Web Application Development
What Is a Web Application?
A web application is a software or computer program that uses a web browser (i.e., they don’t need to be downloaded) to perform a specific function, such as shopping, content management, online forms, etc.
Built around three key components: a web server, an application server, and a database. A web application can be considered a more dynamic and interactive version of a traditional, information-oriented website.
Types of Web Applications
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Static Web ApplicationsThese applications display small amounts of content and aren’t very flexible. Think of them as smaller-scale webpages, developed with HTML and CSS, with capabilities to include banners, GIFs, videos, and similar dynamic elements.
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Dynamic Web ApplicationsThese are more technically complex applications, but they also have more capabilities than static web apps. Dynamic web apps can accommodate features like forums or databases, and their content and design can be modified easily based on admins’ preferences.
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E-CommerceE-Commerce applications enable businesses to sell products and services online, via a web browser. They’re complex to develop largely because of the backend operations, payment processing, product and inventory management, etc. Required to make them function properly, but the ROI is more than worth the effort in this age of online shopping and self-service.
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PortalsPortals are a type of application that allows users to access a variety of categories and sections through a single homepage. Think forums, chatrooms, email clients, search engines, or academic databases.
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Content Management SystemsA content management system (CMS) is a useful application for businesses looking to update content frequently, whether that’s making changes to their website, updating a blog, or anything else. A CMS empowers administrators to make these changes without relying on coding skills.
Why Develop your Web Application with Algothic?
Web Application
Development Process
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Discovery
We start by working closely with our clients to understand their goals and problems. After that we put together a plan to bring the clients’ vision for a web application to life, including user interface, feature requirements, foundational technologies, and other specifications.
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Prototyping
To be sure our vision is aligned with our client’s, we use what we’ve learned in discovery to build a prototype: a functional but not-yet-complete visualization that starts to bring the web application and its user experience to life. Think of it like the software version of a minimum viable product.
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Development
Once our client has approved the prototype and we know are aligned on the vision for the application, the development process begins. We use an agile approach that enables us to deliver usable iterations on a regular basis, adding layer upon layer of complexity until the project is complete.
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Quality Assurance
Quality assurance happens in tandem with development, as a separate team thoroughly tests every line of code to ensure it functions as it should and ensures any bugs are fixed prior to delivery.
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Launch
Once your new web application is ready to launch, we work with your team to purchase the domain name and set up the site with a cloud-based hosting provider so users can access it from any browser, anytime.
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Maintenance
Whether real-life usage of the application reveals necessary adjustments, or your growing business could benefit from additional features down the road, Algothic’s team is on call to support the performance of your new application even after implementation.
Examples of Algothic Web Applications
Music Rights Management Platform
A startup needed a system to automate the process of tracking music performances in venues and providing reports to submit to performance rights organizations. The platform uses sound recognition technology to identify music usage, and its database and reporting features generate reports including song title, artist, and all the corresponding information. Unlike existing solutions, the platform’s tracking reports are secure and accurate enough to be allowable in legal proceedings. Altogether, this platform empowers businesses and songwriters to work together simply and equitably.
The platform was created for law enforcement agencies as a simple and efficient tool to coordinate their efforts in real-time, using multiple sources of video.
The system features live streaming of 5 simultaneous video streams up to FullHD (1080p); access recorded video content; GPS data goes with a video-stream; various camera models are supported, the list can be expanded. The system features latency time below 150 ms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a web application and a website?
How do you know if your business needs a custom web application?
What are the benefits of web application development?
- They’re faster and more cost-effective to develop than native applications (like you’d find in the Apple app store, for example).
- They don’t require any downloads to access, which means less to manage from an administrative perspective and easier access for end users.
- They’re designed to work with any operating system (iOS, Windows, etc.) and on any browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.).
- Operating costs are minimal, with no hardware requirements or devices to update and very little system maintenance to worry about.
- Web applications are easy to update with new features, content, or information, and they’re easy to customize according to brand requirements and admin preferences.
- Since they’re usually deployed on dedicated servers, rather than each user’s device, web applications can be constantly monitored and managed, tightening security and identifying any potential breaches before they turn into catastrophes.
Are there any disadvantages of web applications?
- They’re reliant on a functioning internet connection and web browser.
- They often struggle to integrate with other hardware and operating systems your users may be relying on, and they operate a little more slowly than a native application (this is why you often see company websites working less effectively than mobile apps on your smartphone).
- Web apps come with fewer quality control capabilities than native apps.
