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Web Developer Services for Your Next Big Project in Los Angeles, CA
Whether you're updating your current website or launching an e-commerce store, you need a well-designed online home to attract and retain customers. An experienced web developer in Los Angeles can produce a finely-tuned website for your company that boosts your brand's credibility and establishes customer trust.
Web developers have a range of specialized skills that suit different projects. Here's your guide to finding a professional web developer with the right expertise to realize your vision.
How a Professional Web Developer Can Benefit Your Business
While there are do-it-yourself website building tools that make it possible to create a simple site on your own, a professionally created site that's secure, easy to navigate, and optimized for search engines can be critical for saving time and increasing your return on investment in the long run.
One of the advantages of hiring an experienced web developer is the expertise they bring to a project, including knowledge of constantly changing technologies and best practices. Professional web developers can also create a site that meets your current needs and has the potential to accommodate future ones when you're ready to scale.
Web development services
Web developers in Los Angeles offer a range of business solutions. Maybe your specialty grocery in the Valley needs an online shopping service to take advantage of demand, or the website for your boutique on La Brea needs refreshing to stay competitive.
Here are some projects that you may want to hire a web developer to manage.
Building a website from scratch
A web developer can take a brand new website from idea to completion for businesses that are starting out and existing ones moving online. Every developer has a different process for getting a site off the ground, but here are the typical steps involved.
- Gathering information: The developer meets with you to gain a clear understanding of your overall business objectives, how the website helps accomplish these goals, and the audience you're targeting.
- Creating a wireframe: Once the developer knows what the website needs to do, they create a wireframe that shows the structure of the site. This details the site's hierarchy, and all of the sections and individual pages the home page leads to. This is only a map at this point and doesn't include a visual design. Once the wireframe has been approved, you should have a list of the content needed to populate different sections of the site.
- Creating mock-ups and visual designs: Once there's an agreement on the website's architecture, the developer begins to create the look of the website. This may involve a web designer. It's important for the visual design to be approved before the developer begins coding.
- Coding and testing: Now the developers write the code, building all of the site elements according to the mock-ups and wireframes.
- Adding content: Once the site is built, the content is loaded onto the appropriate pages.
- Testing: The website is tested to check functionality and visual layout.
- Site launch: When the testing is complete, the site goes live on the URL.
Updating an existing website
Businesses that already have an online presence should review analytics regularly to ensure their website is working to its full potential. A web developer can make changes to improve sites that aren't generating enough traffic or conversions.
Here are some of the site improvements a web developer can help with:
- Boosting visual appeal: About 75% of users judge a brand's credibility based on website design. If your site is outdated, it may be time to refresh the color, typeface, images, and layout.
- Improve load times: Almost half of consumers expect a web page to load in less than two seconds. If your site is slow to load, it may be worthwhile asking a web developer about ways to improve the load time.
- Add new content: About 70% of marketers are actively investing in content marketing to add value to user experiences and draw visitors to their sites. Web developers can implement content management systems that make it easier for you to update content on your site.
- Optimize SEO: Web developers can apply best practices to help your website rank better in search engine results to connect with a wider audience. Two-thirds of marketers feel that SEO was their most efficient content marketing strategy in 2019.
Building an e-commerce store
Retail e-commerce sales in the United States are expected to hit more than $476 billion by 2024. Most businesses can benefit from an online store that takes advantage of the growth in digital shopping.
An e-commerce website provides the infrastructure for you to sell goods and accept payments over the internet. This includes:
- Showcasing your inventory of products
- Providing product images, details, tutorials, and video demos
- Allowing consumers to add and remove products from their cart
- Enabling consumers to select shipping methods
- Calculating total orders, taxes, and discounts
- Processing payments
- Storing customer information in a database
- Directing orders for fulfillment
Web developers can also build or recommend the necessary applications for your specific needs and integrate these elements into a functional website.
Web application development
Web applications are computer programs that run through an internet browser. Your business may want a custom web application to streamline internal processes or to improve customer experience. A restaurant in downtown L.A., for example, may benefit from an online table reservation system.
Here are some web applications that developers can build:
- Online booking systems
- E-commerce platforms
- Training modules
- Content management tools
- Shared calendars
- Discussion forums
- Interactive games, surveys, and quizzes
These apps don't require installation on individual computers, saving storage space and providing accessibility from anywhere on the internet. They run on different browsers and operating systems and are managed centrally.
What Kind of Web Developer Do I Need?
A professional web developer builds websites for access on the internet or private intranets. This involves programming and writing the code that commands the website to function. Commonly used languages include HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and Ruby, but there are many others depending on a project's needs.
A typical web development project can involve:
- Creating the front-end that users see and interact with in a browser
- Creating the back-end that integrates databases, servers, and applications
- Ensuring websites work on a variety of platforms, including desktops, mobile devices, and tablets
- Optimizing external websites for search engines
- Maximizing user experience
- Testing and troubleshooting
Front-end vs. back-end vs. full-stack web developers
Web developers may specialize in certain areas because of the complexities of building websites, particularly large-scale projects. There are three types of web developers:
- Front-end
- Back-end
- Full-stack
Let's take a closer look at how their roles differ so you can determine the right type of developer for your project.
Front-end web developer
When a user visits a website, they see and interact with the front-end interface. Front-end developers write the code that runs in a browser, typically HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. Known as client-side script, this code creates the visual look of a site.
Front-end developers focus on the experience of the user. This includes creating navigation bars, drop-down menus, pop-up boxes, and buttons — everything a customer uses to access or submit information.
They also make sure the site runs smoothly without broken links or error messages and adapts to different devices or browsers.
Back-end web developer
Back-end developers work with a tech stack that includes servers, applications, and databases. They write the server-side script that responds to requests from the front-end and powers the website.
When someone submits a form to subscribe to a newsletter, the information is sent and stored in a back-end database to be retrieved when a business wants to send the newsletter. Product information is also managed on the back-end, so a user who clicks on a link to view an item can see the appropriate product image, description, and price.
Back-end developers must understand a business's goals so they can make sure the site is properly structured to manage the flow of information.
Full-stack web developer
While some developers specialize in front or back-end programming, a full-stack web developer is proficient in all aspects of building a website. They can execute a project and manage everything, from the way a website looks and functions to the architecture that powers it.
Choosing the right type of developer for your project
The skills your developer needs for your project depend on your requirements.
- Updating the visual appearance of your website is a job for a front-end developer.
- Adding a new payment process or search function to a site can be handled by a back-end developer.
- A large-scale e-commerce project might require both a front-end and back-end developer.
- A small-scale project could be handled by a full-stack developer.
Creating a web development team
While web developers create the functionality of a site, your project may also demand a coordinated team approach. You may need a website designer who can create graphics and front-end visuals or copywriters to develop the site content.
This work can be provided by your in-house marketing staff or freelancers your business hires. Some web developers may also be part of a team that can provide these services to your business if needed.
Tips for Finding a Web Developer in Los Angeles
Whether your business is Echo Park, Frogtown, or the Fashion District, you need a skilled web developer who can sit down with you to understand your goals and collaborate closely with you to realize your objectives.
Businesses in Los Angeles have a wide range of front-end, back-end, and full-stack web developers to choose from. Once you've determined the skills your web developer should have to execute your project, you can begin shortlisting candidates to meet with.
What to consider when hiring a web developer
Start your search by meeting with a few local developers to learn about the experience they can bring to the table. Review portfolios to get a sense of the websites they've worked on and whether their experience reflects projects similar in scope to yours. Read testimonials and reviews of their work.
Questions to ask a web developer
Consider the answers to the following questions when determining whether a web developer is a good fit for your project:
- What size of projects have you worked on? What was your role?
- What industries are most of your clients in?
- What's the most challenging project you've worked on and why?
- What kinds of web apps have you built?
- How do you ensure the site is secure?
- How do you optimize for search engines?
- What new technologies have you used recently?
- What is your development process like?
- What other services do you provide?
- Can you provide ongoing maintenance?
- Could I speak to some of your clients?
You may also want to ask questions specific to your project:
- Can you build a site that accommodates future growth?
- Do we need other team members? Can you recommend anyone?
- What resources and information do you need from me to start?
- How long do you anticipate this project taking?
- How soon could you begin if hired?
Other considerations when hiring a website developer
While experience and cost are important considerations, the best web developer is a partner in your project who's willing to understand your goals and what you want to achieve with the site.
Developers who are willing to answer questions and explain things in detail are ideal, especially if you don't have a technical background. You don't need to know how a server works, but you should be able to understand the limitations and potential of the site they're building.
Read reviews and talk to references to see how easy the developer is to work with.
Finding the Right Web Developer in Los Angeles For Your Project
Your website is an essential marketing and sales tool for your business and needs to make a positive first impression on customers. Put your project in the hands of a skilled professional, whether you want to reinvigorate your current website or make a big splash with a new one.