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Business

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Explorer

Your website is like your storefront. It&#039;s where you make a first impression on potential customers, showcase your brand, and aim to convert visitors into sales. However, if your website is outdated, confusing, or slow, it could be driving customers away.

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Is Your Website Costing You Customers? 10 Signs It&#039;s Time for a New Look

<h3>How can you tell if your website needs a makeover? Here are 10 signs:</h3><ol><li>You don&#039;t want to share your website URL.Your website should be something you&#039;re proud of. If you&#039;re hesitant to share it, it&#039;s a clear sign that something needs to change.</li><li>The website isn&#039;t mobile-friendly.Most people use their phones to browse the web. You&#039;re missing a large audience if your website isn&#039;t optimized for mobile devices.</li><li>Your brand identity has evolved, but your website hasn&#039;t.If you&#039;ve updated your logo, slogan, or marketing materials, your website should reflect your brand&#039;s current look and feel.</li><li>Competitors have a stellar website.Keep an eye on your competitors. If their websites are modern and engaging, it&#039;s time for you to upgrade yours.</li><li>Making simple changes feels difficult.A user-friendly content management system (CMS) should let you make basic edits like text updates and image changes without needing a developer.</li><li>Visitors don&#039;t stay too long on your website.If your website takes too long to load, users will leave. Aim for a fast loading speed to keep visitors engaged.</li><li>It&#039;s been 5+ years since your last update.If your website hasn&#039;t been updated in several years, it&#039;s likely outdated in terms of design, functionality, and SEO best practices.</li><li>Information overload.Your website should be easy to navigate and understand. Avoid overwhelming visitors with too much information on a single page.</li><li>Your website doesn&#039;t spark engagement.A successful website keeps visitors interested and clicking around. If your website fails to capture attention, it&#039;s time for a refresh.</li><li>You&#039;re invisible in search results.Search engine optimization (SEO) helps people find your website online. If your website isn&#039;t SEO-friendly, you&#039;re missing out on valuable organic traffic.</li></ol>

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Success

Do these issues sound familiar? Start resolving them today!

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Investing in a well-designed website can pay off for years to come. An outdated website can lead to issues such as slow loading times, poor mobile compatibility, and difficulty making simple updates. These problems can frustrate visitors, diminish your brand&#039;s image, and cause potential customers to turn to competitors. A modern, mobile-friendly site helps you engage visitors, reflect your current brand identity, and achieve your business goals. Don&#039;t let an outdated website cost you customers. Take the step to refresh your website and stay ahead of the competition.

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Development

Your website is your storefront. It's where you make a first impression on potential customers, showcase your brand, and hopefully convert visitors into sales.

Is Your Website Costing You Customers? 10 Signs It's Time for a New Look

What is Google reCAPTCHA? It is a free service provided by Google to prevent bots from abusing websites. If you have a form on your website and the user needs to fill in data, it is always a good idea to implement some kind of detection between bots and real users.

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How to get Google reCAPTCHA keys

Google reCaptcha helps you with that and getting Google reCAPTCHA key is really simple by following this text. All you need is to login to Google reCaptcha Admin and create keys for your domain.<h3 style="text-align: center;"> <img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image8-recaptcha.png"></h3><h3>What does it look like?</h3>Google reCAPTCHA has evolved through several versions to enhance website security while minimizing user inconvenience. Here is a summary of its different versions:<ul><li>reCAPTCHA v1: The initial version, launched in 2007, required users to decipher distorted text or solve simple image-based puzzles to prove they were human. This version is now deprecated and no longer in use.</li></ul><img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image1-recaptcha.png"><ul><li>reCAPTCHA v2: Introduced a simple &quot;I am not a robot&quot; checkbox, which most users just need to click. For those flagged as suspicious, additional image-based challenges (e.g., selecting pictures of traffic lights) are presented. This version balances security with user experience and remains widely used​.</li></ul><img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image3-recaptcha.png"><ul><li>Invisible reCAPTCHA v2: This variant of v2 removes the need for the checkbox. The CAPTCHA challenge is executed automatically based on user behavior on the page. If the behavior is deemed suspicious, a challenge appears, reducing friction for most users​​</li></ul><img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image13-recaptcha.png"><ul><li>reCAPTCHA v3: The latest version, which operates entirely in the background, assigns a risk score to each user interaction. This score helps determine whether the user is likely a human or a bot. Site administrators can set thresholds to decide when to take action, such as requiring additional verification steps. This version aims to provide seamless user experience with enhanced security.</li></ul><h3>When and Why did it start?</h3>Google reCAPTCHA was introduced in 2007 as a tool to protect websites from malicious bots and automated attacks. It was initially developed by a team at Carnegie Mellon University and later acquired by Google in 2009.The reason for introducing reCAPTCHA was to combat the problem of automated programs abusing web forms, such as registering fake accounts, sending spam messages, or attempting to crack passwords. reCAPTCHA was designed to distinguish real users from bots by using simple tasks that humans can easily solve but are difficult for bots.Over time, reCAPTCHA has evolved and become more sophisticated. From simple text tests to more complex methods like analyzing user behavior on the page, all aimed at improving security and reducing inconvenience for real users. Today, reCAPTCHA uses advanced algorithms and machine learning to effectively protect websites with minimal disruption to the user experience.<h3>Why use it?</h3>Websites should use Google reCAPTCHA for several important reasons:<ul><li>Security: reCAPTCHA helps protect websites from malicious activities, such as automated bots trying to spam, hack, or scrape data.</li><li>Preventing Spam: By filtering out automated submissions, reCAPTCHA helps reduce the amount of spam sent through contact forms, comment sections, and registration pages.</li><li>Protecting User Accounts: It adds an extra layer of security to login pages, preventing bots from attempting brute-force attacks to crack passwords.</li><li>Improving Data Quality: Ensuring that form submissions are from real users helps maintain the quality and integrity of the data collected from visitors.</li><li>User-Friendly Security: Modern versions of reCAPTCHA, like reCAPTCHA v3, provide security with minimal disruption to genuine users by analyzing user behavior in the background.</li><li>Using reCAPTCHA enhances the overall security and reliability of a website, making it a crucial tool for any online service that wants to protect itself and its users from malicious activity.</li></ul><h3>How to get Google reCAPTCHA keys?</h3>What do I need to know before I start creating keys?Before even starting you need to have a domain and know which version(type) of reCAPTCHA will be implemented on your website.What should the domain look like?As you can check in the screenshot below, the domain will be used without any protocol, path,port, query or fragment. Valid example: “example.com”.<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image12-recaptcha.png">There are 3 different reCaptcha versions?Make sure you know exactly which version(type) you will use, because keys created are paired to only one version.<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image11-recaptcha.png">You can create keys for one of the following version(types):V2 I’m not a robot<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image9-recaptcha.png">V2 Invisible<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image5-recaptcha.png">V3 “reCAPTCHA v3 allows you to verify if an interaction is legitimate without any user interaction.” more information <a href="https://developers.google.com/recaptcha/docs/versions">here</a><h3>How to create?</h3>Login to <a href="https://www.google.com/recaptcha/admin/">Google reCaptcha Admin</a> with your Google account.Click on “+”(plus) sign in the right top corner<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image6-recaptcha.png">Fill in the data and click on the submit button after that.<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image8-recaptcha.png">Copy “Site Key” and “Secret Key” and use it as you need.<h3> How to access it any time?</h3>Do not worry about storing keys to some document, you can always access them:In the top left corner select your set of keys by “Label” you have entered.<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image7-recaptcha.png">Then click on the “settings” icon in the top right corner.<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image2-recaptcha.png">All information will be visible<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image15-recaptcha.png">At the end, click on “reCAPTCHA keys” to expand that section<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image4-recaptcha.png">And your keys are visible<img src="https://cdn.simple-code.agency/articles/image10-recaptcha.png">

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Using Google reCAPTCHA is beneficial because it significantly enhances website security by preventing malicious bots and automated attacks while ensuring a smooth user experience. It helps maintain data integrity, reduces spam, and protects user accounts with minimal disruption to genuine users.

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A new project on the way? We’ve got you covered.

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Google reCAPTCHA is a free service provided by Google to prevent bots from abusing websites.

How to get Google reCAPTCHA keys

Google reCAPTCHA is a free service provided by Google to prevent bots from abusing websites. If you have a form on your website and the user needs to fill in data, it is always a good idea to implement some kind of detection between bots and real users.

recaptcha-feature

Outsourcing work, especially in industries such as technology can offer benefits like cost savings and access to global talent. However, there are some compelling reasons why we might choose not to outsource our work. Here are some key points:

Why We Keep Our Work In-House

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<ol><li>Quality Control:Keeping work in-house allows for direct oversight of the quality of the output. It ensures that the final product meets our standards and expectations without the risk of misunderstandings or quality discrepancies that can sometimes occur with outsourcing.</li><li>Cultural Fit and Brand Alignment:Employees who are part of the company culture and understand the brand inside and out are more likely to produce work that aligns with our values, voice, and vision. Outsourcing can sometimes lead to outputs that miss the nuanced understanding of the brand&#039;s identity.</li><li>Communication and Coordination:Working with an in-house team facilitates easier and more effective communication. It avoids potential barriers such as time zone differences, language issues, and cultural misunderstandings that can complicate project coordination with outsourced teams.</li><li>Intellectual Property Security:Keeping work in-house can safeguard sensitive information and intellectual property. It reduces the risk of exposing confidential data to external parties, which can be a concern with outsourcing.</li><li>Building Team Expertise:Developing in-house capabilities enriches the team&#039;s skills and knowledge. It fosters a learning environment where employees grow together, enhancing their expertise over time rather than relying on external entities for key competencies.</li><li>Faster Response to Changes:In-house teams can be more agile and responsive to changes or issues. Quick decision-making and the ability to pivot projects without the delay of coordinating with an external vendor can be crucial in fast-paced industries.</li><li>Long-term Cost Benefits:While outsourcing might offer immediate cost savings, investing in an in-house team can provide long-term financial benefits. Developing internal expertise and efficiencies can lead to cost savings over time, along with the potential for innovation and value creation that exceeds outsourcing savings.</li><li>Employee Engagement and Loyalty:Employees are likely to feel more engaged and loyal when they see the company investing in its people and capabilities. This can lead to a more motivated workforce, lower turnover rates, and a stronger company culture.</li><li>Direct Customer Insights:In-house teams are often closer to the customer experience, gaining direct insights into customer needs and feedback. This proximity can enhance the relevance and effectiveness of products, services, and marketing strategies.</li></ol>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Choosing not to outsource is a strategic decision that can support a company&#039;s goals for quality, brand integrity, agility, and long-term growth. It emphasizes building internal strengths and capabilities to achieve competitive advantage and sustainable success.

People & Culture

Outsourcing work can offer benefits like cost savings and access to global talent. However, there are compelling reasons why we might choose not to outsource.

Why We Keep Our Work In-House

Product design is a creative task based on experience and iterative product development. It can be challenging and demanding at times, depending on the designer&#039;s mental state. Can we find ways to make it more manageable and maybe even faster? Can we take advantage of this new tool that everyone is talking about - ChatGPT?

Usage of ChatGPT in product design

ChatGPT is currently gaining huge popularity due to its powerful, fast, and incredibly accurate responses. There is an overriding concern that it could lead to job displacement when viewed from that perspective. However, a more constructive view is that ChatGPT is a valuable tool that can simplify tasks if handled skillfully. I am personally fascinated by the recent advances in artificial intelligence technologies, which makes me curious to explore how ChatGPT can improve my day-to-day work.Let me start with the limitations of using ChatGPT. There are certain scenarios where it may not be the most appropriate tool.For example, ChatGPT may have trouble understanding certain tasks, especially if it is not trained in certain areas or if your expression is unclear.

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<ul><li>It is important to note that ChatGPT lacks creativity. Asking it to be inventive with your assignments is futile because he has no mind, soul, imagination, or personal experiences. In essence, it functions as a dataset that uses existing information to generate seemingly &quot;new&quot; data.</li><li>The key is to check the results. ChatGPT generates responses based on its database but cannot discern the accuracy of the information it provides. It always assumes that it has given the correct answer, so the user must confirm the correctness of the output.</li><li>Ethical issues should also be considered. While the programming team strives to prevent ChatGPT from being offensive, the tool itself lacks independent thought. Any ethnic, religious, or otherwise offensive response is simply the result of algorithmic confusion.</li><li>In addition, it is crucial to use the tool sensibly. ChatGPT is a useful aid, but it cannot replace your critical thinking or problem-solving skills. It is advisable to seek its advice and help rather than relying entirely on it. Excessive use of tools and neglect of your creative thinking is not a recommended practice.</li></ul>Now that we&#039;ve covered the dos and don&#039;ts, let&#039;s dive into the fun aspect of using ChatGPT for improved work results, using its intended purpose.Scenario 1: You are a new or relatively new designer who wants to understand certain UX terminology. Alternatively, you may need to explain these terms to someone. Ask ChatGPT for help in this context.<blockquote>&quot;Could you please explain the term &quot;Wireframe&quot; in a way that anyone can understand? Feel free to use an example to explain it better.&quot;</blockquote>However, as you can see from the attached screenshot, my input was not clear enough, resulting in a generic wireframe response. In this situation, I have two options: I can be more specific with my entries, which means using more words, or I can use my favorite &quot;party trick&quot; - starting a ChatGPT journey by defining its new role.

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Scenario 2: Define its role by specifying what ChatGPT is at the moment (temporarily, while the window is open):<blockquote>&quot;You are now an assistant product designer.&quot;</blockquote>Let&#039;s check it in action and repeat the first question.

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Now, with our experienced assistant, we can dive deeper into project integration. ChatGPT has the ability to retain project-related information, ensuring that subsequent responses are intricately linked to our ongoing efforts. In this context, let&#039;s clarify our project:<blockquote>We are creating a web design for a faculty that deals with medical education. The site will have two languages ​​- Croatian, which will focus on the offer of education, and English, which will focus on foreign investors.</blockquote>

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Scenario 3: Preparation of the research phaseBefore delving into the UX/UI aspect of a project, a key preliminary step involves extensive research. This phase is often time-consuming, chaotic and can seem random, with uncertainties about where and how to start the process. Fortunately, our new assistant is ready to alleviate those challenges, carrying most of the heavy lifting.<blockquote>&quot;Can you help me with Who, Why, What of the project. Please have in mind specific user pain points.&quot;</blockquote>The key here is to check the validity of the answers. Please ask this question more than once because its meaning is the most important. Your expertise as a designer will prove invaluable in assessing whether the answer is satisfactory enough. I will not show the full answer in the picture, given its length, which is a positive feature.

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A good question might also be:<blockquote>&quot;Can you create a series of user interview questions to help us understand the user experience of the project?&quot;</blockquote>User interviews are important but often overlooked: it takes time to prepare questions and find the right people to answer them, and people often don&#039;t want to answer such questions. ChatGPT makes that process much easier: it has a HUGE database and generates valid questions.

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Go one step further and look for answers to these questions as well:<blockquote>&quot;Can you create a series of user interview questions to help us understand the user experience of the project? Also, answer the questions of 5 people&quot;</blockquote>

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Scenario 4: So we asked some questions and answers from &quot;5 people&quot; above. Let&#039;s improve that part - before asking for answers from &quot;5 people&quot; let&#039;s generate 5 people who fit our project. These are the ideal people who will use our project.Here we can freely define what information we need.<blockquote>&quot;Create for us 5 detailed personas for the project. The information we need is age, location, job, background, usage habits, likes and dislikes. Additionally, focus on increasing user engagement.&quot;</blockquote>Note that ChatGPT is still in &quot;product designer assistant&quot; mode and remembers what our project is. So, our inputs are short, but still focused on what we need.

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We can request a user journey map and define its steps (which rows and columns we need). We have 5 people, so take one and look for a customer journey map to help you in your research.Of course, you&#039;ll have to embellish the answers ChatGPT gives you - but hey, you&#039;ve got all the data.Scenario 5: Something where we often need suggestions (if not defined) - what fonts and color schemes will we use in our project? For fonts - ChatGPT provides common fonts, not very fancy; but the color schemes - ChatGPT is really trying here. Don&#039;t expect miracles, remember this tool is not creative - but you will get some suggestions. Let&#039;s try it!<blockquote>&quot;What font combinations should we use in our project? Can you explain why?&quot;</blockquote>

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<blockquote>&quot;Define 5 color schemes that will be suitable for this project. Consider factors such as user sentiment, reliability, and readability.&quot;</blockquote>

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Since ChatGPT gives us text-based responses - you have to test the fonts and colors yourself to see how it looks in practice. Scenario 6: So, as I mentioned before, we get text responses. What if we ask ChatGPT for an answer that is an image - in our case: we need suggestions for wireframes.<blockquote>&quot;Can you generate some example wireframes for the home page?&quot;</blockquote>

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Well, ChatGPT will explain the sections. It will even make a few suggestions and name them. So it&#039;s not a failure. That way we can get an idea of ​​what to include on our site.Since this is a ChatGPT post, we won&#039;t touch on AI image generation - but there are workarounds for ChatGPT text responses. We can use AI to generate the images we need: frames, page parts, part images,…

<h2>Conclusion</h2>These are just some of the examples that can help you design your product. I believe it is a really useful tool. I suggest you learn how to use it - AI is knocking on the door - the future is calling. Adapt to the new times, make your work easier and faster. Enjoy the new benefits of AI tools.When you design you always have questions in your head. ChatGPT is a tool for asking those questions. Just be careful with it and don&#039;t believe it - you still have to use your head, you still have to be creative.

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Design

Product design is a creative task based on experience and iterative product development. It can be challenging and demanding at times.

Usage of ChatGPT in product design

Product design is a creative task based on experience and iterative product development. Can we find ways to make it more manageable and maybe even faster? Can we take advantage of this new tool that everyone is talking about - ChatGPT?

In the digital age, launching a mobile app is akin to planting a tree. Just as a sapling requires consistent care to grow into a strong tree, your app needs ongoing maintenance to thrive in the competitive market. The launch is just the beginning of a journey. To ensure your app remains relevant, functional, and appealing to your user base, a robust post-launch maintenance plan is essential. Here are the compelling reasons why:

Why Does Your App Need Maintenance Post-Launch?

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1. Ensuring Compatibility with New Operating SystemsMobile operating systems are continually evolving, with major updates rolling out regularly. These updates can significantly affect how your app functions. Without routine maintenance to ensure compatibility, your app risks becoming obsolete or, worse, dysfunctional, leading to a poor user experience.2. Adapting to Technological AdvancementsThe tech landscape is in a constant state of flux, with new advancements surfacing at a breakneck pace. Be it the integration of the latest APIs, leveraging new hardware capabilities of smartphones, or incorporating emerging tech trends like AR/VR and AI, maintenance ensures your app stays on the cutting edge.3. Squashing BugsNo matter how thoroughly an app is tested before launch, some bugs and glitches often go unnoticed until it&#039;s in the hands of real users. Regular maintenance is your opportunity to fix these issues as they arise, improving the overall stability and performance of your app.4. Enhancing SecurityCyber threats are evolving as quickly as technology, making apps vulnerable to new forms of attacks. Continuous maintenance allows you to patch security vulnerabilities, safeguard user data, and comply with the latest data protection regulations, which is crucial for maintaining user trust.5. Meeting User ExpectationsUser feedback is a goldmine of information, offering insights into what features users love, what they don&#039;t, and what they wish to see in your app. Maintenance periods are a chance to iterate on your app based on this feedback, adding new features or tweaking existing ones to better meet user expectations.6. Optimizing PerformanceOver time, apps can become bloated, leading to slower load times and a decrease in performance. Regular maintenance allows you to optimize the code, reduce latency, and ensure the app runs smoothly across all devices, thereby enhancing the user experience.7. Expanding Your User BaseUpdating your app not only retains existing users but also attracts new ones. By consistently adding new features and improving the user interface, you signal to potential users that your app is active and evolving, making it more appealing.8. Compliance with Legal StandardsLaws and regulations regarding digital products, especially around privacy and data protection, are constantly being updated. Through routine maintenance, you can ensure your app remains compliant with these legal standards, avoiding potential fines and legal issues.

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<h2>Conclusion</h2>In conclusion, post-launch maintenance is not just about fixing bugs; it&#039;s a strategic approach to app management that ensures your digital product remains viable, competitive, and valuable to users long after its initial release. By investing in a comprehensive maintenance plan, you secure not just the longevity of your app but also its success in the dynamic digital marketplace.

To ensure your app remains relevant, functional, and appealing to your user base, a robust post-launch maintenance plan is essential.

Why Does Your App Need Maintenance Post-Launch?

To ensure your app remains relevant, functional, and appealing to your user base, a robust post-launch maintenance plan is essential. Here are the compelling reasons why!

Most of the projects nowadays can be complex and multifaceted, so to effectively manage them, we focus more on providing flexibility in our approach to account for different types of projects which come in various sizes and bring their own set of requirements.

Our Project Management Approach

Over the course of the last decade, there has been an increase in available project management methodologies which offer a variety of tools and techniques to ensure that the project runs as smoothly as possible. This is necessary in order to achieve a balance between a satisfied client as well as an accomplished development team.Most of the projects nowadays can be complex and multifaceted, so to effectively manage them, we focus more on providing flexibility in our approach to account for different types of projects which come in various sizes and bring their own set of requirements. We follow the essential steps, familiar processes and leverage our flat hierarchy to create our own customized blend of project management methodologies. It all depends on the project itself, and of course, a mutual consensus on which approach is the best fit for the respective project in order to achieve the best possible customer experience and exceptional value to our clients.

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<h3>Reasons for blending project management methodologies</h3>So, what made us blend different methodologies? From previous experience, here is a list of the benefits and reasons why we use this approach:<ul><li>Successful team – Methodologies don’t deliver projects, people do. A methodology is only a tool in a toolbox, so asking the team to pitch in and combine best practices of various methodologies can ensure a project is successful. Our approach complements a project, and we ensure that methodologies work for our project team, not vice versa. As project teams often vary in size, experience and availability, it is quite normal that flexibility is necessary in order to achieve success.</li><li>Identical projects do not exist – Although it may seem that a project is exactly the same as a previous one, you cannot just blindly replicate everything.  As a minimum, the people (project team and shareholders), the risks and project environment will be different, so you cannot use the same methodology over and over again. Instead, we always encourage a review of the previous methods used as part of the initial project planning phase, so that our Project team can then see and decide what can be translated over or what is not so beneficial for their next project.</li><li>Projects are unpredictable – Things do not always go as planned, no matter how prepared you are. Unexpected challenges can throw your project off course, so you will have to adapt and adjust. Using the same methodology is not the best solution. Adopting a different strategy from another methodology can often help you get the project back on track.</li><li>Adaptation is not a waste of time – Projects sometimes use a methodology that simply does not work and if not addressed, the project team may start to scramble or rush some of the necessary steps. Depending on the individual circumstances they may stick with it, or after a review, may choose to move the project in a different direction, which can save precious time. A re-evaluation of the methodology used, or adding a new element from another one, can add a fresh perspective and turn around a potentially failing project.</li></ul>

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<h3>How to choose the right blend of project management methodologies</h3>After listing the reasons why we choose to blend different methodologies, we want to highlight some key questions we ask before choosing the right blend. Blending and implementing multiple methodologies for a project requires time, effort and knowledge. To help you determine which methodology is a good fit for a particular project, here are our suggested keynotes:<ul><li>Available methodologies – you need to have a good understanding of various methodologies and what the reasoning is behind using them. Our primary focus is on the value they add to a project, and then we establish which methodology is best suited to a specific team and how they can be utilised before starting a project to ensure project success.</li><li>Shareholder needs – Listen to and focus on shareholders’ needs and wishes. If they are more likely to be making a lot of changes in the specifications or asking for constant updates, we always select a methodology with shorter cycles and an iterative approach, such as Scrum. With shorter sprints and shipping regular finished parts for testing and feedback, it gives a perspective of flexibility. Moreover, it demonstrates quick delivery and continuous value to the shareholders, which helps to keep them happy and prevents our team from feeling overwhelmed or pressured to deliver huge chunks of work.</li><li>Project team needs – Our team is the one delivering projects so we are always trying to be realistic about our projects and listening to the needs of our team. Chosen methodologies must fit well with the skills of our team, strengths and weaknesses, availability and preference. Our blend needs to align with what our team can really do practically, and not so much in the written theory behind it. </li><li>Project type – if the project is classified and looks more dynamic and you anticipate changes to the requirements, methodologies such as Agile or Scrum will make more sense.Similarly, if the project requirements are rigid and already set, traditional methodologies such as Waterfall or PRINCE2 are more sensible to use. You also need to consider any constraints and risks that are crucial to the success of the project. If there is room for more risks, in favour of more flexibility, it would be wise to use some of the strengths of Agile for example. Analysis of those key indicators can be really helpful and shed light on the path for the project team to choose, and what can be most beneficial to them and for the project.</li><li>Available tools – Different clients often use different project management software. It is up to the project team to see which methodologies those software solutions support and what can actually be achieved. There is no point in having Agile in Trello for example, as it is more suited to the Kanban approach. Assessing which tools are accessible and how they match with the needs of the project team, is something that is often neglected.</li></ul><h3>Our blend of project management methodologies </h3>Below is a list of some of the methodologies we use, to highlight their advantages and the reasons why we choose to use them. As some of these methodologies are quite complex, we are more focused on specific segments of them. The segments that provide the most value to our project teams and ones we find most natural to use, are often incorporated into our project planning.<ul><li>Waterfall – Maybe the oldest but most stable and structured approach. The key stages typically include requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. It provides predictable results, and is often used for projects that have fixed requirements, strict budgets and are not flexible to changes.The issue with this approach hides in the fact that more often than not, some features might not be adequately explained or the requirements might change at some point which will not be covered by the existing documentation, and will cause issues with the overall project duration.In our case, we tend to use it in projects for specific phases where there are deliverables that are needed to follow its natural and strict development processes, but very rarely is it used as a whole.</li><li>Scrum – Scrum is an iterative and incremental methodology where the emphasis is largely on adaptability and collaboration. It divides the project into short iterations called sprints, with the team working in cross-functional units and focusing on delivering small, valuable increments of the project in each sprint. At Simple Code, we often use this methodology in order to achieve faster go to market by focusing on the minimum viable product in the first few sprints. </li><li>Lean – Although Lean is a methodology that is often neglected because it is perceived as a loose methodology, we are quite fond of it. As it is focused on doing more with less and maximising value through continuous improvement, it is very helpful for the project team, and it helps to clarify what really needs to be done. It can also help to reduce wasteful effort and cut down the cost, which is something that is highly desired by our clients.</li><li>Kanban – Similar to the others, we use this approach to help our project teams visualise work easily and maximise their workflow efficiency. The system uses a Kanban board with columns where each task is represented by a card that moves across the board as it progresses. The main idea is to prevent a large number of tasks from being in progress in order to prevent bottlenecks. Kanban provides transparency and is particularly effective for projects with a high volume of small tasks and a need for real-time tracking.We often use this approach when developing websites since usually there is no such thing as a minimum viable product and everything needs to be ready before launching the site. In those cases, Kanban provides a clear picture of the work that is left to be done and ensures that the workload for each member of the team is manageable and can be finished at approximately the same time.</li></ul>

<h2>Conclusion</h2>There will always be arguments about which project management approach is the best and in our opinion, we don’t know and don’t care, since we’re focused on delivering quality products and continuous improvement.Our blend approach provides us with the flexibility to pick and choose various components of different methodologies to facilitate project success, so we get the best of both worlds. We believe the time when one approach fits all projects is a thing of the past. Being flexible and doing what is best for the project team and project objectives is our guiding star, which has never failed us so far.

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Project Management

Explore Our Project Management Approach: Delivering Success Through Effective Strategies. Discover How We Plan, Execute, and Deliver Projects with Precision.

Our Project Management approach

Welcome to a guided tour of Simple Code&#039;s project management toolkit. In this article, we&#039;re unfolding the map to our treasure trove of tools, illustrating how each one contributes to steering projects toward success.

Streamlining Success with Our Project Management Toolkit

<h3>Introduction</h3>Welcome to a guided tour of Simple Code&#039;s project management toolkit. In this article, we&#039;re unfolding the map to our treasure trove of tools, illustrating how each one contributes to steering projects toward success. It&#039;s our way of ensuring precision and care in every endeavor, and we&#039;re excited to share these insights with you, whether you&#039;re a fellow project manager, a curious client, or anyone interested in the art and science of project management.<h3>Our Essential Project Management Tools</h3>

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At Simple Code, our project toolkit is tailored to the unique landscape of each project. Like a skilled craftsman choosing the right tool for the job, we select each application for its ability to address specific project needs and objectives.<ul><li>Slack is our communication hub. Each project has its own dedicated channel, fostering clear, quick, and organized discussions among team members.</li><li>ClickUp is at the heart of our project management. Primarily used for planning sprints, it also provides an overview of workloads, timelines, and documents. It&#039;s a central spot for jotting down meeting notes and tracking progress, as well as organizing client feedback efficiently.</li><li>Clockify isn&#039;t just about tracking time; it&#039;s about understanding our efforts and refining future estimates. It&#039;s our commitment to transparency and efficiency.</li><li>LastPass ensures the security of our digital assets, maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of project information.</li><li>Miro offers a collaborative space for brainstorming and planning, helping us visualize concepts and workflows.</li><li>Google Drive is our central repository for all project-related files, ensuring everything is organized and accessible.</li><li>Google Docs and Google Spreadsheets allow for real-time collaboration on documents and data, streamlining content and information management.</li><li>Ybug enhances our feedback loop, capturing client and team input directly into our workflow for prompt and precise action.</li><li>Google Meet, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Webex keep us connected, facilitating virtual meetings and discussions with clients and team members globally.</li><li>Google Calendar keeps us on track, managing schedules, deadlines, and important events to ensure no detail is overlooked.</li></ul><h3>Enhancing Project Delivery and Client Relationships</h3>

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Our toolkit is more than a set of applications; it&#039;s an integrated approach to project management. Each tool is a cog in a larger machine, working together seamlessly to keep projects moving smoothly and efficiently. This integration not only optimizes our internal workflows but also enhances the client experience, ensuring satisfaction and trust. Our commitment to continuous improvement keeps us agile and responsive, always ready to adopt new methods or tools that can enhance our productivity and project outcomes.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Our project management toolkit is a critical component of how we deliver projects with precision and quality. By sharing our approach and tools, we&#039;re not just offering a look behind the scenes — we&#039;re inviting you to understand the dedication and meticulous planning that goes into each project. If you&#039;re interested in further exploration of our project management strategies, take a look at our in-depth discussion in &quot;<a rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://simple-code.agency/business/blog/project-management/our-project-management-approach">Our Project Management Approach</a>.&quot; It&#039;s a testament to our commitment to versatility, excellence, and delivering value to every project we undertake.

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In this article, we're unfolding the map to our treasure trove of tools, illustrating how each one contributes to steering projects toward success.

Streamlining Success with Our Project Management Toolkit

Welcome to a guided tour of Simple Code's project management toolkit. In this article, we're unfolding the map to our treasure trove of tools, illustrating how each one contributes to steering projects toward success.

At Simple Code, we take quality assurance seriously. We understand that delivering high-quality software solutions to our clients requires a combination of manual and automated testing methods and tools.

Our Approach to QA

Our manual testing includes functional testing, usability testing, and exploratory testing, while our automated testing includes clickables testing, regression testing, and performance testing. By using a combination of manual and automated testing, we can ensure that our products work as intended and provide an excellent user experience.<h3>Manual Testing</h3>When conducting manual quality assurance (QA) testing in web development, several approaches and techniques can be utilized to ensure thorough and effective testing. Here are some common approaches used in manual QA testing for web development:<ul><li>Functional Testing: Functional testing focuses on validating the functionality of the website or web application. Testers verify that all features, buttons, forms, links, and interactions work as intended. They assess whether the system meets the specified requirements and performs the expected tasks accurately. Test cases are designed to cover different scenarios, user inputs, and edge cases to ensure comprehensive functional testing.</li><li>Usability Testing: Usability testing aims to evaluate the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of the web interface. Testers simulate real-world user interactions, and assess the website&#039;s navigation, information architecture, and visual design. They identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance the user experience. Usability testing often involves collecting feedback from end-users to gain insights into their perspectives and pain points.</li><li>Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Testing: Since websites are accessed on various browsers and devices, it is crucial to test compatibility across different platforms. Testers verify that the website functions correctly and appears consistent across major web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer. They also test responsiveness and adaptability on different devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.</li><li>Performance Testing: Performance testing involves evaluating the speed, responsiveness, and scalability of the website or web application. Testers measure and analyze key performance metrics such as page load time, response time, server resource utilization, and throughput. They conduct stress testing by simulating heavy user loads to determine the system&#039;s stability and identify performance bottlenecks or limitations.</li></ul><ul><li>Accessibility Testing: Accessibility testing ensures that the website adheres to web accessibility standards, making it usable for individuals with disabilities. Testers assess the website&#039;s compliance with guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). They verify the presence of alternative text for images, proper labeling of form elements, keyboard accessibility, and the ability to navigate using assistive technologies like screen readers.</li><li>Exploratory Testing: Exploratory testing is an unscripted approach where testers explore the website or application without predefined test cases. They intuitively interact with the system, looking for unexpected behavior, usability issues, and edge cases that automated tests may not cover. Exploratory testing encourages creativity and critical thinking, allowing testers to uncover hidden defects and provide valuable feedback.</li></ul>

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It&#039;s important to note that the selection and combination of these approaches may vary based on project requirements, timeline, and available resources. The goal is to ensure a comprehensive and balanced approach to manual QA testing that covers functional aspects, user experience, compatibility, performance, security, and accessibility, ultimately delivering a high-quality web solution to end-users.<h3>Automated Testing with Cypress</h3>While manual testing is crucial, it can be time-consuming and prone to human error. Therefore, we also use automated testing to complement our manual testing efforts. We use Cypress, an open-source testing framework that helps us cut down on testing time and improve accuracy. Cypress is a popular JavaScript-based end-to-end testing framework and automation tool specifically designed for web applications. It provides a comprehensive solution for automating tests, from interacting with the user interface to making assertions about the application&#039;s behavior.

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Cypress follows a unique architecture compared to other testing frameworks. It runs directly in the browser and operates alongside the application being tested. This architecture offers numerous advantages, such as real-time test execution, interactive debugging, and full access to the application&#039;s state. It eliminates the need for external dependencies or plugins and provides a seamless and intuitive testing experience.Our automated testing includes three types of tests:<ol><li>Clickables Test - Automated tests for clickables typically involve interacting with elements on a web page that can be clicked, such as buttons, links, or dropdowns. The purpose of these tests is to ensure that click actions trigger the expected behavior or navigation within the application. This test clicks through the product (web/mobile app or website) in random order and random places. It monitors the browser console for any errors that may arise during the process. These tests ensure that click actions trigger the expected behavior, verify navigation, and help identify potential issues or regressions as the application evolves.</li><li>Regression Testing - Cypress can also be used for visual regression testing, which involves comparing visual representations of the application before and after changes to identify any unintentional visual discrepancies. Visual regression testing helps ensure that the visual appearance of the application remains consistent across different versions or updates. This test compares the staging environment with the live environment and reports any visual differences. This test is particularly handy when we update dependencies and plugins, as it allows us to identify any issues that may arise after the update. It helps us ensure that the product looks and behaves the same way in both environments. By incorporating visual regression testing into your Cypress test suite, you can verify that the visual output of your application remains consistent and detect any unintended visual regressions caused by code changes or updates. This helps maintain a high standard of visual quality and consistency across different versions of your application.</li><li>Performance Testing - This test runs Google Lighthouse and similar tests to ensure that the product is performing well. It raises a red flag if the product is not performing well, allowing us to identify and fix performance issues before they impact the user experience. Cypress integrates with Google Lighthouse, an open-source tool for auditing and measuring the performance, accessibility, best practices, and SEO aspects of web applications. By leveraging Cypress and Google Lighthouse together, you can automate the process of running Lighthouse tests and collecting performance metrics for your application. You can analyze the Lighthouse reports to identify areas for improvement, potential performance bottlenecks, accessibility issues, or SEO optimization opportunities. The reports provide insights and recommendations for optimizing your application based on industry best practices. By combining Cypress and Google Lighthouse, you can automate the process of running Lighthouse audits and ensure that your application meets performance, accessibility, and best practice standards. This integration allows you to incorporate continuous testing and monitoring into your development workflow, enabling you to catch any regressions or issues early and maintain a high-quality web application.</li></ol>

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Cypress is a powerful and user-friendly testing framework that simplifies the process of automating tests for web applications. With its unique architecture, interactive test runner, expressive syntax, and powerful debugging capabilities, Cypress offers a seamless testing experience. By enabling developers to write reliable and efficient end-to-end tests, Cypress contributes to the overall quality and reliability of web applications, allowing teams to deliver robust software to end users.<h3>Customization and Communication</h3>We understand that no two projects are the same, and therefore, we customize our testing approach to meet the unique requirements of each project. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs and requirements, and we tailor our testing approach accordingly.Effective communication is crucial in ensuring that the product meets our client&#039;s requirements and exceeds their expectations. Therefore, we collaborate closely with our clients throughout the development process to gather feedback, answer questions, and provide progress updates.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Our approach to QA includes both manual and automated testing methods and tools to ensure that our products work as intended and provide an excellent user experience. We use a combination of browser and device testing, as well as automated testing using Cypress, to deliver high-quality software solutions to our clients. In addition to testing, we follow industry best practices such as code reviews, continuous integration, and continuous deployment to ensure that our software is reliable, maintainable, and scalable. We also stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends to provide innovative solutions that help our clients achieve their goals.If you&#039;re looking for a digital agency that prioritizes software quality and provides custom solutions tailored to your needs, look no further than Simple Code. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.

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Discover Our QA Approach - Ensuring Excellence Through Rigorous Quality Assurance Practices.

Our approach to QA

Our Approach to QA

While you&#039;re reading this article, chances are that a new JavaScript framework or library is being actively developed, or even released. Developers are constantly trying to keep up with different trends, requirements, specifications, APIs, etc. in order to make the available tools (harder) better, faster, stronger.

Evolution of Frontend Technologies Since 2014

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<h3>JavaScript Revolution</h3>The last 10 years represent a transformative period in the world of web development, marked by rapid advancements, the introduction of groundbreaking frameworks, and a paradigm shift in how developers approach building user interfaces and experiences on the web.This era is characterized by the rise of modern JavaScript frameworks, the embracing of new web standards, the focus on mobile-first and progressive web applications, and a growing emphasis on developer experience and tooling.One of the most significant shifts in the frontend landscape has been the evolution of JavaScript into a powerful, first-class language for web development. The emergence of ECMAScript 6 (ES6) in 2015 introduced new syntax and features, such as classes, modules, and arrow functions, that have become foundational to modern web development practices. This evolution has allowed developers to write cleaner, more maintainable code and has paved the way for the development of complex web applications that rival traditional desktop applications in functionality and performance.<h3>TypeScript</h3>TypeScript, developed by Microsoft and released in 2012, started gaining significant popularity around 2014. It is a superset of JavaScript that adds static type definitions. The adoption of TypeScript has grown over the years because it helps developers catch errors early through its type-checking feature, leading to more robust and maintainable codebases. Major frameworks and libraries like Angular, React, and Vue have embraced TypeScript, further cementing its place in the frontend ecosystem.<h3>Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)</h3>Progressive Web Apps have been a game-changer since their inception around 2015. PWAs leverage modern web capabilities to deliver an app-like experience on the web. They are designed to work offline, load quickly, and integrate seamlessly with the device’s operating system. Google has been a strong proponent of PWAs, emphasizing their importance for the future of web applications. This technology has enabled developers to build web applications that can rival native applications in terms of performance and user experience.<h3>Web Components</h3>Web Components are a set of standards that allow developers to create reusable custom elements and widgets with their encapsulated functionality, which can be used in web pages and web applications. The concept of Web Components has been around since 2011, but it gained significant traction after 2014 as browsers started to support these standards natively. This evolution has allowed for the development of more modular, maintainable, and scalable web applications.<h3>Frameworks and Libraries</h3>The period since 2014 has seen the rise and consolidation of several key JavaScript frameworks and libraries, each with its philosophy, strengths, and ecosystem. They offered developers comprehensive solutions for building dynamic, responsive web applications. These tools have introduced concepts such as two-way data binding, virtual DOM, and reactive data systems, revolutionizing how developers manage state and updates in their applications. Some of the most popular frameworks to day are:<ul><li>Angular</li><li>React</li><li>Vue</li><li>Svelte</li><li>... and many more.</li></ul><h3>Server-side Rendering (SSR) and Static Site Generators</h3>The need for faster load times and improved SEO led to the rise of server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generators. SSR frameworks have become popular for their ability to render JavaScript applications on the server, improving the initial load time and SEO. Static site generators have also seen a rise in popularity, offering blazing-fast load times by serving pre-rendered static pages. Some of the most popular are:<ul><li>Next for React</li><li>Nuxt for Vue</li><li>SvelteKit for Svelte</li><li>Astro</li><li>... and others.</li></ul><h3>Deprecations</h3>In the fast-evolving landscape of frontend development, certain technologies, frameworks, and practices that were once popular have seen a decline in use as newer, more efficient solutions have emerged.<ul><li>AngularJS - the original version of Angular released in 2010, has seen a significant decrease in use since the introduction of Angular 2+ in 2016. AngularJS introduced concepts like two-way data binding and declarative templates, but its performance issues and the complexity of large-scale application development led to the complete rewrite of the framework. The Angular team ended long-term support for AngularJS at the end of 2021, pushing developers towards the more modern, component-based Angular framework.</li><li>jQuery - once the cornerstone of frontend development for simplifying DOM manipulation, event handling, and AJAX calls, has seen its necessity diminish with the evolution of vanilla JavaScript (ES6+) and modern frameworks that offer more structured approaches to building web applications. While jQuery is still in use, especially in legacy projects, its importance has significantly decreased as native browser APIs have become more powerful and easier to work with.</li><li>Grunt and Gulp - task runners that automate script minification, compilation, and other repetitive tasks, have seen a decline in favor of npm scripts and more modern tools like Webpack, Parcel, and Vite, which offer more integrated and efficient ways to manage build processes.</li></ul>

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<h3>Timeline - 2014 to Present</h3>Here&#039;s a recap of some major events and releases related to the frontend technologies in the last 10 years:2014<ul><li>Webpack - Initially released in March 2012, Webpack became increasingly popular in the frontend ecosystem around 2014 as a powerful module bundler. Its ability to transform, bundle, or package just about any resource or asset has made it a staple in modern web development workflows. Webpack&#039;s significance grew with each major release, introducing features like code splitting, lazy loading, and extensive plugin systems to optimize the performance and efficiency of web applications.</li><li>TypeScript - Initial release in October 2012. TypeScript introduces static typing to JavaScript, aiming to improve the development experience for large-scale applications by catching errors early through types. TypeScript&#039;s popularity and adoption steadily grow as the development community recognizes its benefits.</li><li>Vue.js - Initial release of Vue.js, a progressive JavaScript framework for building user interfaces, introducing an accessible and flexible model for developers.</li></ul>2015<ul><li>React - Significant updates and community growth, as React solidifies its position with the introduction of React Native, expanding beyond web development into mobile app development.</li><li>GraphQL - Released by Facebook, GraphQL offers a new data querying and manipulation language, aiming to improve upon REST API architectures.</li></ul>2016<ul><li>Angular 2+ - A complete rewrite of AngularJS, introducing a component-based architecture and TypeScript integration, marking a significant shift in Angular&#039;s development approach.</li><li>Vue 2.0 - Major update to Vue.js, enhancing its performance and introducing a virtual DOM.</li><li>Next.js - Initial release of Next.js, offering server-side rendering and static site generation for React applications, focusing on performance and developer experience.</li><li>Nuxt.js - Launched as a framework for Vue.js applications to simplify the development of universal or single-page Vue apps.</li><li>Svelte - First release of Svelte, introducing a new approach by shifting much of the work to compile time, aiming for faster runtime performance and smaller bundle sizes.</li></ul>2017<ul><li>Preact X - Introduction of Preact X, offering a smaller, faster alternative to React with the same modern API.</li><li>Vue CLI 3 - Release of Vue CLI 3, providing a standardized toolchain for Vue.js development.</li></ul>2018<ul><li>Angular Ivy - Preview release of Angular Ivy, a next-generation compilation and rendering pipeline, aiming for better performance and smaller bundle sizes.</li></ul>2019<ul><li>Svelte 3 - Major update to Svelte, introducing a new reactivity model that makes it easier to write performant applications with less boilerplate.</li></ul>2020<ul><li>Vue 3.0 - Release of Vue 3.0, introducing the Composition API, improved performance, and better TypeScript integration.</li><li>React 17 - Introduction of React 17, focusing on making future upgrades easier with changes like event delegation improvements and new JSX transforms.</li></ul>2021<ul><li>SvelteKit - Beta release of SvelteKit, offering a framework for building highly optimized web applications with Svelte, focusing on server-side rendering and static site generation.</li><li>Vite - Gaining popularity, Vite, a build tool that significantly improves the developer experience with its fast hot module replacement (HMR).</li></ul>2022 - Present<ul><li>React 18 - Released with improvements like automatic batching, new APIs for concurrency, and better server-side rendering support.</li><li>Astro - Introduction of Astro, a new kind of static site generator that delivers lightning-fast performance with less client-side JavaScript.</li><li>Solid.js - Solid.js emerges as a notable framework focusing on reactivity without a virtual DOM, aiming for optimal performance and fine-grained reactivity.</li><li>Qwik - Announcement and introduction of Qwik as a frontend framework designed for optimal loading performance through resumability and efficient code delivery mechanisms.</li></ul>

While you're reading this article, chances are that a new JavaScript framework or library is being actively developed, or even released.

Evolution of Frontend Technologies Since 2014

Slow website costing you customers? Discover 10 practical ways to enhance your site&#039;s performance and keep visitors engaged.

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Speed Up Your Website in 10 Easy Steps

A swift website is key to keeping visitors on your page and turning them into customers. We recently helped a client improve their site&#039;s speed, which led to better Google rankings and more satisfied users. Here&#039;s what we learned, broken down into 10 actionable steps:<ol><li>Streamline Your ImagesLarge images can slow down your site significantly. Use the right format for each image: JPEG for photos, PNG for graphics with transparent areas. Don&#039;t overlook newer formats like WebP and AVIF, which offer better compression. For logos and icons, SVG is ideal as it stays sharp at any size.For images further down the page, use &quot;lazy loading.&quot; This technique tells the browser to load these images only when they&#039;re about to come into view. Here&#039;s a simple way to add lazy loading to your images:<pre><code>&lt;img src=&quot;image.jpg&quot; loading=&quot;lazy&quot; alt=&quot;Product showcase&quot;&gt;</code></pre></li><li>Use Browser CachingBrowser caching lets visitors&#039; browsers save parts of your site, so it loads faster on repeat visits. Set up your server to tell browsers which files to save and for how long. If you&#039;re using WordPress, the W3 Total Cache plugin can help you implement this easily.</li><li>Simplify Your CodeRemoving extra spaces and characters from your site&#039;s code can make a big difference. This process, called minification, can be done with tools like UglifyJS for JavaScript and cssnano for CSS. WordPress users can try the Autoptimize plugin to handle this automatically.</li><li>Enable CompressionGzip compression squeezes your web pages to make them smaller before sending them to visitors. This means faster load times. Turn on Gzip on your web server, or ask your hosting company for help if you&#039;re not sure how to do this. Here&#039;s a simple configuration for Apache servers: <pre><code>&lt;IfModule mod_deflate.c&gt; 
 AddOutputFilterByType DEFLATE text/html text/plain text/xml text/css text/javascript application/javascript
&lt;/IfModule&gt;</code></pre>While Gzip is still relevant, also look into Brotli compression, which offers better compression ratios for text-based resources. Some CDNs now offer automatic Brotli compression.</li><li>Utilize Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)A CDN puts copies of your site on servers around the world, so it loads faster for everyone, regardless of their location. Services like Cloudflare, Amazon CloudFront, or StackPath can help you set this up. Use a CDN especially for static content like images, CSS, and JavaScript files.</li><li>Load Important Things FirstEnsure the top part of your page loads quickly by prioritizing critical content. Put essential CSS directly in the HTML file and load less important scripts later. For crucial images at the top of the page, use the fetchpriority attribute:<pre><code>&lt;img src=&quot;main-image.jpg&quot; fetchpriority=&quot;high&quot; alt=&quot;Main Image&quot;&gt;</code></pre></li><li>Improve Server Response TimeA fast server means faster response times. Improve how your site talks to its database, use server caching, and consider upgrading your hosting plan if needed. These backend optimizations can significantly impact your site&#039;s overall speed.</li><li>Reduce File RequestsCut down on the number of separate files your page needs to load. Combine multiple CSS or JavaScript files where possible. For small, repeated images, consider using CSS sprites. Fewer requests mean faster load times.</li><li>Handle JavaScript EfficientlyPrevent JavaScript from slowing down your page load by using &quot;async&quot; or &quot;defer&quot; attributes on script tags. Load non-critical scripts after the main page content. This ensures that important content is displayed quickly, even if some features take a bit longer to become active.</li><li>Break Up Complex TasksHelp your site stay responsive by splitting up big jobs. Use the &quot;yield&quot; keyword in JavaScript to let the browser handle other tasks in between parts of a big job. For really heavy tasks, consider using web workers. Here&#039;s a simple example of breaking up a big task:function* <pre><code>bigTask() {
 for (let i = 0; i &lt; 1000000; i++) {
 if (i % 1000 === 0) yield;
 // Do work here
 }
}

function runTask() {
 const iterator = bigTask();
 function keepGoing() {
 const result = iterator.next();
 if (!result.done) {
 requestIdleCallback(keepGoing);
 }
 }
 requestIdleCallback(keepGoing);
}</code></pre></li></ol>

Want to stop losing customers to a slow website?

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Implementing these steps isn&#039;t just about technical improvements—it&#039;s about enhancing your business&#039;s digital presence. A faster website can lead to:<ol><li>Improved User Satisfaction: When your site loads quickly, visitors are more likely to stay and engage with your content or products.</li><li>Higher Conversion Rates: Speed directly impacts sales. Studies show that even a one-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% loss in conversions.</li><li>Better Search Engine Rankings: Search engines favor faster websites, potentially improving your visibility to potential customers.</li><li>Reduced Bounce Rates: Visitors are less likely to leave your site if pages load swiftly, giving you more opportunities to convey your message or showcase your offerings.</li><li>Mobile User Retention: With more users accessing sites via mobile devices, a fast-loading mobile site is crucial for retaining this growing audience.</li><li>Cost Efficiency: Optimized sites often require less bandwidth and server resources, potentially reducing hosting costs.</li></ol>Remember, website speed optimization is an ongoing process. As technologies evolve and user expectations change, regularly revisiting these strategies will help ensure your site continues to perform at its best.By prioritizing your website&#039;s performance, you&#039;re not just improving a technical aspect of your business - you&#039;re enhancing the overall experience for your customers and setting a strong foundation for your online success.

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Discover 10 practical steps to enhance your website's speed and performance. Learn how faster load times can improve user experience and drive business growth.

10 Ways to Speed Up Your Website and Boost Business

Speed Up Your Website in 10 Easy Steps

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in web development marks a transformative era in the digital world. As a web development agency, our journey with AI tools, specifically GPT-4 and GitHub Copilot, has reshaped our approach to development tasks, enhancing both efficiency and creativity.

Integrating AI in Web Development

<h3>GPT-4 and GitHub Copilot - Pioneers of AI Assistance</h3>GPT-4, a marvel of OpenAI, excels in understanding and generating human-like text, while GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI&#039;s Codex, serves as an AI pair programmer directly within the code editor. These tools embody the fusion of AI with web development, streamlining code generation, content creation, and problem-solving.Our experience integrating GPT-4 and GitHub Copilot into development projects has been nothing short of revolutionary. GPT-4 has automated content generation and provided solutions to coding challenges, saving invaluable time. GitHub Copilot, with its real-time code suggestions, has accelerated project timelines and improved code quality, guiding us through the development process with unprecedented ease.<h3>AI in workflow</h3>

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In one of our projects, one developer was faced with a tight deadline and the task of delivering a high-quality product using a technology stack that was relatively new to him. The challenge was not just to learn and apply this new technology swiftly but also to ensure that the final product adhered to industry best practices and was optimized for performance. This is where the capabilities of GPT, particularly its latest iteration, became a game-changer.GPT served as a resource in this high-pressure situation. It acted as a dynamic learning assistant, providing him with concise explanations, relevant examples, and best practices related to the new technology stack. This AI-driven guidance significantly accelerated the learning process, allowing him to quickly become proficient enough to start building the project with confidence.Thanks to the support provided by GPT, he was able to complete the project within the set deadline, meeting all specified requirements and quality standards. This experience showed how AI tools like GPT can be leveraged to quickly adapt to new technologies, optimize development practices, and deliver projects successfully, even under challenging conditions.<h3>Revolutionizing Development with AI Integration</h3>

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The integration of AI technologies like GPT-4 and GitHub Copilot into the web development process has led to a remarkable transformation in how projects are executed. This shift has not only significantly accelerated development timelines, allowing tasks that once took weeks to be completed in mere days, but it has also brought about a substantial improvement in the overall quality of the code produced. The precision and efficiency provided by these AI tools have greatly reduced the time spent on debugging, thereby optimizing the development cycle and enhancing productivity.Moreover, the use of AI in development has opened up new avenues for tackling more complex and ambitious projects. By automating routine tasks and offering intelligent suggestions for both backend and frontend development, these AI assistants empower developers to focus on innovation and creativity. This holistic enhancement of the development workflow demonstrates the potential of AI to elevate efficiency and user engagement across various projects, reshaping the landscape of web development with its capabilities.<h3>The Balance Between AI Assistance and Human Expertise</h3>

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While the benefits of AI in web development are immense, it&#039;s crucial to address the limitations and ethical considerations. AI tools depend on vast datasets and algorithms that may not always align with the nuanced requirements of every project. The key to successful integration lies in combining AI&#039;s computational power with human creativity and oversight, ensuring the delivery of innovative and secure web solutions.To use the full potential of AI while mitigating risks, developers should maintain an active role in the decision-making process, critically assessing AI-generated suggestions and staying informed about the latest advancements in AI technology and web development practices.<h3>The Future of AI in Web Development</h3>Looking ahead, the role of AI in web development is set to expand, with emerging technologies offering even more sophisticated tools for code generation, personalized user experiences, and automated testing. The future promises a seamless integration of AI, further blurring the lines between human and machine collaboration in the creation of digital experiences.We urge our fellow developers and readers to explore and experiment with AI tools like GPT-4 and GitHub Copilot. The journey into AI-assisted development not only enhances your current projects but also equips you with the skills and insights needed for the future of web development.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>Integrating AI into web development is not just about staying ahead of technological advancements; it&#039;s about actively participating in the reshaping of the digital creation landscape. By embracing AI tools, we can unlock new levels of efficiency, creativity, and innovation, paving the way for a future where technology and human ingenuity converge to create unparalleled web experiences.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in web development marks a transformative era in the digital world.

Integrating AI in Web Development

Google Maps is an incredibly powerful tool for businesses worldwide, enabling them to integrate maps, geolocation services, and place searches into their websites and applications. Whether you&#039;re developing a location-based service, enhancing your customer&#039;s user experience, or simply displaying your business location, Google Maps APIs play a crucial role in connecting your services with the vast data Google Maps offers.

How to Setup a New Google Maps API Key

This guide will walk you through creating a new Google Maps API key and adding specific features like Maps, Places, and Geolocation APIs to it. Not all projects require all these features, so we&#039;ll cover how to customize your API key according to your needs.<h3>Step 1: Access the Google Cloud Console</h3>The entire process takes place within Google Cloud Console. To access the Google Cloud Console, you can follow this link: <a target="_blank" href="https://console.cloud.google.com/.">https://console.cloud.google.com/.</a> You will need to log in with your Google account. If you don’t have one, you will need to create it.If you don’t have a Google account and need to create it, you can follow the steps on the following link: <a target="_blank" href="https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en.">https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/27441?hl=en.</a> When you open the Console, you should see a screen similar to the one below. If you’re opening it for the first time, it might ask you to accept the Terms and cookies.

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<h3>Step 2: Create a New Project</h3>Once logged in, you’ll need to create a new project for your API key.<ul><li>Click on the project dropdown at the top of the page labeled “Select a project”. If you have any projects from before, it might default to it, so instead of seeing “Select a project”, you might see a project name.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>A modal should appear. At the top right corner of the modal, click on NEW PROJECT.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Give your project a name, select an organization (if you have it) and provide a location. At this stage, the name is the most important part on this screen. After you fill in all the required fields, click on CREATE.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>You should be redirected back to the Console. A notification pop-up should show your project being created and after it’s done, it should show a success. Click on SELECT PROJECT in the pop-up to select the project.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>You should now be redirected to the project screen. If, for some reason, the notification from point 4 didn’t show up, give it a few minutes, reload the page, and select the project from the dropdown from point 1.</li></ul>

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<h3>Step 3: Create the API Key</h3>Now that your project is set up, you can create the API key. It can be created from multiple locations. <ul><li>If you’re on the project screen from Step 2, you can scroll down a bit to the Getting Started section and look for Explore and Enable APIs.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Another way is to click on the menu in the upper left corner to open the left sidebar. In the sidebar, if it’s not pinned by default under PINNED PRODUCTS, look for APIs &amp; Services under MORE PRODUCTS. Hover over it and click on Enabled APIs &amp; services.</li></ul>

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Either way, you should now be redirected to the APIs screen.

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From this screen, do the following:<ul><li>Click on + ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES. You should be redirected to the API Library screen.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>The essential API for adding maps to web pages is the Maps JavaScript API. Click on it. It should redirect you to the Maps JavaScript API screen.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Click on ENABLE to enable this API. It will ask you for certain information, like country, etc. After filling all the data, click on AGREE &amp; CONTINUE. Next, it’s going to ask you to provide information about your account type, address, contact info, etc. After filling all the information, click on START FREE. This will ask you for credit card information in order to use the services. Also, you’ll need to verify it’s a legit credit card. Don’t worry, they won’t charge you anything.</li><li>After you complete all the verification steps, go back to the APIs &amp; Services screen. It should look a bit different now. It should show the enabled Maps JavaScript API.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>Click on the Maps JavaScript API in the table. A modal should appear with some questions about your business, development experience, etc. After you fill those fields, another modal should appear with your API key.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>We recommend disabling the first option, Enable all Google Maps APIs for this project, in order to select only the ones you want manually. If you want to use all the APIs out of the box, leave this option selected. Make sure to store the API key somewhere so you can refer to it later. Once you stored your key, click on GO TO GOOGLE MAPS PLATFORM.</li><li>A modal should open with restrictions. We recommend selecting HTTP referrers (web sites) option.</li></ul>

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<ul><li>A modal is going to add another field in which you want to add your website’s URL.</li></ul>That’s it. Your API key is ready. If you didn’t store your API key, don’t worry, you can access it from the Google Maps Platform. On the Google Maps platform, click on Keys &amp; Credentials in the left sidebar and click on SHOW KEY in the table, next to you Maps API Key. A modal is going to open with your key.To quickly access Google Maps Platform, you can try using this link: <a target="_blank" href="https://console.cloud.google.com/google/maps-apis">https://console.cloud.google.com/google/maps-apis</a>

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<h3>Step 4: Enabling different APIs (e.g. Places API, Geolocation API, etc.)</h3>Enabling different Google Maps APIs is relatively simple. In the Google Maps Platform, click on APIs &amp; Services in the sidebar. From here, look for the APIs you want to enable and click on the ENABLE button in the card’s upper right corner. It’s going to take a few seconds and enable the selected API.

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<h2>Conclusion</h2>You&#039;ve now successfully created a Google Maps API key and customized it with the necessary features for your project. Remember to monitor your API usage through the Google Cloud Console to keep track of any potential billing issues.

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This guide will walk you through creating a new Google Maps API key and adding specific features like Maps, Places, and Geolocation APIs to it.

How to Setup a New Google Maps API Key

Project management can sometimes feel like a complex journey with various stages and tasks to navigate. In this blog post, we&#039;ll break down the essential components of the project lifecycle in software development.

A Simple Guide to Project Lifecycle

In this blog post, we'll break down the essential components of the project lifecycle in software development.