Six Revisions lists 10 Ways to Cut Down Web Development Time. That's a comprehensive list of time savers for people doing Web Development. I'd like to go through these tips and tell a bit about my methods:
1. Use frameworks
This is probably the most important tip. There are very good frameworks for Web Development for language of your choice. There's no reason to re-invent the wheel, when you can have production quality code for your commercial projects freely. Using frameworks saves you lots of energy, and helps to focus on the stuff that matters.
2. Use an Integrated Development Environment
I'm currently using Eclipse for PHP, Javascript and XHTML development.
3. Modularize (appropriately)
Yes, keep doing quality modular, object oriented code, and you'll thank yourself later. The bigger the project, the more essential this is.
4. Debug front-end issues more effectively with browser tools
Tools of my choice are currently Firefox and Firebug for Javascript debugging. Very, very useful.
5. Code for re-usability
Good classes help. I've been currently studying Design Patterns, in order to gain better understanding of the best practises for class design.
6. Collaborate and track project status online
Email is probably my most used collaboration technique. :) I'm planning to launch a tool in the near future which grew from my own needs for project management, but will be utilized in my future projects for project tracking with my clients.
7. Automate code formatting and standardization
Good IDE helps in code formatting too. Standardization is something, that I've learned to appreciate. It helps you to gain better understanding of other people's and your own code, if the code is formatted according to standards.
8. Invest time in requirements-gathering and planning phases
Lack of proper planning and specifying is the no.1 reason for bad projects IMO. I'm trying to make clear to myself, that I as a developer understand what is needed, what techniques will be used and what the result will look like. More importantly I'm trying to make sure client knows this too.
9. Use code that’s already written
As I said, using frameworks is essential, but sometimes those cannot be utilized in the project. Then it's time to look for existing stuff, and see if there's code that could be used with as a base for your customization.
10. Have less features
Less features and more focus means better product in less time.