7 Essential Steps in Web Application Development Process

Mobile and Web applications have become an important tool for businesses today. Generally, these are constructed on a three-tiered software development model which includes users, business, and data services. This type of model is followed to segregate a web application into suppliers of services and networks of consumers. Here we’ll discuss the 7 Essential Steps in Web Application Development Process.

A visual gateway for consumer interaction is created in the user services tier, which can range from basic HTML and DHTML to the most complex Java applets and COM components.  The second tier includes everything from web scripting to server-side programming which helps a user in performing intricate actions via a web-based interface.  Lastly, the final tier is where all the file systems, writeable media, and databases are stored.

Below are the essential steps that should be followed as part of the web application development process.

Essential Steps in the Web Application Development Process

1. Envisioning a Roadmap:

The first step is all about establishing the goals and purposes of the web application. This step is essentially followed to chart a proper direction for the project.

2. Defining a Target Audience:

The second step involves identifying the audience for the web application. A proper analytics report has to be prepared with the following information.

• Type of Audience: Statistics about the percentage of elementary, average, and advanced users, and the age and gender.
• Web Access Capabilities of Audience: Statistics that specify the targeted audience’s access to the Internet, intranet, and single as well as multi-level extranet.
•  Level of Security: Risk statistics that define the type of security to be integrated in the application based on users’ characteristics, security breaches, fraud level in the zone, etc.
•  Quantitative Audience Stats: Report of periodic time frames showing potential visitors.

3. Creating a Detailed Functional Specifications or a Feature Summary Document:

Functional specifications the document is the most significant document in any web application development project. Created to eliminate any sort of confusion in the future, a functional specifications document lists all the technical specifications and functionalities of a web application which is to be developed. However, it is quite difficult to detail each type of user behaviour, if the project is large. In that scenario, a feature summary document could be prepared.

Identifying, Analyzing, and Selecting Third Party Vendors:

Web Development is often cost-effective and faster when outsourced. In this step, essential third party vendors are identified, which include:

• Web application development company
• Merchant account and payment gateway
• SSL certificate providers
• Managed Server Provider
• Server, firewall, network, load balancer equipment provider
• Fulfilment centers

4. Selecting Technology and Specifying Web Application Structure and Timeframe:

This is the stage where the platform, technology, environment, structure and framework are defined, and the timeline within which the web application has to be developed is decided.

5. Designing Layout and Interface and Wireframing:

This is one of the most critical stages of a web application development project and starts with the creation of a visual guide or a simple sketch of a UI. Once the interface and interaction models are approved, the design is implemented.

6. Developing the Web Application:

In this stage, a team of developers get together to create the web application’s architecture and the framework, design its database structure, develop or customize the module, classes, and libraries, and implement all the functionalities mentioned in the functional specifications or the feature summary document.

7.  Testing:

The last step in the web application development process is QA testing and bug fixing. A web application must be put through the paces, and all suitable testing techniques must be employed, including load testing, stress testing, performance testing, usability testing etc.

A well-tested web application will be ready for deployment or release, and suitable steps can be taken for its implementation. Additionally, certain other activities such as migration, integration, maintenance and updating must be followed with due diligence, depending on the business requirement and objective of the software. Several businesses have found Specializes in providing web application development services for business use, social computing, web portals, e-commerce websites and more.