Node.js development London. APIs and backends that scale.

FAQs

Common
questions.

What is WebAnts and do they specialise in Node.js?

WebAnts is a London web design and development agency that specialises in Node.js backend and API development alongside frontend and full-stack web projects. The team builds REST APIs, GraphQL backends, real-time applications, and serverless functions using Node.js and TypeScript for startups, SaaS companies, and scale-ups across the UK and internationally. 4.9★ rated on Google and Clutch.

How much does Node.js development cost in London?

A REST API with 10–20 endpoints, JWT authentication, and a PostgreSQL database starts from around £5,000 and takes 2–4 weeks. A full backend platform with GraphQL, Stripe billing, real-time features, and a test suite starts from £10,000 and takes 4–8 weeks. An integration or TypeScript refactor starts from £3,000. WebAnts provides flat written quotes after a free 30-minute discovery call — no hourly billing, no prepayment required.

Why use Node.js for backend development?

Node.js is the leading choice for API servers, real-time applications, and serverless functions. Its non-blocking I/O model handles high concurrency efficiently — a single Node.js instance can serve thousands of simultaneous connections. The npm ecosystem is the largest in any language, TypeScript support is first-class, and deployment to serverless platforms like Vercel and AWS Lambda is seamless. For CPU-intensive workloads such as video processing or machine learning, WebAnts recommends a Python or Go microservice alongside — we'll advise on the right architecture during your discovery call.

What is the difference between Express, Fastify, and NestJS?

Express is the most widely used Node.js framework — minimal and flexible, with the largest middleware ecosystem. Fastify is Express-compatible but measurably faster (up to 2× in benchmarks) with better built-in TypeScript support and a structured plugin system. NestJS is an opinionated, Angular-inspired framework with decorators, dependency injection, and a module system — ideal for large teams building enterprise-scale APIs with many contributors. WebAnts recommends Express or Fastify for lean products, NestJS for larger platforms with multiple developers.

Do you write tests for Node.js projects?

Yes — test coverage is a deliverable, not optional. WebAnts writes unit tests for business logic using Vitest or Jest, and integration tests for API endpoints using Supertest. A GitHub Actions CI pipeline runs the full test suite on every pull request. You receive the complete test suite as part of the project handover.

Can you work with our existing Node.js codebase?

Yes. WebAnts regularly joins existing Node.js projects — adding new features to an Express or NestJS application, migrating JavaScript to TypeScript, refactoring slow query layers, or adding a new service to a monorepo. We follow your existing patterns, document every change, and integrate with your current deployment pipeline.

Node.js vs Python for a startup backend — which should we choose?

Node.js suits I/O-heavy workloads (REST APIs, real-time apps, event-driven systems), JavaScript or TypeScript full-stack teams, and serverless deployments. Python suits data science, machine learning pipelines, and scientific computing. For most UK startup and SaaS backends, Node.js with TypeScript offers a faster development cycle, better serverless tooling, and access to the full npm ecosystem. WebAnts builds in both — book a free call and we will recommend the right stack for your specific requirements.

Can you build a microservices architecture with Node.js?

Yes. WebAnts builds microservice architectures with Node.js using REST, gRPC, or message queues (BullMQ, RabbitMQ) for inter-service communication. Each service is containerised with Docker and independently deployable. We also advise on whether microservices are the right choice — many projects benefit more from a well-structured monolith than the added complexity of distributed services, particularly at early stage.

How do you handle database migrations in Node.js projects?

WebAnts uses Prisma Migrate for PostgreSQL — schema changes, rollbacks, and seed data are tracked in version control and run as part of the CI/CD pipeline. For MongoDB projects, Mongoose is used alongside migration scripts. Your database schema and application code are always in sync, and every migration is reversible.

Do you set up CI/CD and deployment for Node.js projects?

Yes — every project ships with a GitHub Actions workflow covering linting, type-checking, testing, and deployment. WebAnts deploys to Vercel (serverless functions), Railway, Render, or AWS (EC2 or Lambda) depending on your requirements and budget. Docker containers ensure deployments are reproducible across environments.