes innovation in the business and provides a competitive edge in the market.
A web app is built using web technologies such as JS, CSS, & HTML with data storage and manipulation capabilities. The app allows users to interact with the tools of the application via a web browser. Unlike the traditional desktop app, everything on a web app is handled server-side. This eliminates dependency on specific operating systems or installed programming languages on the user device.
Usually, custom web applications are cloud-based. That said, there are exceptions. First, you can have a self-hosted web application that runs on local machines or on-premise infrastructure. However, access is only through a web browser. Also, you can install and run progressive web apps locally, especially on mobile gadgets.
Why a custom web app development?
In the digital marketplace, traditional software is swiftly becoming a relic. If your business relies on a clunky desktop application, it is time to reconsider your strategy. Custom web applications are the future with the potential to keep ahead of the competition. Here are the top reasons custom web app development makes economic sense.
Accessibility
With web applications, you are no longer tied to one device or location. You can seamlessly access the app on your desktop or mobile device provided you have an internet connection. The best part, you no longer have to install updates, address compatibility issues, or worry about operating systems. Web applications work on any device.
Cost-effective
Do you still hold the thought that custom web app development is expensive? Well, think again. With web applications, no need for expensive installations, upgrades, and development of multiple device versions. Since a central server hosts a web application, you save on deployment, infrastructure, and maintenance costs. This frees you to focus on innovation.
Unmatched user experience
Usually, off-the-shelf software does not always provide the unique functions you may need. However, the design of custom web development projects caters to your needs resulting in a personalized experience. A custom web application development eases business processes and operations.
Scalability
As a business grows, so does its system. A custom web application is meant to scale seamlessly regardless of whether you are adding new users, storage, or features. This is one of the main reasons businesses develop custom web applications. With such an application, no need to worry about limits. The app evolves with your business needs.
Seamless maintenance
With a web application, you no longer need to force users to install updates or address disruptive patches. All bug fixes and updates take place centrally ensuring everyone is using the latest version. Not only does this mean a smooth user experience but also less downtime for your business.
Better collaboration
Robust web applications are ideal for team collaboration. Are you managing projects, coordinating activities across departments, or tracking sales, a custom web application can integrate with your existing system improving communication. What's more, real-time synchronization of data and collaboration tools ensure all users are on the same page.
Secure
Unlike off-the-shelf software, custom web applications do not force you to settle for generic security solutions. Once you partner with the right web app development services, you can add advanced security protocols to safeguard your data. You can implement measures such as secure authentication, encrypted data transmission, and multi-factor security to protect sensitive information.
How to carry out a custom web app development
Now you understand a web app and why it is worth investing it is time to dive into the development process. Here is a look at the most cost-effective and efficient steps for creating a web application.
Understand the problem
The first step in web app development is to decide the goal of the application. This is going to influence the features of the app and in turn the project scope, cost, and timeline. Usually, there are two reasons behind the development of a web application:
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Address a pain point
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Provide benefit
Ensure you understand the purpose of your web app development project. Start by clearly identifying the specific outcomes and benefits of the app.
Do market research
By now you know the app you want to develop. However, how do you establish if anyone wants to use the web app? To increase the chances of success of your web application, look at industry reports and engage with potential users. Your search should address the following things:
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Who is the target audience? Know the needs and preferences of the web application users and use the knowledge to customize the app. This will establish a genuine case for your web solution and the likelihood of success.
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Do similar solutions exist? Establish your competition and what their applications offer. This will help you find ways to differentiate your web application ensuring it is unique and provides value.
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What technologies are popular with similar projects? Examine trends and competitors to decide on the right technology stack, features, and design elements. This will give your web application a competitive edge.
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What are the top challenges and risks? Evaluating your competitors can help you understand the best and worst solutions and how to implement them.
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Which are the best monetization approaches? Look at the current solutions to understand realistic and effective revenue and monetization approaches.
Select the type of web app to build
Before building a web app, you need to know the type of application you need. Different web applications offer different functions and features and serve different purposes. The most popular web apps are:
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E-commerce. These web applications facilitate online stores to sell merchandise online. They incorporate advanced features like inventory management, intelligent chatbots, electronic payment gateways, and mobile e-commerce.
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Content Management System (CMS). With CMS web applications, they ease the creation, management, and modification of content without technical know-how. The most popular content management systems are WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla.
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Progressive web applications (PWAs). Even though these web applications resemble standard websites, they provide a seamless mobile app experience. These apps support responsive pages, offline work, and push notifications. The key business benefits of PWAs include better conversion rates, higher search ranking, and improved customer engagement.
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Portal web applications. These require authentication and authorization. They are popular in large enterprises where they build personal employee or partner profiles. This way, enterprises grant them access to specific data and let them track activities.
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Dynamic apps. These web applications actively engage users and create real-time data responses to requests. Dynamic web apps are technically complex relying on multiple programming languages like PHP and SQL for their functions.
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Static web apps. Unlike dynamic web apps, these apps do not involve user-server interaction. These deliver content to browsers without server-side interactions. As such, these apps are ideal for solutions without the need for personalized or regularly updated content.
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Single page applications (SPAs). With these apps, no need to reload pages from the server. Much of the content remains the same except for a few specific parts that require updates. Often, this results in better user experience and performance. This helps streamline the business web app development.
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Multi-page applications (MPAs). Unlike SPAs, MPAs are made up of multiple pages that refresh whenever data changes. Some examples include web portals, online stores, and business web apps.
Define the necessary function
In this stage, define the right function for the web application. The top functions of a solid web app are:
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User interface elements like tabs, navigation bar, search bar
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Client-server interaction
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Data storage and management
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Authentication and authorization features
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State management features
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Dynamic content
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Compatibility across browsers
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Responsive
Additional features will vary depending on the type of web app you are building. For instance, an e-commerce web app requires a seamless checkout process with multiple payment gateways.
Come up with a web app development workflow
Take into account your business needs and preferences when creating the project workflow. This will help in achieving the goals of the web application. Here is a simple guide to creating a web application workflow:
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Establish entry points for users - It could be through signing in, submitting forms, or clicking on links.
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Map user paths - The sequence of actions or decisions users take to complete specific roles.
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Create a user journey map - A sequence of interactions users encounter in the app.
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Seek stakeholder feedback - This will ensure the workflow aligns with the goals of the app.
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Ensure workflow is consistent - It should be optimized for different devices to accommodate diverse ways of accessing the app.
Design the web app
This step requires balancing function and aesthetics while ensuring consistency across devices and platforms. This is a significant challenge that may require the help of professional web app development services. The right custom web application development agency will help address design challenges by:
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Developing wireframes - These help establish the layout and structure of the web app.
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Defining visual identity - This includes incorporating color schemes, brand elements, and typography that resonate with the purpose of the web application.
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Using visual hierarchy - Guide user attention by emphasizing essential elements.
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Prioritizing mobile design - This strategy helps establish and emphasize important features before scaling up to bigger screens.
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Implementing subtle animations - Micro-interactions improve user engagement.
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Creating a style guide - Helps guide future design.
The right web app development team will come up with detailed design specifications covering dimensions, colors, and font sizes.
Build a prototype (optional)
Creating a prototype demonstrates the functions of the web app and user experience before building the final product. The prototype helps with clarity and fosters better understanding among stakeholders. It is useful in testing assumptions and identifying how to create a web application with minimal risks.
Approach to building a web app prototype:
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Clarify assumptions to test
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Build low-fidelity wireframes
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Gradually add visual elements
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Share prototype with stakeholders
Consider creating the minimum viable product (MVP) first (optional)
Building the minimum viable product lets you validate your business idea in a short time with minimum investment. The goal of a prototype is to test design assumptions and enhance collaboration. However, MVP involves building the basic functional web app to satisfy early adopters. The MVP includes essential features but may lack non-essential nice-to-have features.
Consider the following metrics to establish if your web application adds value to the target audience:
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Acquisition rate
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Customer acquisition cost
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Conversion rate
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Return on Investment (ROI)
Choose the preferred web app development approach
You can outsource the custom web application development or use low-code platforms to build the app. Low-code platforms limit you in terms of customization and scalability depends on the vendor. Plus, you may need developers with at least a basic understanding of coding to build the app under expert supervision.
However, with outsourcing, you get a team of professional custom web app developers. This frees you up to implement the app features using any suitable technology stack. Hiring a custom web app development company like Devot gives you access to technical support.
Build the web app
A web application consists of three layers - the front end, the back end, and the database. Each layer has tasks that must be done to make the web app functional.
The web app database phase involves the design of the database identifying entities, attributes, and relationships. This requires you to choose an appropriate Database Management System (DBMS) like MySQL, MongoDB, or PostgreSQL based on app requirements. Also, you need to build a database schema incorporating tables, indexes, and relationships.
For the back end, select a programming language like PHP, Java, Python, Ruby, or JavaScript (Node.js). Implement RESTful APIs to facilitate communication between front end and back end. Also, implement authentication and handle the business logic of the web app.
To build the front end, the custom web app developer will choose a framework like React, Vue.js, or Angular. They then add components using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Eventually, they connect the frontend development to the backend development through API calls to fetch and update data. The developers implement client-side logic to validate forms, update dynamic content, and ensure the design works across devices.
Lastly, the web app development team will test and deploy the app onto the hosting platform. The developers set monitoring tools to track the app's performance. Also, they write technical and user documentation for the application.
Summary
Custom web application development helps small and large businesses have a competitive advantage. Having a progressive web app development team helps customize your digital solution to evolve with the business needs. Now, with this knowledge, you know what goes into the custom web app development. Best of all, you can outsource the entire process to expert custom web app development consultants.
