A Web Application or web app is any program that the user can access using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (http) over a network, usually through a web browser such as Safari, Explorer, Chrome, etc.  HTTP allows resources to communicate through the Internet. A client web browser sends a request for a resource (by typing an http address) to a web server. The web server sends back a response (by showing the web page content). But you may think, a web app is it the same as a web site? The answer is no, even though for the user’s eyes looks very similar, for a web programmer there is a big difference. A website is built using font-end programming (HTML, CSS, and Javascript). A web application, besides the font-end programming, it also requires back-end programming (PHP, ASP, Ruby, Python, etc.) and usually a database to store the information gathered from the client.

Sometimes a website may contain a web app. For example: A Hotel webpage is made for information purposes (to display the Hotel Information, rooms photos, etc). But it also allows visitors to take actions on it, by allowing them to make a reservation, for example. To achieve that, you will need a database to store the information and a back-end programming to communicate between the front-end and the database. In other words, a website is more information-oriented and a web app is an action-oriented. Other examples of Web Applications are Webmail, Learning Management Systems, Online Banking, Social Networking, Online Shopping, Blogs, Content Management Systems, etc. Web applications offer a range of business advantages over traditional desktop applications like:

• No installation on client required.
• All the information is stored in the server, so clients may require minimum disk space.
• The data is centralized and in real time.
• All upgrades are made on the server side, so it won’t require upgrades procedures on the clients.
• It can be used on any Operating System with a Web Browser.
• People can access the information from any place at any time.
• Web technology is increasing enormously, so usability of new technologies can make faster and more efficiently the exchange between client and server.

Web development is not limited to large organizations. All companies can save thousands of dollars by using securely accessed web application to manage their businesses. It can be from simple programs as a product catalog, where the companies can update or upload their products to show them in their website; to complex applications with reports to measure valuable information and help them in the decision-making process. In Treefrog Digital we strongly believe that software must be build to specifically meet the needs of the business for which it is created, instead of force the business to change the way it works to adjust to the software. Common uses of custom web applications include accounting operations, track deliveries, view sales orders, communicate tools, inventory management, point of sales, collaborative tools, scheduling, etc. In Treefrog Digital we design the web application according to your business, so you won’t need to adjust your business’s processes to the software. We carefully follow the next steps to develop and ensure the perfect software for your organization:

1. Information Gathering and Plan In this phase, all the information for a solid understanding of the company and project is gathered (what are the goals and how the web can be used to achieve them). Then, the project manager and developers come together and establish the web app’s goals. They make a clear vision of the project and visualize all the implications and challenges it may face.

2. Design This is an essential phase. The team determines how does the application will be build. They will select the appropriate programming language and database. They will also create a detailed outline of the program functions and flow, as well as the database structure.

3. Coding This is the phase where the web app is created. The web designer(s) work closely to the Web developer(s) to provide them with the visual and graphic elements. Then, the web developers will begin the programming according to the plan designed in the previous step.

4. Testing and delivering In this step, the application is ready to test and check that everything is working great. If there is an issue, the web developer(s) will fix it. Once everything is working correctly and the client approves it, the web app will be delivered and ready to run. If you’d like to find out more about web applications and how to take advantage of them to benefit your company, please contact us today.