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Here's step 8 in agency web design: The back-end development of your new web platform is a strategic step in your project.
Back-end development, or programming, consists of transmitting information from databases to the user interface. It involves querying a database, managing the information to be displayed and the business rules to be applied. Some examples:
- Displaying employee files in a desired order
- Date and location management
- Importing and exporting information in a profile.
The first steps in planning your back-end requirements
The first step is a technical analysis. Among other things, it should include a charter of the functionalities to be included in the final rendering. This charter will include the behavior of functionalities and the relationships between software and databases, forms, profiles and other web services. This analysis is an essential step in redesigning a website. Documentation will follow and be updated as your system evolves, to ensure that the integrity of the platform and connected software is maintained.
Administrative platform or Content Manager
The back-end also refers to the administrative platform or Content Manager (CMS). When you log into the CMS, you'll have options to configure, such as the form fields present on the site, menu item management, page content, etc. To make the CMS as useful and easy to use as possible, you'll need to call on back-end programming for any modifications you make. The creation of modules will also require back-end development. Modules can collect information from both the front-end and the CMS. They can also be connected to a CRM or ERP system. Although back-end programming is not necessarily visible to the website visitor, the fact remains that it will have a major impact on the user experience.
Download 50 questions to ask yourself before redesigning a website
Back-end programming and 4 pitfalls to avoid
Pitfall #1
One pitfall to avoid is a lack of preparation upstream of the project. As back-end programming is less visual, the result will be seen later in the project, unlike front-end development where we can visualize the result quickly.
Pitfall #2
Ask for a proof of concept as quickly as possible. Since back-end programming refers mainly to the exchange of information between a user and the platform, be sure to submit a proof-of-concept that validates how the initial requirement will work.
Pitfall #3
For programmers, echoing trap #2, establish steps in advance for testing code to avoid the number of possible factors for poor behavior or rendering.
Pitfall #4
It's important to manage logs properly. Often, a programmer won't bother to check the logs or versions of recent work, yet if there's a glitch, he'll be able to tell if it's caused by poor management of a feature. Certain security functions also exist to ensure that tasks programmed in the back-end run smoothly. For example, if a transfer to your CRM or ERP is scheduled and fails, an e-mail notification can be triggered to inform the system administrator.