Web Development

What is web development?

Web development and are conventionally seen as different practices. The activity regarded as 'web development' typically includes the following:

Writing XHTML code to define the structure of a web page
Resolving differences between the various web browsers
Writing code that runs on the visitor's computer to make the website easier to use or more enjoyable
Programming a web server to produce content in a dynamic way e.g. it shows what is in a customer's basket
Programming a web server to talk to other systems e.g. a credit card company's computers
Designing a database in which to store data about each visitor, or to store content written by the company's staff
Ensuring the website is not exposed to attack by malicious visitors

When do I need web development?

You require web development when you want anything 'dynamic' to happen on your website that isn't already available from an off-the-shelf Content Management System (CMS) such as Joomla!.

Examples of real business requirements for web development, with which our staff have met:

The BBC want a system to allow unsigned musicians to upload their music
The Learning & Skills Council want a quick, easily-changeable prototype of a functioning website upon which to base their next system
A music recording company want a brochure with editable sections for news, client testimonials and so on
A domain name registration company want a shared system to consolidate their existing separate systems for taking domain name orders

Can't I just use a web design agency?

If your needs extend only to a few pages of text that rarely change, then yes. However, you should investigate whether this sort of 'brochure' website will provide any business value or save your staff any time.

The alternative — implementing a basic brochure website with a web development company such as Camel Punch — will ease the pain of adding dynamic features later, and is likely to cost you the same or less even if you never require these services.

As web developers, we strive to make your repetitive tasks automatic, and to ensure that money is handled securely.

Is web development all you do?

No: we provide a full range of services, including system architecture, user experience, and search engine optimisation. Depending on requirements, some of these services are brokered to specialists, but you are always invoiced by us.

I want to pick and choose

We welcome collaboration with other companies on a single project. If, for example, you choose a separate company for design, we are able to convert mockups or templates into database-driven websites.