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What is Web Portal Development?
Web portal designing and development refers to the creation and maintenance of any centralized platform that effectively serves as a gateway between consumers, resources and other information over the internet. It majorly involves web app programming, responsive software for web designing, tools for designing, user experience, content management system (CMS via Joomla, WordPress), database management, server configuration, website traffic analytics, interactive features such as dashboards, avatars, aspects such as frontend, backend, and more. It enhances user engagement, simplifies their access, ensures the security of sensitive user data against cybersecurity threats, data breaches, malware and assists organizations and individuals in meeting their business goals.
Given the importance of website portal development in building a strong online presence, aiding in connecting businesses with potential customers globally, boosting brand credibility and competitiveness for overall growth, the global web portal development services market value was estimated to be US $65.35 billion as of 2023 and is projected to reach an approximate size of US $130.9 billion by 2032, soaring at a CAGR of 8.03% during this period.
Increasing market size of web portal development services
Fundamentals of Web Portal Development
Distinctions between Website & Web Portal
A website refers to collective webpages hosted on a server and registered under a single domain, whereas a web portal acts as a single access point for various types of information related to a range of services from different sources for multiple authenticated users. A web portal offers personalized services that involve user-specific authentication, access and manage options to multiple applications or systems from one location, whereas a website simply provides general information and promotes products/services via static or dynamic content that is accessible to the public. A website can be easily accessed by every internet user round the clock unless restricted by admin or set to local members only.
A website usually offers limited user interaction through one-way communication, while a web portal allows more customizations, such as personalized themes, interfaces, preferred content filters and backgrounds etc. An example of a web portal would be a university portal with personalized services for students, faculty, staff etc. after login. On the other hand, a news channel might have a website that displays current news across the globe, features e-newsletter subscriptions, or a stock monitoring system, although both utilize technologies such as web development frameworks, programming languages, server logic etc. Every website has an Internet Protocol (IP) address, a unique set of numbers separated by decimal points that serves as a device identity on the internet. Although for the ease of access against large numeric strings, domain names are assigned to the same by every web portal development company.
Another related term to this concept is Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), that acts as the foundation of data communication over the internet by enabling informational transfer between a given browser and a server. Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) version encrypts data for handling sensitive information and safe online transmission. One can observe the same placed before World Wide Web (WWW) in the domain names, which is a global network of interconnected websites and other resources that allow users to gain access to global information and interact over the internet with the help of hyperlinks and browsers.
Types of Web Portal Development Services
Custom Portal Development
This type of portal involves the development of tailored applications that can meet the requirements of a specific project, organization or business. They can easily accommodate complex workflows, provide real-time updates on progress or transit, live data processing etc. other than basic website functionalities.
Dynamic Web Portal Development
Visitors can modify a dynamic web portal in terms of content, user interactions and data inputs as these can generate real-time content based on backend systems. These include complex sites such as social media, e-commerce app development and platforms etc.
Portal Front end Development
Every B2B and B2C portal development company makes sure that the portal represents interactive visuals at the front end. This development covers the layout, design and user interface using programming languages like HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue.js, and web frameworks/tools including Bootstrap, SASS, AJAX, jQuery etc. to ensure smooth functioning across various browsers, devices etc.
Embedded Portal Development
This type of portal development involves building interfaces for controlling Internet of Things (IoT) and other hardware devices through web browsers.
Static Web Portal Development
These are comparatively simpler than dynamic web portals and consist of fixed content that can be changed by admins only when updated manually using HTML, CSS etc. These can be easily hosted on servers and are ideal for smaller projects or pages with informational content that need not be updated frequently.
Sample web portal architecture developed by B2B and B2C portal development company
Backend Portal Development
This type of portal development focuses on the server, databases, user request management, server logic handling for running the portal etc. using programming languages like PHP, Node.js, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Python, Ruby, Representational State Transfer (REST), Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) for application programming interfaces (APIs) that connect social media platforms, payment gateways and web frameworks/tools including Django, Flask, Ruby on Rails, Express.js, Spring etc.
Desktop Portal Development
This type of portal development revolves around the creation of responsive designs specifically for desktop and laptop users, such that the portals appear to fit seamlessly over such devices and provide a more detailed experience.
Full Stack Portal Development
A web portal development company smoothly integrates front end and back end for full stack development and assures that all aspects of a web portal and the development process meet the required standards, right from designing UI/UX to server and database management.
PWA Portal Development
Progressive Web Application development and maintenance combines both web and mobile functionalities. It includes an enhanced mobile app-like experience over a web browser, showcasing features such as offline working, quick loading time and addition on the home screen without downloading it from any app store.
Mobile Portal Development
The primary objective of a web portal development company in this case is to make the portal function smoothly over mobiles, smartphones, phablets and tablets by adjusting to their specific screen sizes dynamically. This assures responsiveness and a seamless browsing experience for such device users.
Web Portal Security
Customized services ensure that the web portals and applications developed are protected against cyber security threats like hacking, malware, data breaches, SQL injection, cross-site request forgery (CSRF), cross-site scripting (XSS), and others by using strong encryption and security protocols.
Types of Website Portal Development
On the basis of purpose, functionalities, page content, audience or users, web portals can be of the following types –
Service Portals
These types of portals offer online web application development services for their specific target audience, such as for booking tours and travels, educational or e-learning, searching jobs, banking or e-commerce etc. They offer customer support, resources and other solutions related to certain service areas. They are user-centric in nature and get modified as per changing user demands or technical advancements. A few examples include LinkedIn, PayPal, Google Workspace, Zendesk, MyChart, Amazon integrated with cloud-based ERP system, Netflix, Spotify etc.
Industry Vertical Portals
Web portal development services can assist in designing vertical portals that include industry or specific niche-related information. These are necessary for an organization, per se to convey valuable information and cater to its customers or visitors regarding its services in that particular industry or respective field. It can also portray information, expert opinions, detailed articles, discussion forums etc. for knowledge-only purposes against commercial intent. Few examples include WebMD, Expedia, Educaweb, Indeed, Autotrader, Houzz, Travelocity, Zillow, Crunchbase, GitHub, AllRecipes, Stack Overflow, fleet management system and more.
Enterprise-related Portals
These types of web portals offer organizational teams, employees, stakeholders, supply chain executives, clients etc. centralized access to internal applications, tools, corporate-specific information etc. They hold various purposes, such as project collaboration, better workflow, faster outcomes and improved production. These can showcase various departmental functions like human resource management, document or database management, complaint and customer relationship management, financial accounting, vendor management and other integrations. Few examples include Microsoft SharePoint, IBM WebSphere, SAP Enterprise, Oracle WebCenter, Jive, Liferay, Salesforce, ServiceNow, G Suite, Facebook Workplace, medical inventory management system etc.
Horizontal Portals
Custom portal development also includes designing horizontal web portals that include a comprehensive spectrum of topics such as finance, news, sports, weather, social media, real estate, entertainment and other industries/sectors to a wider audience and diverse range of users, who can also customize their experience or home feed as per their interests. Few examples include Yahoo, MSN, Google etc.
Marketplaces
Virtual marketplace portals display various products offered by vendors across the globe and act as intermediary platforms between online buyers and sellers. Customers can explore a plethora of options, compare prices, features, offers, availability, ratings, reviews, images, coupons, purchase methods etc. all in one platform. Vendors can benefit from access to a wider customer base for gaining profits. Few examples include Amazon, Flipkart, Alibaba, Etsy, Airbnb, eBay, Uber, Rakuten, Craigslist, Upwork, Fiverr etc.
Steps of Website Portal Development
One must consider the cost of the same, which varies according to the number, types of custom application development services and features required, project scope, portal complexity, portal type, scalability requirements as per expanding business, longevity of ongoing maintenance, bug fixing and server hosting. Given below is a systematic process of designing and developing these portals –
- User Requirement: The development team gathers the detailed business requirements and analyses them as per target audiences and revenue goals through consecutive meetings with the clients. They gain an in-depth understanding of user expectations, portal functionalities, necessary features and others.
- Feasibility Analysis: Post this, the team chooses a suitable tech stack including frameworks, programming languages, DBMS, platforms for hosting etc. to align with the project. This analysis involves factors such as budget, scalability, maintenance schedules, tech expertise etc.
- Frontend Development: UI/UX designers create a customized responsive layout during web portal development that features smooth navigation throughout the portal for an intuitive user experience across multiple devices and screen sizes. The major steps involved are wireframing, prototyping and accessible layout designing using tools like Photoshop, Sketch, Figma, Adobe XD etc.
- Portal Development: Once designing is done, front and backend development begins, which includes the integration of all approved functionalities and smooth to-and-fro communication between both ends. The development tools involved are common text editors and Integrated Developer Environments (IDEs) (Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, Atom), version control systems (Git, GitHub), browser developer tools (Chrome or Firefox developer tools), task runner and build tools (Gulp, Grunt) etc.
Upcoming trends in custom portal development
- Testing: The next major step is assuring the quality of the developed portal through rigorous testing measures such as usability, reliability, functionality, performance, compatibility testing etc. for checking, resolving bugs, performance issues and security vulnerabilities. Some testing tools involved are debugging tools (Firebug), content management systems (WordPress, Drupal), website testing tools (Selenium) etc.
- Deployment: The web portal is deployed on the client’s system or a real environment prior to market launch through activities such as server hosting and domain configuration. This also involves user feedback and portal improvisation for an overall smooth experience.
- Maintenance: Post market launch, maintenance schedules are vital to keep the portal updated, secure and aligned with user needs through user support, performance monitoring etc.
Advantages of Web Portal Development Services
Enhanced Efficiency: By centralizing data and communication platforms, web portals improve real-time collaboration between stakeholders, technical teams, project management teams, IT and operations teams, departments, other employees, clients etc. for streamlining the entire development process, task tracking, saving decision-making time, improving productivity and reducing errors.
Better User Experience: Web portals offer tailored user experiences as per their business needs through intuitive user interfaces. All stakeholders can easily search for required information through custom navigation settings, dashboards, content filters etc. for improved user satisfaction across multiple device types.
Data Security: Web portal development eases data management measures by integrating information from different sources to a centralized system for enhanced access, accuracy, maintenance and consistency. Portals are secured with multi-factor authentication (MFA), data encryption and role-based access against threats.
Boosted Revenue: These portals increase revenue opportunities and improve business growth through personalized product recommendations as per user preferences, logistics inventory management and tracking, payment gateways etc. They enhance customer relations through user requirement analysis for devising effective marketing strategies and user retention.
Scalable Modules: Web portals allow scalability, versatility and flexibility in terms of architecture, features, functionalities, modules, integration with third-party applications and adaptation to changing technical or organizational ecosystems.
Craft Digital Experiences with KritiKal
Web portals play a vital role in any business’ operations and continuously getting redefined by trends that are influenced by AI-driven experiences, next-gen tech integrations, enhanced privacy and more. Developers must keep in mind the key objectives, requirements, target audience and market conditions prior to custom portal development. It is important to understand each and every step for the same including challenges related to security (unauthorized access, malware, cyber security threats, data breaches), scalability (Big Data, website traffic), integrations (third-party applications, data inconsistencies, operational inefficiencies) and best practices for the same.
KritiKal Solutions can assist you in developing protected high-performing web portals that can handle, manage and secure users’ sensitive data without any compromise. We not only design, develop and implement HTTPS on customized web portals, but also provide extensive software updates, firewalls, storage backups, attack prevention, legacy app modernization, migration and maintenance services to keep up the notch in the competitive market and build customer trust. We assure implementation of best practices prior to, during and post-development including multi-factor authentication, data encryption, scalable architecture, data exchange protocols, agile technologies, iterative development, swift adjustments, continuous feedback, AI pattern recognition, user-centric and intuitive designs with user persona research and usability testing. We have built several web portals for numerous SMBs, Fortune 500 companies, startups and more across the globe and can assist you in designing and transparently developing high-quality, functional web portals at affordable costs. Please get in touch with us at sales@kritikalsolutions.com to discuss your requirements.
Jyoti Bansal currently works as a Software developer at KritiKal Solutions. She has hands–on experience in full–stack development using React, React Native, Node, MySQL, Bootstrap, and Tailwind CSS. She has extensive experience in building scalable, high-performance applications capable of solving real-world complex problems. With her passion to learn and adapt to new technologies, she has helped KritiKal in delivering various projects to some notable clients.