As technology continues to evolve rapidly, web developers need to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and tools. Eventually, this will allow them to create cutting-edge websites and applications best suited to client needs.
Since the very inception of the internet, web developers are always in demand, and they will be in demand in the future too- with a few changes to the core competencies. For example, in the past few years, we have seen a clear shift in web development from code-heavy applications to low-code and no-code tools. This does not, however, mean that expertise is unnecessary. If anything, it makes the web developer’s job that much more significant because they will now be in charge of building more futuristic, interaction-based websites.
The employment of software and web developers will grow 25% and 23%, respectively, from 2021 to 2023 according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor’s official statistics. This blog will study some of the most exciting and innovative trends shaping the web development landscape.
From new frameworks and libraries to advancements in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, we will talk about the technologies driving the future of web development. So whether you’re a seasoned developer or just getting started, join us as we explore the exciting world of web development trends in 2023.
Why Is Web Development Important?
Web development is the process of creating and maintaining websites and plays a crucial role in the online presence of any organization. Here are the reasons why web development is absolutely essential for any business.
- Essential for building an online presence
In today’s digital age, having an online presence is crucial for businesses, organizations, and professionals. A website is the first point of contact for many customers and can help you establish your brand. You can communicate your message and connect with your audience.
- Helps you reach a global audience
The internet has made it possible for businesses and individuals to reach a global audience. With web development, you can create a website that is accessible to people all over the world. This can help you expand your business, reach new customers, and increase your revenue.
- Improves user experience
Web development is vital when it comes to improving the user experience of a website. A well-designed website that is easy to navigate and use will keep visitors engaged and make them return for more.
On the other hand, a poorly designed website will drive visitors away and may hurt your overall brand exposure. Web development helps you create a user-friendly and easy-to-use website, which will ultimately help you achieve your business goals faster than your competition.
- Cost-effective marketing solution
A website is a cost-effective way to market your business or organization. It is much cheaper than traditional marketing methods, such as television or print advertising. Plus, with search engine optimization (SEO), you can increase your website’s visibility and reach your target audience organically without spending a lot of money.
- Data collection and analysis
Good web development also allows you to track and analyze website traffic, customer behavior, and other data that is important to run your business better. This information can improve your website and help you create marketing strategies better suited to your customers.
Top 6 Web Development Trends In 2023
- Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Progressive Web Apps have been in trend for a long time. They offer nearly as potent a set of features as native applications, the difference being web apps are easier to build. They use simple markup languages like HTML or scripting languages such as CSS and JavaScript. The best thing about PWAs is they work offline. As more people start using smartphones to access the internet, the use of Progressive Web Apps increases.
As per statistics published on Statista, in the second quarter of 2022, a whopping 58% of the total internet traffic was from smartphones.
In fact, companies such as Starbucks, BMW, Pinterest, and Twitter are already using PWAs to offer a much-improved customer experience. While PWAs are here to stay, developers will use more advanced web technologies such as Web Assembly, React, and Angular to build PWAs.
- Serverless Architecture
This is one of the latest web development technologies businesses are using today. When it comes to software development, serverless architecture is a technique that saves developers from maintaining the underlying infrastructure while still allowing them to create and execute services. Function as a Service (FaaS) is a common kind of serverless architecture in which programs are a collection of independent “functions.” When a certain event occurs, such as receiving an email or an HTTP request, a certain function will carry out its designated action.
Top examples of firms that use and provide serverless architecture are Amazon, Google, and Microsoft. According to recent research, the global market for serverless architecture in 2020 was $7.29 Billion and will reach $36.84 Billion by 2028, a whopping 500% increase in just eight years.
More businesses should join the sector beginning in 2023. A growing number of products, such as chatbots, IoT applications, and APIs, will make use of serverless functions to carry out common operations like restoring from backups, sending out alerts, and exporting items, among other applications.
- Accelerated Mobile Pages
Accelerated mobile pages are one of the most popular web development trends today. Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) aims to provide mobile users with faster and more engaging interactions.AMP makes it easy to build websites that put user experience above anything else.
Major global tech giants, e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, WordPress, and Google are backing this project. However, the main promoter and key contributor to the AMP project is Google, which is why it is often referred to as Google AMP.
Compared to non-AMP sites, which may take up to 22 seconds on average, AMP pages load in roughly 2 seconds. Developers are adopting AMP as the internet transforms toward a user-centric model. In addition, AMP enables businesses to save expenses on user experience and target individuals with slow internet connections more seamlessly. The solution can boost SMBs by facilitating the creation of mobile-friendly websites.
- Single-Page Application
Single-page web applications (SPAs) are becoming increasingly popular in web development, and this trend will likely continue. SPAs are faster and more responsive than traditional multi-page web applications. They only load a single HTML page and dynamically update the content as the user interacts with the app.
The concept can improve the user experience and reduce server load. Additionally, many frameworks and libraries, such as React, Angular, and Vue, have made it easier to create SPAs.
The developer community and IT giants like Google, Facebook, and Twitter have supported SPAs. A website’s overall efficiency improves when visitors can interact with it without requiring the server to load a whole new page. While substantial work goes into maintaining SPAs, the benefits may be worthwhile.
- AI Chatbots
The future of web development is dependent on AI. Thus AI chatbots will see huge growth in the coming years. Thanks to advanced machine learning techniques and natural language processing, AI chatbots can understand the user’s intent and respond accordingly.
Businesses use AI chatbots in web development to create interactive and personalized user experiences. For example, ChatGPT which is taking the internet by storm is actually a chat application, and will therefore be used as such.
Web development experts can integrate them into websites and web applications to provide customer service, answer frequently asked questions, and guide users through processes such as purchasing or booking appointments. Companies can also use AI chatbots to gather users’ data and provide personalized recommendations or information.
Several modern B2C brands are already using artificial intelligence chatbots to assist their consumers. Such AI chatbot implementation examples are NINA by Nestle and EVA from HDFC Bank. As per Semrush, 80% of marketers already included chatbots in their customer experience strategies in 2020, and the number will only grow bigger.
- Optimized Voice Search
Voice Search Optimization is the process of optimizing a website for voice search queries. Google first introduced the concept of Voice search in 2011. These days the use of voice-enabled devices such as Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home has become more prevalent.
Therefore it is becoming increasingly important for businesses and organizations to optimize their websites for voice search. In fact, as per a study published by Google, 27% of people accessing the internet on mobile devices use voice search.
Businesses can optimize their website’s visibility in voice search by using advanced technologies such as Natural language processing and structured data. As the technology continues to evolve, more businesses and organizations will likely focus on voice search optimization to improve their visibility in voice search results.
Conclusion
In conclusion, web development is constantly evolving, and the future of web development promises to bring exciting new trends and technologies. Some of the latest technologies in web development to keep an eye on include the continued growth of Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) and the increased use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
Additionally, the focus on user experience and accessibility will continue to be a major driver in the industry. For businesses, it’s important to find the right web developers who stay informed about these trends and constantly strive to improve their skills and knowledge.
