Front end

The front end of a website is the part visitors can see and interact with; the part visitors cannot see is called the backend. The front end must be visually appealing and free of errors. The elements of the front end can be divided into three categories.

The first category is the style, which includes the layout, buttons, input fields, font, images, and more. These elements are responsible for the website's appearance and significantly attract and retain visitors.

The second category is accessibility, which is about improving the user experience. Features like text-to-speech and logical page sequences can make the website more accessible to all users, regardless of their abilities.

The third category is speed, crucial in today's fast-paced digital world. Visitors expect websites to load quickly; if a website is slow, they will likely leave and never return. Therefore, optimising the front end for speed is essential for a smooth and satisfying user experience.

Front-end languages

There are three fundamental programming languages for developing the front end of a website, and it is recommended to learn them in a specific order.  

HTML

HTML, short for Hypertext Markup Language, is the standard language for creating web pages. HTML provides a website's basic structure and content, such as headings, paragraphs, and images. It serves as the foundation of a website.

CSS

After learning HTML, you can move on to Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). CSS styles the website by controlling the layout, colours, fonts, and other visual elements. With CSS, you can create a visually appealing and consistent design for your website.

JavaScript

JavaScript is a programming language that adds dynamic and interactive elements to a website. You can create animations, responsive design elements, and user interaction features like pop-ups and forms with JavaScript. It is a powerful tool for enhancing the user experience of a website.

Additional tools

In addition to programming languages, developers utilise various tools and resources to create practical web applications. These include content management systems (CMS) like WordPress and Joomla, allowing for easy website content creation and management. Developers also rely on libraries and frameworks like React, TypeScript, and Tailwind to accelerate development and improve the overall quality of the final product. These tools offer pre-built code and components that can be integrated into applications and websites, saving developers time and effort.

The importance of front-end

The front end is the virtual representation of a company, organisation, or individual, serving as their digital identity. Any issues with the front end can negatively impact the brand's reputation. Furthermore, it is essential for ensuring the usability of a website. If the front end is poorly designed, it can drive potential customers away, making it challenging to regain their trust.  

In addition to the above, a well-designed front-end can improve a website's search engine ranking, increasing its online visibility on search engines like Google and Bing. As a result, a well-structured and visually appealing front end is crucial for the success of any online business.