Hi and welcome to this week’s web design video blog. Today, we’re going to briefly talk about ‘Open Source Web Design’ and look at the advantages for both clients and developers. Firstly, we’re going to explain what Open Source web design is; in comparison to bespoke development. Then we’ll highlight the advantages for both the client and developer of working with Open Source instead of starting from scratch.
What is Open Source Web Design?
So, the term ‘Open Source’ is used to describe something, for example a piece of software, that is produced in a world-wide community and then made available to the public for free. Open Source projects can come in all shapes and sizes from comprehensive eCommerce platforms like ‘Magento’. To Blogs and Content Management Systems (CMS) like ‘WordPress’.
Open Source Web Design is the process of utilising these existing Open Source Platforms to create websites efficiently and to a high industry standard. The difference between ‘Open Source’ and ‘Bespoke’ development is that with Open Source, you start with a tried and tested skeleton. Whilst with bespoke development, you literally start from scratch.
The Advantages of Open Source Website Design
Initially the potential advantages of using an Open Source platform may not be clear. The idea of having a bespoke system built from the ground up sounds like it should be the better option. With a bespoke website, the client has the opportunity to specify and agree exactly how the website would work, in particular the back-end functionality of the site. If we use eCommerce as an example, the client may require complex features such as Product comparison, Reviews, Discounts and or currency conversion for example.
Whilst having a bespoke system designed ensures the brief is met exactly, it’s worth understanding that the majority of common features are already built into Open Source platforms. Starting with an Open Source platform, whether it be eCommerce, CMS or blogging software gives the developer a head-start with the project and access to pre-built, complex features. So to summarise, building a website on an Open Source platform can give the client and developer the following advantages:
- Pre-Build system skeleton
This gives the developer a head-start with the website, resulting in a shorter development time line - Reduced Costs to the client
Starting with an Open Source platform usually reduces the amount of time needed to develop the finished website. - Familiarity
More and More web design and development companies are becoming familiar with platforms such as WordPress and Magento. - Built In Features
Powerful and established platforms come with many built in features that can be taken advantage of should the client wish. - SEO Friendly
As Open Source projects have evolved over the years, they have embraced SEO, easily allowing developers to produce search engine friendly websites.
In conclusion, Open Source web design gives you the opportunity to produce modern, dynamic and SEO friendly websites at a fair price and to an incredibly high standard.
Does open source web design apply to blogs- if it does i have a wordpress blog and would like to know how to make it look and work better- Cheers Grant
Hi Grant, yes WordPress is 100% opensource. Best thing to do to get started with WordPress styling is to look for a free WordPress Theme or Template that you can install to get you going. There are also thousands of free Plugins that you can download from WordPress’ website to help you set up additional functionality.
Hey James can you made me a basic website and send it to my gmail
I have to say that wordpress sites rule on the internet right now. I see Google often prefering them over the normal static sites that usually do not update their content often enough and do not have as many pages. Thanks for the post & video, and for sharing! Absolutely agree with you guys.