Web Development Best Practices

Over the years, I’ve learned several best practices that have made me a better developer. Here are some of the most important ones.

Performance

Minimize HTTP Requests

• Combine files when possible
• Use CSS sprites for icons
• Lazy load images below the fold

Optimize Assets

• Compress images
• Minify CSS and JavaScript
• Use modern formats (WebP for images)

Caching Strategies

• Leverage browser caching
• Use CDNs for static assets
• Implement service workers for offline support

Accessibility

Semantic HTML

Always use proper HTML elements:

• <header>, <nav>, <main>, <article>, <footer>
• Proper heading hierarchy (h1 > h2 > h3)
• <button> for interactive elements

Color and Contrast

• Ensure WCAG AA minimum contrast ratios
• Don’t rely on color alone to convey information
• Test with accessibility tools

Security

Input Validation

• Always validate user input on the server
• Sanitize output to prevent XSS attacks
• Use HTTPS for all connections

Dependencies

• Keep dependencies updated
• Regular security audits
• Remove unused packages

Conclusion

Following these practices leads to faster, more accessible, and more secure websites.