With generative AI models like Gemini and ChatGPT becoming popular and accessible to masses, we have seen several changes in the entire technology ecosystem – be it UAE, USA or Europe. And web development is no exception. You must have come across AI-based website builders, content producing models, image processing apps and whatnot. But with these trends, app development in dubai looks more advanced than ever. This article covers everything about web development that was new in 2023 but super practical and important in 2024.

Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

PWAs offer a native-like experience within web browsers, provide offline capabilities, push notifications, and fast loading times. And they are becoming super popular for so many reasons. Firstly, PWAs can be made with cross platform frameworks like Flutter and React Native. These frameworks are economical because developers can either use ready-made snippets, widgets and APIs to code specific features. Also, they can reuse the codebase of existing mobile apps to build these apps. Secondly, these apps provide a near-native experience on mobile browsers; are accessible and engaging and help website businesses validate their ideas for scaling in the future.

Single Page Applications (SPAs)

Single Page Applications (SPAs) are web applications that load and operate entirely within a single web page. This means there is no need for full page reloads during use. In traditional multi-page web apps, each new feature or interaction opens a new popup or a page which requires HTML loading. This can take loading time and hence slows down the experience. Because of the loading time and speed, Single Page Applications have become popular because of the user engagement and experience. With more responsive experience, the SEO of these websites or web applications becomes exceptional and the business starts ranking for specific targeted keywords.

Responsive Web Design (RWD)

Responsive Web Design is no more a luxury that only big brands could afford – it is now a necessity, and all the more in Dubai where mobile penetration and internet usage is almost 96%. Because all businesses scale from digital now, we need websites and web applications that are super accessible, easy to navigate, compatible with diverse browsers and adjust to different screen sizes – in short, provide an optimal user experience for a diverse range of target users.

Microservices Architecture

In a microservices architecture, web development companies in Dubai divide the website’s features and functionalities into smaller units – called microservices. Then they can use different programming languages and technology stacks to build and scale these different features. This backend style promotes flexibility, scalability and makes it easier for web developers to maintain and grow the architecture. 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

While these models are not new, their applications through generative AI are still maturing and we are yet to see how different websites utilize them in the process. As of 2024, we have witnessed AI-powered fashion stylists that take written and textual instructions from end-users, then recommend fashion based on the scans of the body. Fashion companies are leveraging these websites as APIs in their marketing platforms, and utilizing them to increase the online conversion of their ecommerce stores.

Motion UI and Animation

More and more websites are utilizing motion UI and animation to add interactivity and engagement to web pages. These microinteractions boost engagement, improve user experience, guide lead generation and increase session durations – which are all favorable for online conversion. With advancements in CSS animations, and use of libraries like GSAP, designers and developers are creating rich, fluid and more memorable web experiences.

Cybersecurity

While data privacy related concerns are not new, they have definitely strengthened with the increased penetration of AI in website features. With HTTPS encryption and SSL practices, we have seen more and more websites also deploying 2 Factor Authentication for access, copy/paste restrictions on content and better adherence to GDPR policies. 

AI Chatbots for Technical Support

While we have seen businesses using chatbots for low-scale customer support and representation, websites are now widely using these AI-based bots to reduce the technical support workload and improve their tech-side customer representation. Take examples of hosting providers: they have guaranteed buyers about 24/7 technical support and in the backend, these chats are powered by bots that understand the problem, look into databases and troubleshoot server-related problems in real time.

Static Site Generators

Static site generators like Gatsby, Hugo, and Jekyll have gained popularity in website development due to their simplicity, speed, and security. SSGs generate static HTML files based on templates, content, and data sources. These SSGs eliminate the need for server-side processing and databases. This elimination helps with decreasing the loading time, improving security and simplifying deployment workflows. Because these static sites are ideal for personal blog websites, documentation, and other content-driven websites like portfolios.

Voice Search and Assistants

Not just in ecommerce websites, voice search assistants have made their way to literally any and every website that caters to a diverse target audience. These assistants are powered by AI and utilize voice recognition models in the backend. With these interactions, web developers in Dubai are revolutionizing the accessibility and navigation of information on websites. In fact, website marketing professionals are optimizing their websites for voice queries as to improve rankings on search engines.

Image Search

Image search has been there for quite some time on search engines. But recently, ecommerce stores have provided search functions that work on image recognition models and provide personalized recommendations based on the image. In addition, these ecommerce stores have also deployed image search functions on chatbots so that customers can input images then find relevant products and services.