Besides being functional, blockchain and cryptocurrencies also bring several benefits to Internet users. Most people are familiar with blockchain being the technology behind Ethereum and other digital currencies, but only some know that it can also be used to develop websites. In fact, the power blockchains like Ethereum have over web development is one of the reasons the ETH price stayed high over the last few years. The crypto age, blockchain technology revolutionizes the ways websites are designed. Developers have ditched traditional web designs with static pages and HTML coding for blockchain-based pages that are highly functional, flexible, and secure.
Therefore, no one should be surprised that a new category of websites has been gaining popularity over the last few years, and not for nothing because they’re more user-friendly and efficient than their older counterparts.
How does blockchain impact web design?
Blockchain technology impacts web design in several ways, and one of the most exciting ones is that it enables the development of decentralized web hosting platforms. Are decentralized platforms of any significance for web design?
They removed the need for a third party or central authority, so when web developers use blockchain technology, they access a network of users who collaborate to maintain the accuracy of the data.
Blockchain makes web hosting more secure, faster, and affordable than traditional web hosting methods.
Another benefit blockchain offers for web design is the immutability of data. Since its launch, it has promised to guarantee accurate, unchangeable, and impossible to alter data. Therefore, websites based on blockchain technology are more reliable and trustworthy.
And last but not least benefit blockchain offers is that it allows all network users to see when transactions take place. Therefore, blockchain users can witness how data is collected, used, and processed. Blockchain technology offers transparency, providing web owners with more opportunities to gain the public’s trust.
How does blockchain impact web development?
It’s also important to understand how blockchain technology impacts the evolution of web development. We’ll start discussing the benefits by mentioning the smart contract web applications that significantly affect the way in which blockchain is used in web development.
Web developers consider blockchain technology as robot assistants. They aim to automate business transactions and processes like confirming deliveries and completing payments, which improves the interaction between users and websites and boosts their security.
And this is not all!
Blockchain-based security protocols make the Internet a safer place for all users, an advantage companies can take advantage of when they create business websites. Blockchain protocols transform the web into a more secure place through complex authentication mechanisms and encryption, which are meant to protect unauthorized access and sensitive data.
Therefore, Internet users no longer have to enter their usernames and passwords to access their accounts, they use a special code generated with the help of blockchain technology. The blockchain network checks the code to verify its validity and then sends a confirmation to the website to allow the user to log in to their account.
Blockchain technology was developed to be compatible with a wide range of technologies and systems, so it’s easy even for existing websites to transition to the blockchain without disrupting their effectiveness.
Challenges in using blockchain technology for web development
Now that it’s pretty clear how blockchain technology could benefit web design and development, it’s also fair to discuss the challenges it brings to the sector. The main challenge for using blockchain for web development is its limited scalability. Web developers have highlighted that when multiple people are using the blockchain ecosystem to complete transactions, the system can experience performance issues. However, blockchain technology is at its start, so it’ll most likely be able to handle high volumes of transactions over time. Also, web developers are finding new ways to optimize smart contract technology so they can minimize performance issues. Therefore, this first main issue will soon be a thing of the past.
Web experts also mention the complex development process as a challenge that makes integrating technology in most projects difficult. Creating blockchain-based websites requires more work and skills than traditional web development, and developers must gain knowledge and a specific set of capabilities. The technology is relatively new, so few can use it. However, it spreads quickly, and as it gains more popularity and is widely adopted, it’ll become more standardized and using it to develop and design web pages will become less of a challenge.
And let’s not forget that blockchain technology cannot be integrated in all existent websites. So before switching to blockchain technology, it’s best to review the existing protocols and processes to determine if they are compatible with the existing web technologies. Blockchain operates like a decentralized network, which is a fundamentally different model from standard technologies, so it requires alterations and effort to make everything work together. The process involves plenty of trial and error when it comes to switching from traditional web development technologies to the blockchain.
What does the future hold for blockchain and web development?
Website development experts agree that the future of blockchain in the sector looks promising because the technology can revolutionize how businesses use websites and interact with their clients. Blockchain can support their efforts to improve customer service by enabling them to be more transparent and boost online security. It also eliminates the need for a third party to process payments, which increases customers’ and suppliers’ trust. Besides, blockchain technology promises to provide more secure, affordable, and faster online payments because there is no need for an intermediary like a bank to supervise the transaction.
In addition, blockchain can also be used to verify digital identities because it no longer requires the users to enter their usernames and passwords. According to statistics, the blockchain identity management market could reach $11.46 billion by 2026, which will greatly impact the web development sector.
Overall, the impact of blockchain technology on web design and development is tremendous, as it provides new opportunities for innovation and growth.