A website is the prime asset of a business. Hence, it is critical for businesses to invest in their development with the best practices and technologies. The key element distinguishing a good website from a great one is the tech stack. By definition, the tech stack encompasses the technologies used to create the website, web app, or other software.
All websites, web apps, and software have a front and a backend that provides aesthetics and functionality to them. The technologies for both of these website elements are different, making choosing a technology stack for web development critical.
Here in this comprehensive piece, we will highlight and discuss some of the best tech stacks. On top of that, we will also elaborate on the tips for selecting the right technology stack for your website.
What is a Technology Stack?
Though you have a brief idea of it, here we will dig a bit deeper.
The tech stack encapsulates the technologies required for developing the user interface, building and organising the database, programming the backend, and much more. These technologies include frameworks, programming languages, web servers, etc.
Here is a quick brief-up of these elements!
Backend Tech Stack
- Frameworks: These are libraries of pre-written codes written by other developers. These can be used to make websites without beginning from scratch.
- Databases: This is the part where the website and user data are stored. Every data addition, deletion, manipulation, etc., happens here.
- Web Servers: The HTTP server or a web server is responsible for handling the requests and responses of the users.
- Programming Languages: Programming languages are used to make communications with the computer easier.
- Operating systems: This system effectively manages the software, hardware, and other resources of the system.
Frontend Tech Stack
- JavaScript: If you have seen animations and other interactive elements on websites, it is because of JavaScript. JS is a professional language that helps developers make websites more dynamic.
- HTML: A HyperText Markup Language that helps display documents on the web browser.
- CSS: Expanded as Cascading Style Sheets, they decide how the page looks, such as the colours, the font, designs, etc.
The composition of all these elements makes an effective tech stack. Moreover, every element of the technology stack has further subcategories, like many programming languages, OSs, databases, etc.
Hence, there can be a custom tech stack based on the type of website you are building. A traffic-heavy website will require a power-packed backend support tech stack. On the other hand, an easy set-up and lightweight tech stack will be imperative for a website with limited functionality.
Some of the Most Influential Technology Stacks!
As we said that the choice of technology stack varies based on the type of website or software; numerous types of tech stacks can be super useful. Here are some of the top technology stacks for website development.
1. MEAN
The number one on the list is MEAN. MEAN stack consists of MongoDB, Express.js, Angular.js, and Node.js. As most of its elements are linked to JavaScript, MEAN is called a JavaScript framework.
It is primarily used by developers familiar with JavaScript and is up for boosting the development process. MEAN is the tech stack behind various great apps like PayPal, Netflix, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more.
- MongoDB: MongoDB is an exceptional database that stores JSON files made by frontend frameworks. The database ensures superfast data exchanges while facilitating massive data storage. MongoDB is also cloud-compatible.
- Express.js: It is an excellent web framework that works at the backend to handle URL routing and HTTP requests. The best thing is that it runs on top of a Node.js server. Hence, its job is to receive JSON docs and make them storable in MongoDB after processing.
- Angular.js: Angular.js is an all-around frontend framework that is fast and open-source.
- Node.js: It is a runtime JavaScript environment that is super memory efficient. Further, it is open-source, event-driven, and memory-efficient.
The MEAN tech stack is further of two types, MEAN and MERN. MERN uses React as a front-end framework, whereas MEAN uses Vue.js as a front-end framework instead of Angular.js.
Key aspects of MEAN!
- It uses only a single programming language, JavaScript.
- MEAN allows you to deploy applications directly to the server.
- It is compatible with the cloud and has a huge library of modules.
- MEAN does not have any testing suite.
2. LAMP
If you plan to build a heavy website with loads of traffic, you can rely on the LAMP tech stack. Just like MEAN, LAMP features numerous technologies that help tune a highly effective website. LAMP has the following technologies!
- Linux: Linux is a revolutionary OS that has tremendous capabilities due to its open-source nature. Unlike Windows, Linux allows developers to work on their unique ideas with endless customisation.
- Apache: Apache is a cross-platform server that can handle traffic loads. The key thing about Apache is its modularity. The server can be customised as per the need and to optimise performance.
- MySQL: MySQL is an out-of-the-box database management system that stores and presents data in an organised form. Though it is easy to scale, its performance is affected when operated with larger databases.
- PHP/Perl/Python: All three of these are programming languages that can help you program the most reactive website. All of them are fast but have varying learning curves.
LAMP is one of the common technology stacks for web development. However, there are some changes based on the operating system used. If you want to use the Windows operating system for making the website, the tech stack becomes WAMP.
On the other hand, if you are making the app for macOS, the tech stack will be LAMP.
Key aspects of LAMP!
- LAMP is easy to use for beginners.
- The LAMP tech stack is highly flexible, and you can change the components of the stack as required.
- The tech stack is light on your pocket.
- There can be performance issues due to shared servers.
4. Django
If you have heard about python, you would surely have heard of Django. Django is an exhaustive tech stack with python as a programming language, and Django has a web framework. Other than that, the server and database can be chosen based on user preference.
Here is what a Django tech stack includes!
- Django: Django is a one-in-all framework prioritising clean code and rapid development. The best thing is that it is compatible with web hosting providers and databases.
- Python: Python is an extensible and easy-to-learn programming language that helps develop powerful applications with easy-to-write code.
- Apache: Apache is a cross-platform server that seamlessly handles huge volumes of traffic. A top pro of the Apache server is that it is modular, as it can be customised to improve performance.
- MySQL: Database management is an essential part of website building and management. MySQL is a database management system that stores and presents the data in the most organised form.
Key aspects of Django!
- Django is a bit difficult to learn.
- The tech stack has a set of extensive third-party libraries.
- Django allows superfast development.
- Django supports internalisation and localisation.
Django supports internalisation and localisation.
- .NET: .NET is leveraged by developers to create dynamic websites. The tech stack has over 60 frameworks and platforms. Other than that, the framework also has numerous CLI languages.
- Ruby on Rails: It is a web framework that is used with other technologies like Javascript, CSS, and HTML. It is best for startups that plan to build database-backed websites.
- React Native: The comprehensive tech stack consists of numerous unheard names like Redux, Storybook, Jes, Redux Persist, etc. The combination of these helps developers create cross-platform mobile apps.
How to Choose the Right Tech Stack for Your Website?
As there are a lot of technology stacks, it becomes a bit difficult to choose one. However, if you have your needs clear in mind, you can easily shortlist one. Other than needs, here are some critical aspects to consider while choosing a tech stack for your websites!
1. Business preferences:
The primary aspect based on which you can shortlist the tech stack is personal preferences. First, you need to decide what audience you want to serve. Based on their needs and your preferences, shortlist the tech stack. If you want a lightweight website, ready in less time, you can go for a ready-made environment tech stack.
2. Project scope:
The number two aspect of choosing the right tech stack is project scope. Some technologies are only ideal for traffic-heavy websites. Hence, if you use it for a light website, the result would be great, but it may not be cost-effective. Make sure you analyse the scope of the project before shortlisting the tech stack, as it will help you improve functionality and manage costs.
3. Time to hit the market:
The choice of tech stack heavily relies on how quickly you want your website up and ready. If you want to make a website functional in less time, you can go for ready-to-use solutions that have libraries and code templates in them. Ruby on Rails is an awesome choice for this. If you have time and want to build a robust website, go for no code stack, as you are open to using multiple technologies in it.
4. Scalability scope:
It is obvious that in the near future, you will be required to scale the website. Hence, it is best to choose a tech stack that can help you scale. For example, LAMP, Ruby, and .NET tech stacks are easy to scale. You can either scale vertically (by adding features to your website) or horizontally (by boosting the number of physical machines like servers).
5. Security:
Not all technologies are built the same. The same applies to tech stacks. In an era where cyberattacks are very common, using tech stacks like MEAN and MERN can be of great use as they are the most secure.
Conclusion
So, these are some of the tech stacks and best practices for selecting technology stacks for websites. If you are up for making an awesome website for your brand, do make a fine choice after carefully analysing every aspect.
If you are perplexed about choosing the ideal tech stack for your website, you can contact 10x Digital Group. We are a group of trained professionals that excel at handling queries related to tech stacks and their management. We can help you choose the right tech stack for your website. For assistance, get in touch with us.
