When talking about front-end development, we refer to what the user of the product will see. Without a properly functioning front-end, users won’t be able to access system functions from the back-end. Front-end is more than just graphic design, it’s about the user interface and access to the systems.
What Exactly Is Front-End?
The main components in a front-end system are HTML, CSS, JavaScript and a front-end framework, they allow the browser to read, display, and/or run. HTML (HyperText Markup Language) will communicate with the browser about the content of the page and to then transmit text, images and even video. It’s like the middleman between what the user sees and enters and the system.
When it comes to displaying elements on the page, we rely on CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). It is what is required to build the front-end and so JavaScript is added, essential for running a program script on the client-side, a necessary part of all web-oriented systems.
Today, the front-end framework will allow for JavaScript or Typescript to generate forms, graphics, 3D content, video, and more.
Understanding Front-End Development
Again, through the use of JavaScript, CSS and HTML, data is converted into a graphical interface enabling users to view and interact with the data. Development should provide access to system functions and above all make it convenient for the users. Here are some of the things front-end should provide:
- Presentation- deliver all required HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so that the site opens quickly
- Interactivity- input and output so that the user can interact with the system
- Be available- front-end has to be able to run on the highest possible number of devices
- Be switchable- front-end must be able to switch to new standards when released, like version 5 of HTML.
For optimal front-end development, developers must use the attest frameworks and tools as well as test automation and continuous integration.
Front-End Frameworks that Can Be Used with Outsourcing Teams
- Angular- the framework specializes in full-fledged single-page. Created by Google, it is also well respected by other tech giants. It uses Typescript and is very simple to use but it is larger than other frameworks.
- React- React is actually a library but it’s too good not to include- just look at Facebook. Development is carried out on JSX, a version of JavaScript. It makes working with a web page in a browser much easier.
- Vue.js- it’s flexible and simple to integrate into current projects. It is an ideal solution for complex applications without incurring high costs.
- Ember- used by Google, Microsoft and Netflix, Ember comes with practical features including two-way binding.
- Backbone-this is a lightweight MVC-like framework. It relies on the Underscore library, but it does have an incredibly rich ecosystem.
How Does Outsourcing Front-End Development Compare to In-House?
- It’s cost-effective
Sometimes, hiring fulltime front-end developers leads to idle downtime. You may need a large team for some areas of the development but then fewer members for maintenance or error correction. This leaves in-house staff looking for other tasks. Outsourcing allows you to hire the right sized team for your needs without the associated costs of hiring full-time employees.
- Scalability
Typically, there are uneven workloads in front-end development and mangers struggle to cope with the continuous need to adjust scale the team up or down. Outsourcing allows you to add the desired number of team members for the necessary amount of time.
- Additional expertise
Teams take time to create a bond and work efficiently together. Outsourcing allows you to bring on a team member for specific skills and often more experienced to speed up the process, even providing your in-house team with additional training.
- Front-End Development is a suitable task to be outsourced
Front-end development requires a solid plan and common sense. As long as communication between frontend and backend remains open, it is easy to integrate the two systems.
- Outsourcing teams can follow up with QA and Automated Testing
Testing must be carried out in a multitude of browsers and after each change is made. QA and automated testing are essential to deliver a first-class product and has to be included in the planning stage.
Why Should You Consider Outsourcing Front-End Development?
User Expectations of Front-end
Today’s users have extremely high expectations of all aspects of front-end. It makes sense t hire outsourcing teams who are better able to deliver a product that meets or exceeds the user’s expectations.
You can increase the skill of your Front-end Team
It could be that your current team doesn’t have the right skill or knowledge to cover all the specialties of front-end development. Outsourcing can increase certain skills within your team without the need to hire full-time employees, which may be hard to find.
Up-to-date skill sets
Your team may have to spread their skills and learning over different areas. Outsourced front-end developers are specialized in front-end and therefore they are dedicated to keeping up to date the latest solutions in and updates in the commonly used frameworks.
You free up time
Once you have created a strong plan and your front-end development is being outsourced, you know that while you can still keep an eye on the progress, you can actually free up a significant amount of time that can be used for other core business areas.
Potential Cons of Outsourcing Front-end Development
The first possible issue is when you choose an outsourcing team that may not have the necessary skill to complete your front-end development. This must include every stage from building to testing. Before work actually begins, it is essential that you have outlined the task, in detail, and selected the right framework.
There may also be problems if your front-end is far superior to your back-end, the two systems will integrate poorly as there will be no balance. Make sure the outsourcing team are fully aware of the front-end and back-end integration points.
In Conclusion
Users might not appreciate the complexities of front-end development, after all, they want a user interface that works well. It takes a lot of time and money to develop a front-end for your project that due to the constant changes in technology, a great deal of specialization in recent framework versions. Outsourcing front-end development will allow you to reduce costs, gain more expertise, speed up delivery, and create a partnership that will last.
