There seem to be endless choices that a web developer will have to sort through when it comes to web development. Developing a functional and practical website in today’s modern web is no easy task, from choosing a good web host to determining which tools to write HTML, JavaScript, and CSS.
The design has to be planned and implemented, including potential JavaScript libraries or frameworks to use. Once these basic requirements are narrowed, creating a functional website becomes easy. Irrespective of what a web developer does, they are all susceptible to mistakes; hence, this article.
In that case, here are some common mistakes web developers make. By avoiding these pitfalls, you wouldn’t have to worry about a redesign.
- Writing Old School HTML
Like they often say, old habits die hard. During the initial phase of the internet, there were fewer prospects for markup than we do today. Yet, web developers still write codes as if they were in the 20th century. A good instance here is using <table> elements for layouts, or perhaps using elements like <span> or <div> when there are more appropriate semantic-specific tags that can be used.
- “It Works In My Browser.”
We all have that favorite browser we always use for browsing. Some people prefer Chrome, while some like Firefox better. Some instead browse with Opera Mini and nothing else. Most web developers make the mistake of focusing on how the site renders on their favorite browser, thereby forgetting to check compatibility with other browsers.
It is not practical to test web pages in every browser, but checking how your site appears in multiple browsers is the right approach. You can now use tools to solve this problem, like free VMs, Site scanners.
- Bad Form
If you’re expecting to receive some data from your users, never assume the data will come as intended. Numerous websites have lost tons of deals and sales because their form was buggy. Sometimes, it may not be a bug but merely a complicated form that the user doesn’t understand.
To fix this, ensure you make it clear the type of data you’re looking for. If you’re going to ask for an address, be specific. Is it a home, home, or email address? Little things such as this mean a lot and can affect a business if not addressed.
- Create Codes That Work
Whatever code you’re running on the server, testing and confirming that it works is something many often overlook. Even when such is the case, will it still work once deployed? Sites without proper error checking will only end up frustrating the end-user and you.
If you want to avoid making this mistake, then implement useful techniques that prevent errors. Another thing you can do to ensure it runs perfectly is unit testing.
Conclusion
To err is human, so never be ashamed to make a mistake, but instead learn how to fix them as quickly as they arrive. There are many common mistakes developers make, and taking time to go through your project before launching it will help minimize errors.
To learn more or if you have any questions regarding marketing, web design and development, contact Windy City Web Designs today.