Ask any programmer or coder about the three things they hate and are afraid of the most. They’ll reply: coding errors, coding errors, and not being able to fix coding errors – in that order. And no, we didn’t put “coding errors” twice on that list by mistake. It’s just reality: the idea of having to see and deal with such errors really makes them mad.
Web developers also have to deal with these errors. The slightest of mistakes in the code and the website will look like it got run over by a truck. Worse case scenario: the entire site might disappear, if you’re working on a live, already-deployed website.
All that being said, coding errors are avoidable, and we’re here to tell you how.
Plan Your Website Before Diving into Code
Jumping straight into the code might feel like an exciting thing to do, but it often leads to unnecessary mistakes. Imagine trying to bake a cake without a recipe; you’ll likely end up with a mess.
The same goes for building a website: you need proper organization and planning.
Start by mapping out what you want to achieve. Outline your website’s structure, pages, and features. Whether it’s a simple blog or a dynamic e-commerce platform, having a clear vision ensures you’re working toward a specific goal.
Sketch wireframes, jot down your ideas, and decide on the technologies you’ll use. When you have a plan, your coding will be more organized, and errors are less likely to creep in.
Use an AI Website Builder to Simplify the Process
Here’s the thing: it takes at least a month or two to build a simple website. On top of that, each site or web app can have hundreds of thousands of lines of code. Coding errors, therefore, can easily pop up when you’re having to put so much work in such a short time.
But if the thought of coding line after line makes you nervous, why not try an AI website builder? According to Hocoos, these AI-based web development tools can have several benefits including:
- No chance of coding errors
- Shorter development time; roughly a few minutes
- Free to use in most cases
Basically, tools designed for AI web development take a lot of the heavy lifting out of the web development process. That, in turn, saves you time and drastically reduces the chances of errors.
When you use an AI website builder, you don’t have to worry about forgetting a closing tag or writing a script incorrectly. These platforms handle much of the website design and website development for you, making the web development process more intuitive. AI website creation tools can generate clean, error-free code tailored to your needs.
Test Frequently During the Development Process
One common mistake developers make is waiting until the end of a project to test their code. Think of it like waiting until a cake is fully baked before tasting the batter—you won’t know if something’s off until it’s too late.
Testing your website as you build it is a lifesaver. After completing each feature or page, check that it works as expected. Make sure buttons are clickable, forms are functional, and everything displays correctly on different devices. Make sure to crop images so they aren’t cut off on mobile devices.
Regular testing helps catch bugs early, saving you from frustration later on. There are also plenty of tools available that simulate how your site performs on different browsers and screen sizes. By addressing issues as they arise, you’ll avoid the overwhelming task of fixing a pile of errors at the end.
Stay Organized and Comment Your Code
Have you ever looked back at something you wrote and wondered what you were thinking? The same can happen with code. A messy, unorganized codebase is a breeding ground for errors. That’s why staying organized is so important.
Use consistent naming conventions for files and variables, and group related pieces of code together. Most importantly, comment your code. Adding short notes about what a function or section does might feel tedious at the moment, but it’ll save you loads of time later. Plus, if someone else needs to work on your website—or even future you—you’ll be grateful for those helpful annotations.
Review and Debug with Fresh Eyes
When you’ve been staring at the same code for hours, it’s easy to miss mistakes, no matter how obvious they might seem later. Taking a break and returning to your work with fresh eyes can make a world of difference.
Consider having someone else review your code, too. A second pair of eyes can catch things you might overlook, especially if they’re experienced in web development.
If you don’t have anyone available, debugging tools and code editors with built-in error detection are the next best thing. They highlight potential problems and guide you to solutions, making the debugging process less overwhelming.
We said it once and we’ll say it again: coding errors are avoidable. Your web development project need not be full of these errors if you know what you’re doing. A proper strategy, smartness, and a bit of oversight: these are enough to help you develop an error-free website.
So get your laptops out, start coding, and don’t be afraid of errors and bugs. Because you now know what you have to do to avoid those annoying error messages in your code.