Forecasting the Web Development Climate
By Jessica Lowery / Technology
The Heat Wave of AI
AI is the latest, most prominent and exciting new technology on the scene, and it’s already being integrated into our daily lives. AI is already starting to help us save time and find information more effectively. We’re starting to see more chatbots when we visit websites, ready with common information and answers for frequently asked questions. AI automatically jumps in to help with Google searches now, supplying a summary of information from various sources at the top of the screen as soon as a search is done.
AI is making coding on the back end more efficient, helping to automate tedious, repetitive tasks such as:
- Writing common programming functions
- Creating a basic structure for a website
- Refactoring & cleaning up code
AI’s influence on society has never been more pronounced. Since ChatGPT became a ubiquitous feature on computer desktops in late 2022, the rapid development and deployment of generative AI and large language model (LLM) tools have started to transform industries and show the potential to touch many aspects of modern life.
The AI market is projected to reach a staggering $1,339 billion by 2030.
Everyone is talking about AI & the changes it’s bringing, but what else is trending in the forecast?
While AI is certainly everywhere in the news, it’s not the only technology gaining popularity in web development. The Python programming language, several ever-evolving JavaScript frameworks, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), no-code and low-code solutions, & alternate reality (AR) are also on the watchlist this year.
Python
The Python programming language has already been gaining momentum and is predicted to continue its roll (slither?). It’s beginner-friendly, easy to learn and has many uses. Python is an extremely versatile programming language used in AI, machine learning, automation, web development, game development, & building software. Used mostly in back-end programming to provide application functionality & access to databases, APIs, & SDKs, it can bring information from other sources directly into your project.
- Use cases: web development, machine learning & AI, software development, automation
As of 2024, Python is among the top five most widely used programming languages globally.
Its popularity continues to rise, with significant use in AI and machine learning applications.
JavaScript Frameworks: React
React has remained steadily popular for several years now & this will continue in 2025. React is a flexible, component-based framework used mostly for single-page applications (SPAs). It is compatible with several third-party libraries that increase its ecosystem & add functionality. Mobile apps can also be developed using React Native.
- Use cases: data-driven applications such as e-commerce & social media feeds, single-page applications (SPAs), mobile apps, user interfaces with interactive elements such as forms & maps
JavaScript Frameworks: Angular
Angular is another JS framework that can be used for building both web & mobile applications. It is component-based, like React, & is built on a Model-View-Controller architecture, which separates design & functionality & helps with organization.
- Use cases: single-page applications (SPAs), progressive web apps (PWAs), e-commerce, web applications that rely on frequently-changing dynamic data such as real-time displays
Angular is used by around 15.1% of developers globally.
JavaScript Framework: Vue
Vue is also component-based with a stable ecosystem. It is simple to learn, lightweight, & has excellent documentation. Vue’s modularity makes it easy to integrate into existing projects.
- Use cases: single-page applications (SPAs), enterprise applications that use a modular approach, integrating functionality into existing HTML sites
Vue.js is used by approximately 18.8% of developers worldwide.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) are a new type of application that is a hybrid between a traditional website & a mobile app. They include offline capabilities, faster loading times, & can be installed on devices. They are also compatible across devices so only one version needs to be built, versus native mobile apps that require different versions for Android or iOS. This also means PWAs can be more cost-effective.
- Use cases: e-commerce, healthcare, travel, music education, communication from a business to their audience
Augmented Reality (AR) Immersive Technology
With AI freeing up time for more complex coding solutions, we will start seeing more impressive website features using WebAR. Users can experience Augmented Reality (AR) directly in the browser for easier engagement without downloading an app. WebAR sites are shareable via URL addresses just like other websites. Content can include 3D models, audio, video, text, & images.
- Use cases: virtual tours, real estate, immersive education & training, retail & shopping, entertainment & gaming
Less Code/No-Code Solutions
We are trending toward writing less code for generic & tedious tasks & automating these processes instead so we can focus on more problem-solving & coding individual solutions. Less-code and No-code solutions are site and app builders that use visual interfaces to drag and drop content blocks.
However, this does not necessarily mean that someone with no coding experience can build an entire ready-to-ship website with all the functionality needed for their specific business. These platforms are helpful as a starting point for building prototypes & adding content, but integration between platforms, security, SEO, optimization & fine-tuning styling all require a developer’s expertise.
- Use cases: starting point for a website or mobile app
Contact us if you’d like to explore any of these solutions! We have experience in WordPress, Squarespace, HTML/CSS/JavaScript sites, JavaScript frameworks, Python, automation and more and are always adding more skills to our vault!