It’s fair to say that website development has come on a lot in recent years. Developers now have access to far more advanced tools than previously, and it’s easier than ever to make the website you need.
Despite this, things still do go wrong. And, as anyone who’s experienced an issue during web development knows, errors can have serious consequences.
So, with this in mind, are code freezes still a relevant factor in development?
What is a code freeze?
A code freeze is when a developer halts coding for a specified period. During this time, work on a website typically ceases. But why exactly do businesses use code freezes? To help illustrate this, we’ll give a common example.
Imagine it’s a high-traffic period during the holiday season, and visitors are flocking to your website to buy gifts. In the background, you’re implementing a new code change that you hope will improve the user experience. The moment you push the button, disaster strikes. Your website crashes, and shoppers are unable to complete their purchases.
If this happened in reality, you’d be cut off from a major source of revenue during one of the busiest times of the year. A code freeze would have been a simple solution for avoiding this scenario.
Businesses can adopt various code freeze approaches. Some choose to halt development entirely. Others set a strict set of rules outlining what changes can be made and when.
So, are code freezes still relevant?
As mentioned, website development is far more advanced today than it was even a few years ago. This often allows developers to make changes to sites without impacting their functionality.
Thanks to A/B testing, for example, developers can trial two versions of the same page at once, ensuring everything is working properly before publishing any code changes.
That said, A/B testing isn’t perfect, and certain code changes can’t be tested using this method. You can’t, for instance, test changes made to the backend of a website.
Moreover, with the emergence of modern IAM infrastructure, encompassing advanced Identity and access management solutions, there’s a greater capacity for managing user permissions and safeguarding sensitive data during development phases. Implementing robust IAM strategies can mitigate risks, especially in dynamic development environments.
So, to answer the question we started with, code freezes are still relevant in some scenarios. For example, if you’re implementing a new cybersecurity architecture, there’s a real risk of harmful errors. Trialing a new product page, on the other hand, is much less dangerous.
In general, though, this approach is definitely needed less often than it was, say, 10 years ago.
Five code freeze best practices
If you do decide a code freeze is relevant to your particular circumstances, it must be carried out correctly. To help you avoid any hurdles, keep the following tips in mind.
1. Always optimize first
Remember, a code freeze leaves your website frozen in its current state. If your site is running poorly now, it’s best not to leave it that way for an extended period. Whether you use your website to sell client portal software, provide an AI tool, or write a blog about your industry, it’s worth considering how your visitors, users, and customers will be impacted.
When in doubt, ask yourself the following questions?
- Is my website running slowly or frequently freezing?
- Are CTAs and other important buttons functioning as they should?
- Is my site accessible to mobile users and those using different browsers?
- Can users access my products easily?
If you answer “No” to any of these questions, now’s probably not the time for a code freeze.
2. Evaluate your projects
Depending on the scope of your coding plans, you probably won’t be able to carry out all your projects pre-freeze. This means you need to go through a careful process of evaluating each of them. Which implementations are the most critical, and which can be put on hold until a later date? Taking steps to improve the customer experience, for example, is desirable but probably not essential.
Again, this process can be made easier by asking yourself certain questions, including:
- Is an update essential for the functionality of my website?
- Will a change help to drive more conversions during a busy period?
- Would putting off an update harm my revenue (e.g., by making it harder for customers to learn more about popular products such as your auto-dialler system)?
This process can involve making some hard choices, so it’s important to get feedback from multiple departments and development team members before making any decisions.
3. Set the rules
As mentioned, some organizations don’t allow any coding changes during a freeze. If you want to be a little more flexible, you’ll need to define your rules beforehand. Establish an accountability framework to improve your decision-making at this stage.
If a problem is severe enough to stop your website from working, you’ll have no choice but to unfreeze it. There may be some other reasons for coding changes, though. Ask yourself what issues are deemed troublesome enough to warrant unfreezing your code.
4. Don’t implement a code freeze yourself
Implementing a code freeze on your website can be tricky. The last thing you want to do is make a mistake and risk damaging part of it. Unless you have prior coding knowledge, you should leave this process to your developers.
If you only have a limited team who are lacking in the necessary skills, now might be a good time to introduce some fresh tech talent.
Remember, once the freeze is implemented, you won’t be able to carry out any changes. Extra developers can help you spot buggy features before it’s too late, which can make them invaluable.
5. Make the most of your coding freeze
A coding freeze can buy you some valuable time. You can use this to plan your future coding projects in more detail, create workflows, and build and test prototypes. This way, you can increase the chances of successful future implementations.
This period can also be a useful opportunity to educate your employees on any changes. You can run courses and provide materials to help them understand any new systems. For instance, when introducing a new API, you might offer a module titled “What is API integration?’
Additionally, for remote team members who cannot attend live sessions, you can simply record on Google Meet to capture them for future reference.
The takeaway
So, are code freezes still relevant in development in 2024? The answer is “Sometimes”.
Take time to think carefully about your project, the risks associated with any coding changes, and whether a code freeze might be a viable solution. In many instances, you can probably avoid this approach-but sometimes, it can be invaluable.
If a code freeze is necessary, be sure to bear our best practices in mind before implementing it. With careful planning and evaluation, you’re sure to land on the solution that’s right for your business.
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