Tech stack plays an important role when building web solutions. It makes up the product’s structure and affects its flexibility, maintainability, etc. Thus, adequately selected technologies are crucial for successful web development. Therefore, we gathered some tips on how to pick the most suitable tech stack.
What Is Web Development Tech Stack
First, let’s define what a web development technology stack is. So, a technology stack is a set of programming languages, frameworks, and integrations used to create a web solution. It is divided into the frontend – the client part of the website, and the backend – the server part. The technologies used to develop each piece are also different. Let’s discover them in detail:
Frontend tech stack
The frontend is responsible for the visual component of your product. So, frontend technologies create everything you see on the site and what you interact with. There are several underlying technologies, each with numerous frameworks.
The underlying frontend tech stack includes:
- HTML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- SCSS
- SASS
- LESS
In turn, these technologies have their frameworks. For example, for JavaScript, there are Angular, React, Vue, and many others. Additional programming languages are also used to simplify the work of developers. For example, CoffeeScript is translated into JavaScript, allowing you to write more compact code.
The most popular technology is JavaScript, which has many frameworks allowing you to create a fully functioning website. Almost every web development company uses it to develop the front and backend.
Backend tech stack
The backend allows the site to function fully and provides all internal processes. So, any interaction with the website’s visual elements requires a response from the server side, for which the backend. It also includes certain technologies to ensure the full functioning of the web application and its compliance with the business logic.
The technologies for the backend are more extensive and include servers, databases, and more. Let’s look at them in detail:
Operating system
Before development begins, select the operating system on which developers will work. This can be Linux or Windows.
Web server
This is needed to receive HTTP requests and return responses. This may be Nginx or Apache.
Databases
These are essential to store, process, and to interact with large amounts of information. Many options exist, but MySQL, PostgreSQL, Firebase, and MongoDB are the most commonly used.
Stores
They allow you to store large files such as images or animations. Popular technologies are AWS S3 and Firebase Storage.
Hosting
Hostings are required to run the website on the Internet. The most reliable hosting services are Firebase Hosting, AWS S3 Bucket, and Amazon EC2.
Programming languages
Various programming languages are used to write backend code. Among them are:
- PHP
- Ruby
- Python
- Java
- JavaScript (Node.js platform)
- C# (.Net)
Frameworks
As with the frontend, the backend also uses different frameworks to improve the website’s functioning and simplify developers’ work. For example, it can be Express and Nest.js.
Factors Determining Web Development Tech Stack
Several significant factors can influence the choice of technology to develop your web solution:
Workscope and complexity
The size and complexity of your platform directly affect several factors: the time and cost to build a website, team composition, and the technology required. So, complex websites need more advanced technologies.
Functionality
Your website’s functionality also impacts the tech stack. For example, different technologies will be used for a static one-page landing and a multi-page site with many animations.
Website’s speed and load
It’s equally important that your web solution runs fast, handles the workload requirements, and functions properly. Developers choose an appropriate tech stack based on the website’s complexity, the number of pages, and the functionality.
Flexibility
The flexibility and scalability of the selected tech stack will directly affect the ease of further upgrades and support. Therefore, if you plan to expand your web solution, choose modern, scalable technology.
Security
The more sensitive data your site handles, the more attention you need to pay to security. Developers will take this factor into account when choosing technologies for your website.
Competitor analysis
By analyzing similar solutions, you can understand what technologies your competitors used to develop websites to make the best choice based on their experience.
How to Select the Best Tech Stack: 7 Tips
We have gathered for you several tips to help you make the best choice of technologies for web development:
Focus on your experience
If you already have web developers on your team, consider choosing the technologies they know how to work with. For example, if you have JavaScript developers, it’s worth taking advantage of this opportunity. Then, you can view additional options and hire new employees if necessary.
Consider your product requirements
As we already mentioned, the features of your web solution have a significant influence on those stacks. For example, the technologies required for medical website development will differ from those required for an e-commerce platform or a one-page landing page. Determine your needs and seek help from an experienced software provider who can help you select the best technologies.
Don’t forget scalability
The best technology is the one that will allow you to create a website with the most straightforward possible architecture but will allow you to scale it if necessary. For example, you can use JavaScript, since the power of this language, in combination with libraries and frameworks, is sufficient to provide high flexibility.
Pay attention to trends
It is recommended to use technologies that are not only time-tested but also popular and will remain employed in the future. Therefore, maintaining a website based on the stack actively used by most developers will be much easier for you.
Assess your skills
If you have specialists in certain technologies on your team, ensure their expertise will be enough to fulfill all your requirements. If necessary, contact an outsourcing software provider who will provide you with specialists with experience in the stack required for your project.
Focus on safety
Before moving on to development, make sure that the tech stack you choose will allow you to protect your website from third-party interference. Thus, you will be sure your data and customers will be safe.
Consider expediency
Do not chase novelty and blindly follow trends. If you choose between time-tested technology and the latest innovation, you should select the first option. After all, you cannot be sure that new technology will remain as popular in a year or two.
Examples of Well-Known Projects’ Tech Stack
Finally, you can check out a stack of well-known web solutions to find inspiration for your web solutions.
Youtube
This platform allows users to share videos and shorts and view other people’s publications. YouTube is the most popular blogging website today.
Uber
The company has created a new approach to the taxi service, and today its network covers most countries worldwide. The service allows passengers to find drivers nearby willing to take a short trip with them.
Netflix
It is the world’s most famous video-on-demand platform that allows users to access unlimited content with a subscription.
This photo-video-sharing platform is one of the most used social networks in the world today.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right tech stack is an essential step toward the success of your web solution. However, you do not need to delve into the technical details yourself. It is enough to share your idea with an experienced software provider who will independently select the necessary technologies and create a unique and competitive web solution for you.
About the Author
Vitaly Kuprenko is a writer for Cleveroad. It’s a web and mobile app development company with headquarters in Ukraine. He enjoys writing about technology and digital marketing.