Programming an Online Platform: 10 Tips for Programming an Online Platform

The internet has now become a constant companion and is indispensable. This is especially true in industry and retail. Applications and web platforms enable companies to showcase their projects and services to customers while also facilitating online shopping as well as the payment and processing of invoices and liabilities. For this reason, there are a number of systems such as e-commerce applications and content management systems (CMS) that deal with this topic and provide companies with a web platform in a short time. If that isn’t enough, then the software must be programmed from scratch. In this article, we will show you what to consider when it comes to the programming and use of an online platform.

The Essentials at a Glance

Development of an Online Video Platform

What Exactly Is an Online Platform?

It is not possible to define precisely what an online platform is. Basically, there are many possibilities and options. For example, the job board of the large international corporation to which you may be applying is a platform. But also the dating portal, on which you may have met your partner, is an online platform.

In a broader sense, an online platform or web app is understood to be a very complex application with many functions and possibilities. They are connected to a database and are often also linked via an API to payment service providers or other programs.

Advantages and Goals of an Online Platform

The advantages of an online platform are obvious. They offer visitors, customers, employees, etc., a variety of options and services. For example, a lonely user can search for their dream partner via a dating platform, a student can apply for a job at the company of their choice after graduation, or a family can book a vacation during the summer holidays. Online platforms are developed according to the wishes and requirements of the company. They are highly specialized and virtually anything you want to achieve with the app can be implemented.

The benefits are also obvious. A good online platform is easy to use. It combines a multitude of functions and is directly connected to the company and its database. For example, the platform can send emails, notify certain responsible persons, etc. Just think back to the last time you used a dating portal, booked a trip online, or applied for a job at a company. Consider all the functions – then it becomes clear what it is about and what advantages and goals such a platform offers. And: What you see as a user is only the frontend. The backend with all its functions and tasks – who is informed when and how, and how the interaction with the platform takes place – is an entirely different matter.

10 Tips for Programming an Online Platform

Now that you know what an online platform is, what advantages it offers, and what it is used for, it is time to learn how to successfully implement such a complex project. In this section, we present ten expert tips that will help make your project a success.

Tip 1: Plan Thoroughly and with Foresight

As mentioned before, an online platform or web app is a complex piece of software. This is not comparable to the creation and programming of a simple website. For this reason, you should begin your project with thorough and forward-thinking planning. Consider what goals you want to achieve with the platform, what tasks it should perform, etc. Also consider how many users will use the platform and which other software or systems need to be integrated. The planning and development of a concept is absolutely essential for the success of a platform.

Tip 2: Procure the Appropriate Server

An online platform consists of a series of subsystems. You need a database to store the data and, if necessary, additional tools—such as the integration of frameworks, APIs, payment providers, etc. This must be taken into account when procuring a server. Especially with larger and more complex platforms, a high volume of data and traffic will quickly accumulate. The server must not only be able to process this, but databases and hard drives must also provide the necessary storage capacity. Sufficient hard drives and memory are therefore important.

Tip 3: Do Not Use Web Hosting or Shared Servers

We advise against using hosting providers, and especially shared server hosting, when creating an online platform. For one, an online platform is very complex and requires high traffic volume, good bandwidth, ample storage space, and security. Most hosting services cannot offer all that. Moreover, a dedicated server can be upgraded if needed. If you run out of storage, you can easily add new hard drives and expand the memory. Another problem with hosting providers is that an online platform often brings very complex requirements and elaborate configurations. In such cases, direct access to the server is often necessary—something hosting providers usually do not allow or only do very restrictively.

Tip 4: A CMS Is Not Always the Best Solution

When creating a website or an online shop, many webmasters and companies now rely on so-called shop and content management systems. This software is easy to install without prior knowledge and does not require any special expertise. Accordingly, it might seem natural to use such a CMS or shop system for an online platform as well. However, this is often not recommended, as such systems are not flexible enough in their functions and capabilities to create a complex online platform. They also lack scalability, and therefore, custom-programmed platforms—even though they are more expensive—are almost always the better choice.

Tip 5: Plan Step by Step

The implementation of an online platform should proceed step by step. You should implement one function after another rather than tackling everything at once. This makes it easier to find errors and ensures that the previous section works correctly before you begin working on the new one. This is important because the temptation is great to immediately implement an idea during development so that it isn’t forgotten.

Tip 6: Hire a Professional Agency

The development of an online platform is a complex and extensive undertaking. Expertise and excellent knowledge of the various programming languages are a must. Furthermore, the task is usually too large for a single developer. Therefore, if you do not have your own IT department with developers and specialists, you should hand the task over to a professional and experienced agency. They will not only develop your platform but also handle maintenance and updates, etc.

Tip 7: Set a Budget Limit

Instead of hiring an agency and simply diving into development, you should determine and set a fixed budget as part of the project planning and preparation. This should serve as the basis for negotiations and for the final platform. Deviations upward should be possible in an emergency, but should be avoided if possible. If the budget is insufficient for the desired platform, then you might consider a phased rollout and gradually implement additional functions.

Tip 8: Plan Flexibly and Be Scalable

While it is good to plan small and start cautiously, you must remain flexible and scalable. Your platform could unexpectedly become a rapid success and need to grow quickly. It might need to be able to implement new payment providers or work with a new shop, inventory management, or accounting system. Perhaps a different database should be used. All of these are scenarios that are conceivable and must be planned for.

Tip 9: Ensure Sufficient Support

Sometimes software does not work as planned. This affects both you as the administrator and your customers or visitors as regular users. In such cases, you should have fast, reliable, and secure support available. This support must be knowledgeable about the software. If you develop the platform yourself, ensure that new employees or, if necessary, successors to the programmer are properly trained. This way, you guarantee that even after an employee leaves your company, qualified support remains available. If the platform was developed by an agency, then you should have some employees trained by them in the system and support. This applies even if the agency takes over support. After all, you never know what might happen. Perhaps the expert is unavailable at times or the agency may no longer exist in a few years. Be prepared!

Tip 10: Ensure Updates and Patches Are Applied

Most problems with software only become apparent after it has been used live by users and administrators for some time. In this case, the developer – whether you or the agency – must fix these problems with a patch. Perhaps security vulnerabilities need to be closed or new functions added. In either case, an update must be developed. Therefore, ensure that the software is update-friendly and that you have a team with the necessary personnel to handle these tasks.

Conclusion and Summary