What is Back-End Web Development?

Back end web development is the part of web development that focuses on the back end, or “server-side,” functions of websites. Python and JavaScript are key programming languages for this subject, but most programmers can start on back end web development with JavaScript alone. In this overview, you’ll learn more about back end web development, what you can do with it, and how to approach learning it to help determine how to add this skill to your professional toolbox. 

What Can You Do with Back End Web Development?

While front end web development focuses on the parts of websites that users see, back end web development handles most of its functions. Back-end web development skills are essential when it comes to organizing, cataloging, and saving (or deleting) data. Without these skills, websites are static and lifeless. You’ll need to use back end web development to ensure that your site meets modern standards and user expectations. Front-end-only websites might lead to user frustration if the site is intended for complex uses such as data retrieval. 

Back end web development allows websites to store login information and prevent user frustration from forgetting their password when they revisit your site. If you’ve accidentally logged out of essential websites after clearing your cache, you know how much of a headache it can be to re-login to every site you visit. Your users will appreciate the ease of access to their accounts, which will help enhance their overall user experience.

How Much Does Back End Web Development Cost?

Back end web development is free and open-source, which means it’s publicly available for use and modification. All aspects of web development and the programming languages surrounding it—Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and the associated coding libraries—are also free and open-source. Once you have a foundation in these subjects, you’re set to work on your projects without worrying about costs. 

It’s best to take a course or certificate program in back end web development before you try to work on it as a career. Depending on the training facility you use to learn back end web development, the costs for learning back end web development can vary. 

If you’re planning to create your own website, you’ll need to pay fees to maintain it. Most hosting sites have a low monthly fee, generally around $10 to $20. Domain names, the website's name on the URL, also have a yearly fee. Most people use WordPress, but you can research the service that works best for you. 

After you’ve learned everything and set up your website, you won’t have to worry about further costs and are free to focus on your projects. 

What Are the Benefits of Learning Back End Web Development?

Back end web development makes it possible for websites and apps to come to life. Without this part of web development, all pages would be static, unmoving, and—most importantly—unengaging. By using the back end of websites, you’ll be able to customize websites that can adapt to their user’s needs and retain important information that they’ll repeatedly access. 

For example, if your website is a forum like Reddit, the back end of websites can help store their login information so they can jump right into the website without needing to re-enter their password constantly. That tiny difference can drastically affect how much time a user spends on a platform. Even the most primitive back end programs can greatly impact how well a website runs, and it only takes JavaScript knowledge to get started. 

Read more about why you should learn back end web development. 

Back End Web Development Careers

Back end web development is helpful for any industry that uses websites in any capacity. That means nearly any industry will be able to make use of back end web development skills. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, demand for websites is rapidly increasing, and there’s no limit to the applications these skills will have. 

Web development will come in handy even if your primary career isn’t in the computer sciences. Schools, services, restaurants, law firms, and government departments need websites to communicate effectively with the public and their internal offices. If a website doesn’t function correctly, that can lead to delays, which can have significant repercussions in our fast-paced world. You don’t have to be an expert—any web development knowledge will go a long way in enhancing your career.

How to Learn Back End Web Development

Back end web development focuses on everything that users can’t see on websites, and back end skills are essential for making websites function to modern standards. It’s important to know these concepts if you plan to make your own website or work for a company that relies on servers for its services. Of course, before you can start applying to positions, you’ll want to sign up for a back end web development class that can show you the ropes. 

One of the easiest ways to learn the fundamentals is through live online back end web development courses. When you’re under a tight schedule and every second counts, those extra minutes saved from your commute become incredibly valuable. This training format allows you to learn from the comfort of your home or on the go. You’ll also work with an expert in real time that can answer your questions as they arise.

Naturally, you might want to learn back end web development now, but your obligations and schedules make it difficult to start at this moment. Luckily, you can still learn through a wide variety of self-paced resources. 

Check out the web development and web design video tutorial playlist to get an overview of these topics when you have a break in your routine—the Intro to Node video tutorial is particularly useful for anyone specifically interested in back end web development. If you prefer reading over videos, check out Noble Desktop’s Back End Web Development Learn Hub, an online catalog of resources you can use to guide your studies every step of the way. 

Read the full guide on how to learn back end web development.

Comparable Fields

Naturally, back end web development is closely related to front end web development. Think of it as the opposite side of the coin. While back end web development focuses on the server-side, front end web development focuses on the “client-side” of websites, which are the parts of websites that people can see when they log onto the site. Learning web development as a whole is a good idea since it covers both fields. 

It’s also worth looking into JavaScript because many back end programmers rely on it and its adjacent programs, such as React.js and Node.js. JavaScript has uses in other areas, such as front end web development and software engineering, so it’s a good idea to specialize in JavaScript if you plan to expand your skill set. Python is another noteworthy programming language that Back End Web Developers commonly use and is a good choice if you plan to explore machine learning and algorithms in your career. 

Learn Back End Web Development with Hands-on Training at Noble Desktop

Learning back end web development is pretty straightforward, and the process can become easier when working with a well-prepared training facility. Noble Desktop has taught live online back end web development classes and other computer science subjects for over 30 years. They’re an excellent choice when you’re looking to expand your career or start a new one. 

Those fully invested in learning back end web development and related subjects will enjoy taking a Full Stack Web Development Certificate program. This program teaches both front end and back end principles, which will allow you to enter a wide variety of roles. You can also look into a JavaScript Programming Bootcamp since JavaScript is an important skill for back end web development and most other website-related fields. The more you know about these subjects, the better off you’ll be in the long run.

Key Insights

• Back end web development handles the back end, or “server-side,” of websites.
• It’s closely related to front end web development, which is the opposite side of the coin.
• Most Back End Web Developers are proficient in JavaScript and Python.
• You can receive comprehensive back end web development training through an in-person or live online course with Noble Desktop.