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Steps to build a single-page application

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Image of Woman using single page application

While browsing the internet, you’ll quickly notice that most websites operate the same way. You click on the button, and it takes you further down the website. 

While it’s a time-proven method of creating a web app, the market shift towards user-centric experiences and high interactivity demands a new approach to web page design.

This market shift has resulted in Single-Page Applications (SPAs). In this article, we’ll discuss how to build SPAs, their benefits, and how they compare to traditional web pages.

Image of Man at work on code of single-page application

What is a single-page app?

A single-page application (SPA) is a type of web app that provides users with all the information on one page. Usually, SPAs are designed to replicate desktop or native apps and are highly responsive. 

To add some technical detail, a single-page application uses only one HTML page that is heavily modified through JavaScript and CSS code. From the browser perspective, this makes it much easier to load initially and update the page based on user interaction.

High responsiveness and fast updates result from Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (Ajax). In short, it delegates all the web page updates to the server instead of relying on the traditional method — linking. 

SPA or SPI?

Some people might think that SPAs aren’t new. This is understandable, as single-page interfaces (SPIs) have existed since the beginning of the Internet. 

However, SPIs are static and don’t allow advanced interactions. Comparing the two is like comparing landing pages or portfolios to social networks and dashboards.

  • SPA is a dynamic and interactive application that simulates a native-like experience;
  • SPI refers to a simple, static web page without complex interactions.

 

Knowing the difference, another question arises: do single-page applications hold compared to traditional websites?

Image of code for single page application architecture

Traditional websites vs single-page apps

Traditional websites rely on linking to give users interactivity. Pretty much every new click will transfer you to another web page reflecting the user’s actions. 

As we already established, single-page applications do not rely on this technique. But other than a different approach to interactivity, what else is distinct about SPAs?

Page loading and navigation

In traditional websites, each user interaction requires a full page reload. For example, while browsing an online store, each click on the shopping cart or the item will send you to another webpage.

That’s because traditional websites use multiple HTML files that reflect actions a user might take. 

On the other hand, single-page apps use only one HTML file and rely on JavaScript’s dynamic capabilities and technologies like Ajax. They do not reload pages because every user action actually changes the webpage content.

Performance

Traditional websites’ performance relies on the user’s internet connection and server response times. Additionally, performance might suffer due to the site’s size, as larger websites might use more resources trying to “predict” and load all potential users’ actions.

Single-page applications work differently. Since it’s only one page, they don’t have to load any other pages, and all user actions are handled by server requests. They have faster transitions and are more responsive.

Complexity

Traditional websites are fairly simple. They don’t require any complex logic from the client, and the complexity of their structure depends on the number of HTML pages. 

On top of that, traditional websites don’t rely on advanced technologies and frameworks to function. Every function or feature means just another HTML page or script.

Single-page applications are far more complex. They require intricate client-side development to manage the app’s state. Needless to say, testing and debugging are harder as well. SPA’s development also involves frameworks to create interactive elements.

Search engine optimisation (SEO)

Search engine optimisation influences the amount of users your website will have. Traditional websites are easier to optimise since every page has a unique link, and search engines favour multiple HTML pages.

Single-page applications might struggle with optimisation since dynamic content might not be visible to engine bots, but this obstacle is already been addressed. 

To deal with poor visibility to search engines, developers use server-side rendering (SSR) or any type of dynamic rendering. In short, this allows search engine bots to see all the page’s content instead of the basic page.

Offline work

As we know, traditional websites require an internet connection to function. Without it, the user will only see an already loaded page, and almost every interaction will cause a webpage not to respond.

SPAs, however, have more offline functionality. They store parts of the webpage in the browser’s cache, meaning the user can still access some features. Most single-page applications are also used as progressive web apps (PWAs) that allow offline browsing, push notifications, and other features.

Image of single page application architecture

To sum up

Single-page applications are harder to develop, but they are faster and can work offline. Since traditional websites are still the biggest part of the internet, SPAs are a bit harder to optimise for search engines, but they provide a better user experience. Here’s a direct comparison.

Single-page application Traditional website
Page loading
Dynamic content loading
Full-page reload on each request
User experience
Highly interactive, fast and smooth
Feels slower and disjointed
Performance
Fast after the initial load
Slower due to full reloads
Development Complexity
Complex, requires client-side frameworks
Straightforward for small, static websites
Offline Functionality
Paired with PWAs, provide offline functionality
Limited offline capabilities
SEO
Requires additional optimisation techniques
Easy to optimise
Mobile Optimization
Smooth mobile interactions
Requires responsive redesign for mobile
Scalability
Easier to scale by adding dynamic components
New pages require full re-architecture

How to build a single-page application in seven steps

Knowing the nuances of SPAs, let’s talk about how to build them. Overall, the development process is a complex task that might change depending on the business needs. However, the general outline is always the same.

Image of brainstorming preparation for creating a single page application

Step 1: Research

To build anything, you need to learn how it functions. While we covered the main differences, you must also look at your competitors, analyse their offerings, and see the user response.

Market trend analysis will also help you understand what is currently popular and what will be popular soon.

Step 2: Choosing the development team

It’s completely possible to build a single-page application using only your in-house developers. However, this process requires specialists with very specific talent.

The development team you’re looking for should have talent that knows how to work with client-side frameworks and has advanced knowledge of JavaScript.

We at Altamira have extensive knowledge of creating various web applications, including SPAs. Learn more about our development services here.

Step 3: The design

Design creation usually occurs during development and is handled by the same team. Ensure that the design aligns with your business’s branding and needs. 

Usually, the design undergoes a couple of iterations before deployment. This is why creating UI/UX should be a collaborative effort between your business and the development team. Just like with the development, your feedback will heavily impact the looks of your future single-page app.

Step 4: The development

The development begins based on the data gathered during the research phase. Depending on your needs, the development team will choose the most suitable tools to build your SPA. 

Another factor heavily influencing the development process is the chosen methodology. It will most likely be Agile since it ensures fast development and flexibility in adapting to changing business needs.

Step 5: Testing

Testing is important to ensure the user experience with your single-page application will be bug-free. It usually starts as soon as the first prototypes of your future app are ready. 

The sooner testing starts, the faster time-to-market your web app will have. Usually, two ways to test the app are manual and automatic. 

Manual testing relies on human QA testers to ensure your SPA is bug-free. It covers features and the common interactions between the user and the app. 

Automated testing conducts in-depth quality assurance and can run multiple tests at once. This method is faster than manual testing but is far from cheap.

Step 6: Deployment

The SPA is ready for deployment once the development team is finished with testing. This phase is critical and requires careful monitoring of the app’s performance and user reaction. 

Step 7: Maintenance

After the launch, fix any bugs users might encounter in your single-page app and roll out updates depending on your business needs. Quality maintenance of the SPA will extend its life cycle and generate profit for a longer time.

Image of code for single page apps

Final words

Single-page applications are the new way of creating web pages. They perform better than traditional web pages and provide a more pleasant user experience. To top it off, SPAs can function in the offline mode

How Altamira can help

The single-page application development is not an easy task. It requires more skill than traditional websites and knowledge of client-side frameworks. Luckily, you have found us! Altamira is a perfect candidate for SPA development, and here’s why:

Over 10 years of experience: Over the decade, Altamira has gathered an expert team of developers that deliver high-quality projects, including single-page applications. Check out our extensive portfolio to learn more;

A database of ready-to-use components: We can rapidly assemble and customise solutions for your needs. Our extensive arsenal of already-made elements and components accelerates the development speed without quality loss;

Expertise in non-functional and security requirements: Backed up by deep understanding and a decade of addressing non-functional issues, requirements like performance, scalability, and maintainability aren’t challenging for us. Our goal is a smooth and efficient performance under any condition.

Get a free consultation and learn more about how your project can become a reality with us.

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