What Is Web System Development? A Basic Overview for Beginners

{Web System Development}

With the rapid growth of the internet, buying and selling goods online, making payments, and even watching old movies have all become part of everyday life. Search engine optimization tools are another example. In today's society, web systems have become an indispensable part of daily life.

In this article, Miichisoft explains an overview of web system development, its benefits, and how it's developed. We hope you find it helpful.

1. What Is Web System Development?

The web is a collection of many web pages, usually placed only under a domain name or subdomain on the internet's WWW (World Wide Web). A web page is a file compiled into HTML or XHTML that can be accessed via the HTTP and HTTPS protocols. A website can be built from HTML files (static web), or it can be operated by a CMS (content management system) on the server (dynamic web).

Websites are built using many different programming languages (PHP, .NET, JAVA, Ruby...). Web system development is the development of services and systems accessible over the internet. It's basically meant for users on devices equipped with a web browser, such as PCs, smartphones, and tablets, with the aim of building a system in a web environment.

Read more: What Is the Difference Between a Website, a Web System, and a Web Application?

For example, search sites such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing accumulate large amounts of information and display a list of results matching the keywords entered. Creating a computer program that provides this kind of "search function" is also a form of web system development.

Besides search sites, SNS such as Facebook and Twitter, review sites, and EC sites such as Amazon are all web services. In the sense of building a system in a web environment, smartphone/tablet application development is sometimes also called web system development.

2. Two Terms You Should Know in System Development

Client and web server

Two terms you should understand in system development: client and web server.

• A client is a computer using a web browser, a smartphone, or any other device that can use a web browser.
• From a web system development perspective, a client can be thought of as a web browser such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
• A web server is where a web administrator provides web services to the internet for users. As shown in the diagram, a web server can consist of one or more servers.

3. Languages Commonly Used in Web System Development

Languages used in web system development can be divided into two categories.

• Client-side languages (Frontend)
• Server-side languages (Backend)

3.1. Client-Side Languages (Frontend)

On the client side, the following three languages are displayed for users who visit the site.

These three languages are essential for building a website or preparing a web design.

3.2. Server-Side Languages (Backend)

The client side is the display part, while the server side is the area that processes and compiles data.

It's needed for storing "like" data from visitors and sending messages from request forms. So the following four languages are commonly used on the server side.

Since each development language has its own characteristics and strengths, when developing a web system you need to find a development company that can handle the language suited to your purpose and use case.

4. The Web System Development Process

The web system development process specifically includes the following seven steps.

• 1. Gathering information
• 2. Planning
• 3. Theme design
• 4. Creating the SRS document
• 5. Writing the source code
• 6. Testing, evaluation, and product launch
• 7. Maintenance

4.1. Step 1. Gathering Information: Purpose, Main Goals, and Target Audience

In this phase, we understand and research the client's requirements and decide how to carry out the next steps. The most important task here is to understand the purpose of the website, the features it will provide, its target user group, and to gather all requirements from the client and users.

Answering the questions above will later help you choose the best option for implementing the project.

• Estimated time: 1-2 weeks.

4.2. Step 2. Planning: Creating a Sitemap and Wireframe

In this step, based on the information gathered in Step 1, the programmer provides the client with an overview of the website, including a sitemap, wireframe, or table. The sitemap explains the relationships between the site's main components.

This kind of presentation helps the client understand how the website will be used and shows the relationships between different pages. It lets the client confirm that end users can easily find information and services from the homepage's main page. The main reason for creating a sitemap is to build a website that is as user-friendly and easy to navigate as possible.

Example: this image gives a simple outline of parts of the YouTube home screen interface.

A sitemap lets you understand a website's internal structure, but it doesn't explain the user interface. So the client may not have a clear picture of how users will navigate the pages.

In that case, a wireframe is created as a visual representation of the user interface. However, it doesn't include design elements such as colors or icons - it only explains the elements to be added to the page and their placement.

• Estimated time: 2-6 weeks.

4.3. Step 3. Website Design: Creating, Reviewing, and Approving the Page Layout

In the design phase, buttons, images, videos, and so on are created, making the website more intuitive. To repeat an earlier point, all the information gathered in the first phase is critical, and the design is always created with the client's requirements and user experience in mind.

The website layout is a graphic sketch or an actual graphic design. Its main function is to express the structure of the information, visualize the content, and provide basic functionality.

The client then checks the site layout once and sends feedback. If the client isn't satisfied with the site layout, the relevant points are revised and sent back to the client for re-evaluation. This cycle repeats until the client is fully satisfied.

• Estimated time: 3-8 weeks

4.4. Step 4. Creating the SRS (Software Requirement Specification) Document

The SRS is a document used to describe in detail the system's functional and non-functional requirements. It helps introduce the system's functions and helps the client understand the system.

This is an important document for the development team (system analyst, business analyst, coder) and testers. Based on the SRS requirements, the scope, completion time, and cost of the product development process can also be estimated more quickly and easily.

• Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

4.5. Step 5. Writing the Source Code (Coding)

In this step, you can finally start building the website. Before you start writing source code, you need to choose the technology and programming language suited to the project.

The programmer builds on the website design from the previous stage and uses source code to get the website running smoothly. Following the sitemap, the homepage is designed first, followed by the other functional pages.

• Estimated time: 6-15 weeks

4.6. Step 6. Testing, Reviewing, and Launching the Product

Testing is one of the most thoroughly performed parts of the whole process. You need to check every link to make sure none of them are broken.

You need to check every form, every statement, and spell-check the entire web page.

Use common web standards to make sure the source code is compatible across browsers.

Once testing is complete, deploy the website to the server.

After deploying the source code to the server, you need to run one more final test to make sure the source code is installed correctly.

• Estimated time: 2-4 weeks

4.7. Step 7. Maintenance: Regular Checks and Updates to the System

What matters is treating the website not as a product, but as a service.

You need to check that everything is working properly, that clients and users are satisfied, and that you're ready to make changes at any time if a shortcoming is found.

Add a feedback system to the site's functionality so end users can identify potential problems they run into.

The top priority in this case is to fix the problem as quickly as possible. Otherwise, users will stop using your website and move to a better one.

Another important thing is keeping the website up to date. Regular updates help avoid bugs and reduce security risks.

Read more: [2023] What Is PWA? A Thorough Guide to Progressive Web Apps for Beginners

5. Summary

This article has given an overview of web system development. Beyond that, the first thing to do when starting web system development is to consult a web development company to get a more accurate and optimal solution.

Miichisoft is a company specializing in consulting on and providing web system development services.

With excellent expertise and mindset, we're not just an on-demand vendor - we confidently offer our clients the following four strengths.

• We can reduce your development costs
• Clients can focus on their core business
• We offer the best solutions
• We provide peace of mind and satisfaction

Please check out an overview of Miichisoft's offshore development services here.