If you work in the IT industry, specifically in development, you have probably heard
the term “full stack.” As a business professional if you are hiring a web designer or
developer you may have also heard the term used, and you may be wondering just
what it means and if it is a good thing.
To understand what “full stack” is all about, and if that is even relevant to the
developer you choose to hire, there may be a need for some clarification about the
actual definition of the term.
The Definition
With the original meaning of full stack, which is generally used between developers
and web designers, it really means someone who understands all the layers and all
the technology behind the complete package. It is a professional or a team having
the ability, technical knowledge, and the skills to work on any aspect of a particular
program or technology. They will also generally have broad-ranging skills in all
aspects of both the details as well as the big picture of programming languages and
systems.
For most developers, the full stack means that the professional is able to work on
everything from the server to the user interface. This means not only designing and
developing but also in troubleshooting, testing and even in developing specific
aspects of the site that are based on what the business needs.
The Benefits
As a business, using a website development team or professional providing full
stack services really means you have a team that can fully customize, modify,
create and address all aspects of your website.
These are not people using templates and systems from other services; they are
developing and customizing for your specific needs. The benefit to you, and your
customers, is that the website is designed to reflect your business and what your
customers need when they come to your website.
Think of it almost like having an in-house architect, marketing guru, interior
designer, and customer service specialist in a brick and mortar store. You could
create just the look, the ambiance and the services you wanted that worked for
your customers as well as your business model. In essence, this is the same thing
your full stack developer can do for your online presence.