4 Best Practices Every Web Developer Should Know

Technology is essential to our modern society, and frequently how we interact with that technology is dependent on the work of a web developer. A web developer refers to the person who builds, creates, and maintains websites, including aspects such as web design and publishing. As our world becomes more digital, web developers play an increasingly important role in society. 

Different industries have specific expectations for web development, and web development agencies work on all kinds of projects, from simple websites to highly complex code. Regardless of the type of project, complexity, or scale, it is crucial to develop good work habits and follow the best practices of web development.

This helps to turn out a good product by using time efficiently, minimizing mistakes, and ensuring that you deliver the completed work to a happy client. Web development best practices are doing things most efficiently and intelligently.

This short article will cover four of the best web development practices that Las Vegas web development agencies adhere to.

1. Maintain a Plan and Sense of Purpose

Developers, and people in general, often work more efficiently when they have a goal in mind and a plan to achieve it. Rather than wandering a getting lost, you need a roadmap to get straight to your destination. The first step of any project should be to identify the end goal. You need to know what you are working towards to get there.

Don’t make the mistake of starting to code a project before you take the time to envision the end product and plan out your process. In this way, you’ll be able to work toward your goal efficiently and effectively. 

One of the golden rules of web development is to make every line of code count; don’t over-code. While a wall of intricate code might look impressive, it really can be a mess. It simply creates an environment where bugs can develop and thrive. Keep your code short and simple, ensuring that every line counts because sometimes less really is more.

Are you looking for your next development partner to skyrocket your new website? You’ve come to the right place. Watch the video below from our colleague, Jason, who talks about our approach to building or redesigning a next-generation website.

2. Keep the User in Mind at All Times

Another best practice that web developers need to consider is user experience. Real people will ultimately be using the web pages you code. Pages need to load quickly, and they need to be readable and navigable.

One common design mistake is to use a tiny font on a background that is nearly the same color. Users should not have to highlight the text or zoom in to read what you have written there. It needs to be easy, or they’ll leave. 

Don’t get lost in the code, and forget how real people will interact with your web pages or apps. You need to ensure that they’ll have the best possible experience so that your web pages and apps are highly desirable and valuable. 

Accessibility is something website designers take into serious consideration. One billion people worldwide have some disability, such as deafness, blindness, or restrictions to their movements. Incorporating voice commands or text to speech into your design can help people with disabilities better access the sites you develop.   

Your websites and apps should be easy and accessible for anyone who chooses to use them. You can do this by making the visual design simple, the site fast-loading, and having easy-to-read text can go a long way to making a site accessible.

3. Cross-Platform Compatibility and Proper Coding

Mobile devices dominate, and many people today only use their smartphones. Some don’t even own a desktop or laptop computer. Experts expect this trend to continue in the years to come. 

With this in mind, it is vital to ensure that your apps and webpages can be accurately and quickly displayed across all screen sizes. To give your products the widest audience, make sure you consider different devices and browsers. You don’t want to turn a customer off to your brand by having a website that doesn’t function properly on a mobile device. 

The proper use of HTML is essential. It’s also the first programming language any web developer learns. Of course, a professional web developer will also learn other programming languages, such as CSS and JavaScript. You can combine languages, but it doesn’t always work.

For example, combining HTML and CSS can get complicated. It is also a bad idea to mix JavaScript and HTML. But, if you need to use two different programming languages, you can build an application in one language then have it call to another application written in another language.

Once again, best practices depend on clean, simple code that delivers an excellent user experience.

4. Success Depends on Using Best Web Development Practices

While it’s essential to be adaptable and creative as a web developer, you don’t want to stray too far from the norm. You may need to use your creativity to solve a problem, but you also need to adhere to best practices. Rules, frameworks, and industry standards are there for a reason; the fact is, they work.

There is a temptation for some web developers to innovate by breaking some or all of the rules. Whether breaking coding rules or getting too artsy, website features such as maintaining consistent navigation and easy-to-read text are there for a reason, usability. If you insist on designing a quirky, avant-garde, artsy website, it needs to be easy to navigate and read.

These are just a few web development best practices that you need to keep in mind. New and seasoned web developers need to observe best practices while developing their skills.

There is a lot to learn when it comes to web development, and it’s one of the fastest-growing careers in the world. New languages are being developed, as well as new platforms and markets. It can be a challenge for any Las Vegas Web Development Agency to stay on top of it all. 

If you develop good work habits and follow best practices, you will be in an excellent position to advance your career in Las Vegas and beyond.