Website development covers the technical aspects of building websites. Beyond the visual design of graphics and layouts, website development comprises a range of technical skills.
I have decades of experience in front and back-end web development. I specialise in creating fast, user-friendly and accessible designs which are easy to use and support your organisation’s aims and objectives.
The Technology Behind Every Website
There are technologies upon which every website is built. These are:
- HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language)
- CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
These are front-end technologies as they determine how a website appears to the user. Alongside HTML and CSS websites also frequently use JavaScript which facilitates interaction.
I love writing robust and concise HTML and CSS. These days there many front-end frameworks which provide additional tools for web developers to use when building websites, but my preference is to write HTML and CSS from scratch as it is simpler to maintain and easier to improve in the future.
HTML and CSS have been fundamental to the development of websites since the first days of the internet and will remain the foundational building blocks of every website. However, these technologies continue to develop and new features are introduced regularly. This enables developers to build increasingly creative websites using native functionality. It’s exciting to work in an industry which is constantly evolving. Though keeping up with all the changes is a challenge!
PHP Development
I also build many websites using PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor). PHP is a programming language which enables more complex functionality to be built. This might includes things like contact forms and online shops. This side of website development is often called back-end development. This is because it’s mostly hidden away from the user, operating ‘behind the scenes’.
Like HTML and CSS, PHP continues to be developed as a platform for web development. Partly this is to ensure its security and reliability. New features are also regularly introduced, making it an increasingly useful and powerful language.
PHP enables processing of data submitted through forms, handling of things like images or other file types and connecting with databases. Many website content management systems are also built using PHP. It is fundamental to a large proportion of websites and web applications. Even websites like Facebook are built using PHP!
MySQL Database Development
Databases are used to store information in a way which makes it accessible and queryable. Websites which use content management systems generally require a database. MySQL is a popular database platform for websites. It’s often accessed via phpMyAdmin, a user interface which makes database management simpler.
MySQL databases can store vast quantities of data. This could be anything from web page content (like the web page your currently reading), to user information or sales data. For most of the websites we build PHP provides a way of connecting to and interacting with the data in a database. Queries are written in SQL (Structured Query Language) and passed to the database. The database processes the query and then returns packages of information. This information can then be displayed as information on a web page.
Content Management Systems
Many websites use content management systems. These provide a convenient way for non-technical users to keep websites up to date. Content management systems also make it easier to manage more complex websites.
WordPress is the most popular content management system. It runs on PHP and MySQL, is well maintained and regularly updated. Alongside WordPress there are many other content management systems. Most developers tend to focus on learning one or two, gaining a thorough understanding of how they work and the distinct benefits they offer.
WordPress Website Development
These days I primarily build websites with WordPress. WordPress offers a huge number of plugins and themes which can be used to quickly put websites together. These can make it easier to build more complex websites. But, as a PHP developer, I tend to prefer to write as much functionality as I can from scratch. This is because plugins are often bloated with additional code, which isn’t generally required for every use-case. They can also introduce security risks if not well maintained.
Perch Runway Website Development
Alongside WordPress, I support and continue to develop websites built using Perch and Perch Runway. This pair of content management systems became popular with developers and website owners alike. Perch Runway continues to be maintained and provides a fantastic platform for building websites requiring bespoke functionality. Over the years I’ve built many websites using Perch Runway, including features such as online booking systems. Like WordPress, Perch runs on PHP and MySQL and a series of add-ons provide functionality such as blogs, forms and galleries.
Shopify Website Development
Shopify development is a little different from other forms of website development. Shopify websites are built within the Shopify platform. There’s no need to consider things like hosting, PHP versions or writing queries for MySQL. However, there are many aspects to Shopify development which require specialists knowledge. Shopify themes may be built from scratch, or an existing theme may be adapted to suit particular needs. Shopify also supports the development of apps, which extend the default functionality of the platform. Developers may also use the Shopify API to build bespoke systems for their clients, connecting Shopify with other platforms or services.
Ecommerce Website Development
WooCommerce is another popular ecommerce platform. As an add-on for WordPress, WooCommerce is well supported and offers a wide range of options to support ecommerce businesses. While the day to day management of a WooCommerce website is generally straight forward, developing a site can require specialist knowledge. I develop ecommerce websites using WordPress and WooCommerce, if Shopify is not a good fit for whatever reason. As with all the sites I build, I provide my clients with all the support they need to feel confident using the platform and provide ongoing support to keep things up to date and running smoothly.
Ready to Work Together?
If you’re looking to work with a website developer who can design, build and launch a new website for your organisation then feel free to get in touch. I’m also open to working alongside other agencies, for those requiring additional capacity either on an ad-hoc or ongoing basis.
Alternatively, discover more of the development services I offer.