PHP is a free-to-use, open-source, server-side scripting language. It was developed by Rasmus Lerdorf in 1994 as just basic Perl Scripts for personal use. PHP has become the world’s most selected programming language for web development. The range of benefits has increased the demand for PHP web development across the globe. So let’s understand PHP web development and other associated facts.

What is PHP Web Development?

PHP Web Development is the creation of innovative, feature-rich websites using PHP programming language. Nearly 70% of websites across the world are empowered by PHP and the count is increasing with each passing day with its growing popularity and user-friendliness.

PHP programming language is the most preferred and widely-used open-source language for server-side scripting. It lets you create dynamic web pages and efficient interaction with the databases. The websites created using PHP web development are ingenious and let your clients identify your goods and service with ease.

Why is PHP a Good Choice for Web Development?

There are several reasons which prove PHP as a good choice for web development. So, if you are approaching any PHP web development company, consider these reasons which may turn out to be beneficial for you and your business.

Fast Load Time

Websites developed using PHP take less time to execute because PHP code runs faster as it utilizes its own memory space. So PHP web development is considered the right approach when it comes to speed.

Database Flexibility

If you want to develop a website for your business, PHP would be an ideal choice as it emphasizes the development of a feature-rich website with integration ease to different databases. PHP can easily exchange all sorts of information from databases ease. The most commonly used database for integration is MySQL.

Less Expensive

PHP web development costs less expensive as compared to others. Because most of the tools used for building websites under this program are open source. And you are not required to pay for them.

Other than this, PHP requires only a Linux server to run and several hosting providers offer it free of cost. While for database connectivity, MySQL is available free to use with the PHP web development program.

Ease of Understanding

As compared to other programming languages available in the market for web development, PHP can easily be understood due to its simple features and used technicalities.

PHP Website Development Trends For Small Business

For small business web solutions, the trend for PHP web development has been amplified due to these major factors behind.

• PHP web development is a cost-effective solution because it is an open-source platform and provides most of the tools associated with development free of cost.
• It enables PHP web developers to construct websites easily because it is less complicated than other technologies and offers PHP functions for any business constraints.
• PHP web development supports all your business requirements and they are feasible to bring them into real life with PHP programming language.
• It allows the development of advanced solutions with high web performance like an education tutorial website, large business portal, eCommerce website, real estate website, and others.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of PHP Web Development?

Advantages of PHP Web Development

PHP is widely used for web development and the reason behind this is the number of PHP advantages for web development.

– Open Source

PHP is an open-source platform for web development. It gives freedom to developers to use support files anytime and anywhere as compared to other scripting languages available.

A vast community of PHP provides support for those who are in need of PHP implementation and manipulation. So there is no need to worry for the beginners at this platform.

– Easy to Learn and Use

PHP is simple, fluent, clean, and organized. Therefore even the new users can learn and use it easily as compared to other programming languages. Also, they can use the command function of PHP because of organized syntax almost similar to C. It does not require much time to learn and use for the new users.

– Easy Database Connectivity

PHP comes with a built-in module that lets the websites developed using PHP connect easily with the database. Therefore, there is a high demand for PHP web development if any business wants to create a data-driven website. Also, a website with an efficient database management system can easily be developed using PHP within a shorter time period.

Disadvantages of PHP Web Development

While developing a website using PHP programming language, there are a few disadvantages you will face with the website.

– Security

It is the major concern when you are choosing a web development platform. Not only for the website owner but also for the users visiting the website. The website must be secure. But with PHP there is an issue with the portal security. Because PHP is an open-source platform and websites developed using PHP have a risk of website hacking.

– Poor Error Handling

The majority of developers think that PHP has poor error handling capabilities. Because it does not come packed with a range of debugging tools, it helps to find errors and warnings. So, it is one of the major disadvantages of using PHP for web development.

Differences between Web Development Platforms: Python vs. PHP

Python and PHP are the most preferred and widely used programming languages. Both enjoy a strong open-source background and allow comprehensive design documentation. But here we are going to list down the difference between both programming languages.

Server-side scripting language	Object-oriented scripting language
Highly popular and available in many systems	Less popular comparatively
The maintainability of PHP is less as compared to Python	Better maintainability and change acquirement
Provides fewer security features	More secure with additional features
Functional programming is not possible	Functional programming and techniques are possible

Step by Step Guide to Choose the Right PHP Development Company or a PHP Developer

If you are looking to develop a website for your business and want to hire a PHP development company that best suits your requirements. You should consider the important facts mentioned below to choose the best PHP development company for your website.

Go to Their Website

It is required to visit the website of the PHP development company you are going to choose for your website project. There you can check the company’s website, its portfolio by considering previous projects completed and their area of expertise. Further, you can check their experience in the field of PHP web development, a team of PHP developers, customer testimonials, etc to decide whether it would be a good choice or not for your web development project.

Ask About Methodologies They Work on

It is one of the factors that should be considered while PHP web development. The company should follow the work process. The workflows and milestones of the project should be asked. Also, ask about the latest PHP frameworks and JS, the company will use for web development.

Get Questionnaire

A questionnaire is something that asks questions related to your business, your requirements, your expectations, etc. This step is followed by almost all the noted companies available in the market. Because it is the standard way utilized by the companies to collect information and requirements of the client. So it is an essential step that should be followed while choosing for PHP web development company.

Request a Quote

Request a Quote or ask for an estimate for your project based on their service cost and hourly rates. Check if they are fitting in your budget without any compromise on the quality front and proceed with the payment modes they accept.

Check for Customer Support Service

It is what every client looks for before buying any of your products or services. If the customer support of the company is good. It will automatically attract more clients. Because customer support will always be there for your support and to resolve your query. So check out what kind of customer support they offer, at what time, and through which mode of communications.

Hire a PHP Web Developer

On the other hand, if you want to hire a PHP web developer instead of a PHP development company whose qualities or things need to be considered in web development.

Experience and Expertise

Check out the experience and expertise of the developer you are going to hire. He is a beginner, a mid-level or an expert based on his domain knowledge and experience. So that he can easily understand your project, its complexity and become available in your budget.

Adaptability to Change

Any developer you are going to hire. Besides having the ability to learn new technologies, understanding client’s requirements, customer needs, and others. He should be able to be adapted according to requirements. He should be proficient in dealing with clients without interaction with business analysts or project managers. With changing requirements during the development process, able to handle pressure patiently.

Quality Assurance

If we hire a web development company, it has a separate quality assurance department but it is not the case with hiring a developer. So the web developer should be able to review or test the code and functionalities before handing over it to the QA team. Not only it saves time but also proves the skills of a PHP expert developer.

Clear and Concise Communication

If you are hiring a web development company or a PHP web developer makes sure they should be good at communication. Here good means, effective listening, and understanding, logical email writing skills, transparency, and eloquence.

Because PHP experts with excellent professional and communication skills only can generate better results whether it is on email, skype, voice call, or video conference.

Follow a Standard Approach

The PHP developer or a PHP development company you are going to hire. Please ensure that they follow a standard, organized approach with the tools being used for project management like Gitlab, Jira, Hubstaff, and others, before hiring them. So that the given task can easily be viewed, managed, and updated during the process.

Direct Cost Discussions

Before choosing a web development company or hiring a PHP web developer, ask for the estimated cost for the project development. Don’t consider a company offering a lower price than its competitor. Chances are it would end up delivering a low-quality product. On the other hand, if any company is asking for a higher price, it does not mean that is overpriced. Before judging check company’s or freelance developer’s portfolios, potential clients, client testimonials, and experience in the arena.