The Impact of the Internet of Things on Web Design and Development

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to be among the most talked about topics in the world of technology. After all, it has become a gold mine in terms of application possibilities, use cases and overall potential for the future. From the world of commercial manufacturing to healthcare and household appliances, IoT has already revolutionized almost every business sector – especially the world of web application design and development.

According to a recent McKinsey study , the Internet of Things could generate up to $11.1 billion per year in economic value over the next 4 years, assuming politics, businesses and policymakers manage things correctly. This means that regardless of industry or business clientele, web developers and designers must prepare for the inevitable incoming requests for unique ideas for IoT applications and services.

But how do Internet of Things applications differ from traditional web or mobile applications?

What is the difference between an Internet of Things application?

A traditional web application is a software application that uses web technology and browsers to perform specific tasks over the Internet. Unlike a mobile or native app, these apps run on a web server rather than on local systems.

In IoT, the application is the user-facing part of the system. When using an IoT device, the application runs on a smartphone or tablet running iOS or Android. This allows the user to interact, connect, monitor and control devices connected to the Internet of Things.

While this may seem very similar to a regular app, it is actually quite different. As of now, Internet of Things devices display website information and results, but require advanced communication between operating models and website layouts. These apps are not just digital interactions, but actually control things in the physical, tangible world.

They add additional layers of complications due to large amounts of data, excessive communications, constantly changing user interfaces, necessary levels of security, and reliability requirements. While desktop applications allow access to the digital world, IoT applications have the ability to power home appliances, run factory processes, and even drive cars.

The Essential Changes in IoT Web Design and Development

There are several mandatory aspects of the web design and development process that differ from the more traditional route of website application development, including:

• Dynamic, intuitive user interface and user experience – Designing and implementing a great user interface is easier said than done. Thanks to the different types of technologies and operating systems, creating an application that works perfectly on all platforms is a big challenge. These UIs must also have the ability to accommodate the needs of various user profiles. IoT devices require strong web development and design teams capable of discovering the latest design trends and supporting applications with excellent programming skills to enable choice, reliability and versatility.

• Privacy and security – By its very nature, the Internet of Things controls things in real life, rather than just virtually. Unfortunately, they also sometimes allow for easy hacking, which means maintaining security and privacy is of utmost importance. Web developers responsible for developing these applications must choose strict practices when dealing with connected devices. They should also include many security features, failsafes, and fallbacks to further strengthen security. While making security a top priority is typically every web developer's duty, the risks are even greater when it comes to the Internet of Things. New IoT devices also require user identification, identity verification, and access management techniques.

• Huge compilations of data – Web development for Internet of Things devices focuses much more on system security and scalability than conventional website development projects. IoT devices collect huge amounts of real-time data from sensors, which are then transferred to and from the cloud.

The volume of this data not only further reinforces the need for cybersecurity, but can also lead to massive network delays. Additionally, there is also a chance of data being lost due to network connectivity issues. Developers working on IoT applications must know programming languages ​​such as Laravel, JavaScript, Java, Angular.js, and others that help facilitate scalability.

• Meaningful user interactions and chatbots – In recent years, traditional websites and applications have already increased their use of chatbots, but IoT applications continue to test the limits of what is possible with these bots. Developers must integrate machine learning into these chatbots to respond to queries provided by users without human intervention. This need will only increase in the future. When integrated effectively and meaningfully, aspects like voice search help users utilize apps to their full potential without compromising user interactions or loading times.

• Live insights and responses – IoT already powers many of the items used by many people daily. It helps improve their lives by providing real-time insights, feedback or answers in one way or another depending on the device in question. By using thoughtful analysis protocols, the Internet of Things allows the user to communicate with devices and share information.

Smartwatches, for example, are wearable devices that compute things in real time on the user's wrist. They have the ability to calculate the distance of a run, allow the user to check blood pressure and heart rate and even remind them to get up every now and then while calculating on the user's wrist.

The IoT of today and the future

It's safe to say that the Internet of Things has already shaken up the world of website development and design – and will only continue to do so as the technology continues to advance not only in terms of technology but also applicable use cases. This continues to make a huge impact for the better on the web development process as developers improve their practices to become best practices for these now essential and incredibly useful devices.

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