Confessions of a Web Developer

As a web developer in PHP I have started having numerous enquiries to build E-commerce websites. While I do enjoy my status as a sought after web developer, I dislike when people call an E-commerce application as a mere website. I even meet people who intend doing business online with E-commerce sites and tell me they do not require any back end. I urge to tell all those aspirants that business online with E-commerce site is an application that has a complete back end functionality which reflects the transactions on the front end.
I would like to give a clear picture to people aiming for E-commerce sites that it is a web application that deserves its worth. Though the beginning certainly is in design, users are not limited to only viewing but visit your site to buy online. Software development companies and web application development companies take pride in developing the online buy and sell features which to normal people appear as websites.
A normal E-commerce platform requires to be developed in PHP, Java or .Net technologies with a functional front end and an easy to use look. A thorough research should be done by the developers and the client what will suit them best along with the technology.
It would be best for people seeking E-commerce development to make a revenue generation plan and choose keywords that can allow the site to reach the first page of Google search. Software development companies have a set of policies to enhance the entire user experience.Given today’s Internet usage scenario, E-commerce is a viable solution to shopping problems. It can do away with long lines, waiting time, and other physical discomforts to choose in shopping
complexes and malls. Online shopping gives the ease to select from the comfort of home.

Importance of Software Development Life Cycle

Software development companies follow a process while developing software products or application.There are different types of structured models for software development. This process is known as Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). The process begins by analyzing user requirements, designing the program, coding the program, testing and documenting and finally maintaining the software or application.

Like any other set of industrial products, software products are also concerned with the customer.The products are either market driven or they drive the market. All web application development or software development today is a byproduct of customer or user friendly development with customer co-creating the product.

Starting with the market research, software development companies define customer’s need. Pre-defined need, possibilities and potential are studied carefully and a lot of assumptions are taken into consideration to come to a conclusion. Though assumptions are abstract, they are crucial factors in the development or inception of a product’s development. A cost-effective system is then conceptualized to solve the customer’s needs in a manner which both satisfies the customer and is better than what the competitor uses.

Some very popular software products are used in schools, hospitals,colleges, institutions, super markets, bus stations, railway stations, financial institutions, and so on. Some very popular web applications are E-commerce web applications that cater to a large number of visitors by offering sale of products online.

Once the software is ready, companies launch it and sell to customers who have need to set up and use them. Such customers are then asked for feedback which is given to developers for a further refinement and make possible value additions to the product. Some software development companies have in-house development for end to end functionality and some do not. Those who do not have outsource some activities to other companies.

India is a hot favorite for software and web based application development. There are many factors to this and some of them are low cost, high technical know-how, large market segment providing these facilities etc. Booming market for software has emboldened otherwise traditional industry set up to change and take on the world at their game.