The numbers speak: the web application development market is projected to reach $166.20 billion by 2024. By 2025, half of enterprise wireless devices are expected to utilize network services with new capabilities.
In sustainable technologies, 87% of business leaders plan to increase investment in the next two years (JPMorgan Chase).
Meanwhile, one-third of all IT investments are in web application development, which is becoming an essential element of our daily lives.
Entering the IT world of limitless possibilities can be done through the narrow doors of companies that provide custom web app design services. Ready?
Investing in custom web application development opens up tremendous opportunities for growth and development that enable startups to compete with industry giants, be it in the digital economy, e-medicine, or philanthropy.
In this article, we look at the key reasons to invest in building unique web solutions and how they can transform the business landscape of the future: benefits, types of web apps, and trends for 2024. Finally, some best practices from experts in custom web application development services will be discussed.
What Opportunities Await Us in This Fast-growing Industry?
Every day, millions of people often use web applications — from online shopping to banking services — without even thinking about it. Their invisibility is what makes them so convenient.
Web apps are programs that don’t require installation on a tablet or smartphone. They run directly in the browser, and all the computing processes occur on the server.
Another undeniable advantage is cross-platform. It means that browser applications are compatible with different devices and operating systems.
Thus, web applications enhance the online presence of a business, increase customer engagement, and ensure that IT products and services are available on any device.
Below are five web application examples showcasing the diversity, functionality, and technologies employed in their development:
| Name | Description | Technology |
| Google Docs | Online service for creating and editing documents in real-time. | HTML, CSS, JavaScript |
| Trello | A project management tool that allows you to organize tasks and collaborate within a team. | React.js, Redux, Node.js |
| Evernote | A note-taking app that helps you organize your personal information and work materials. | C++, Java, Objective-C, HTML, CSS |
| ThinkDonate | Donation platform, Node.js web application for charities. | Node.js |
| DXRX Platform | Precision medicine solution, big data for Diaceutics. | Big Data |
| Lodgify | SaaS vacation rental management solution. | SaaS |
The final three examples were sourced from Digiteum’s portfolio. This company excels in creating web applications tailored for browser use.
Variety of Web Applications: Client, Server, and Single Page Solutions
In terms of web application architecture and their interaction with the user and server, three main types of applications can be distinguished. Each of them is unique in its scope:
1. A client is a device or program that requests information or services. In the context of web applications, the client is usually a web browser of a user that sends requests to a server.
Client-side applications (CSA), which run directly in the browser, are used in processes that require interactivity.
They are used to creating online personnel offices, information-sharing services, and communication platforms. Such applications are fast and interactive, allowing the user to react instantly to actions.
2. A server is a powerful device or program that processes client requests and returns the processing results.
In the world of web technology, servers store web pages, sites, and other data, making them available over the Internet.
Web server applications are trusted data custodians, also known as Server-Side Applications or SSA. They process requests on remote servers, providing security and centralized management of large amounts of information.
Their business applications are diverse, from e-commerce and content management to cloud computing.
3. Single-page applications (SPAs) are a marvel of engineering. They load in one go, creating a continuous and smooth user experience, as if you were flipping through a magazine rather than waiting for a new page.
Such applications are heavily used in social media, online commerce platforms, and for project management. Their applications are extremely wide-ranging, from social initiatives to business process management.
All three categories of web applications have one thing in common: when you type a website address into your browser, it (the client) sends a request to the server.
The server processes that request and returns the data needed to display the page on your device. This interaction between client and server is at the heart of how the Internet works.
How efficiently data is exchanged between the client and server, as well as how quickly the browser displays the result, depends largely on companies that develop customizable web applications, such as Digiteum. Let’s delve deeper into the topic.
Trends in Web Application Development for 2024
In 2024, key trends in the world of web development will focus on usability and intuitiveness for users, as well as increased efficiency and scalability for servers. Among other things, the following trends will be emphasized:
- Adaptive design is no longer just a trend but a necessity. Apps need to be user-friendly, recognizable, and attractive on screens of all devices, be it smartphones, tablets, or desktops.
- Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are true titans, blurring the boundaries between regular websites and mobile apps. They offer the functionality of the latter, bypassing the need to install from the App Store or Google Play.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) combined with machine learning (ML) penetrates every corner of web development. They automate routine tasks for both client and server, offering users personalized solutions and improving the overall quality of web applications.
Modern technology strives to provide fast data processing, improved security, and the ability to easily handle large amounts of traffic. This is especially important for cloud computing and big data workloads.
The focus is on user-centricity, creating intuitive and user-friendly interfaces, and applying customized approaches.
Looking forward, these trends are aimed at harmonizing and improving the efficiency of the digital space, where technology serves the interests of individuals, businesses, and society as a whole. Discover more at App Academy.
Best Practices in Web Application Development Across Industries
| The type of business | Business tasks | Technologies used | The next step in web application development |
| E-commerce | Improving user experience | React, Angular, Vue.js | Integration of artificial intelligence for personalization of purchases |
| Educational services | Increasing accessibility to training | Laravel, Django | Development of adaptive learning systems using machine learning |
| Financial technology | Ensuring transaction security | Ruby on Rails, Node.js | Implementation of blockchain technologies to improve security |
| Healthcare | Medical Data Management | Python, Java | Using Big Data for Predictive Health Analysis |
| Marketing and advertising | Marketing Campaign Automation | PHP, JavaScript | Applying comprehensive data analytics to optimize strategies |
Conclusion
In conclusion, investing in specialized web application development is a strategic step into the future. Competitive advantage: flexibility in development and the ability to scale functionality as business requirements and market conditions change;
and finally, personalization that provides a unique user experience for each customer that best meets the needs and expectations of the target audience — this is just a smaller part of what browser-based development technology hides over tomorrow’s horizon.
Consider custom web application development; web programming services can contribute to helping you expand the boundaries of these today.