Welcome to Django, a powerful web framework that allows you to build robust and scalable web applications quickly and efficiently. If you're a beginner looking to dive into web development, this Getting Started with Django guide is the perfect place for you. Before you begin, ensure you have a basic understanding of Python, as Django is built on this programming language. Setup your environment by installing Python and pip, then use the following command to install Django: pip install Django.

Once you've installed Django, you can create your first project with a few simple commands. Open your terminal and type: django-admin startproject myproject. This will create a directory named myproject containing the necessary files for your Django application. To start your development server, navigate to the project directory using cd myproject and run python manage.py runserver. Now, visit http://127.0.0.1:8000 in your web browser, and you should see the default Django welcome page. Congratulations, you're on your way to mastering Django!

When it comes to web development, Django stands out as one of the most powerful frameworks available today. With its intuitive design and robust features, developers can streamline their workflow significantly. Here are the top 10 Django features that will transform your web development experience:

1. Admin Interface: Django's built-in admin interface allows for quick management of your application’s data, making it extremely user-friendly.
2. ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): This powerful feature simplifies database interactions and enables developers to work with data as Python objects.
3. Scalability: Django is designed to support large applications, making it scalable to meet growing user demands.
4. Security: With features like SQL injection protection and cross-site scripting prevention, Django prioritizes security out of the box.
5. Middleware Support: Django provides middleware support that streamlines request and response processing.
6. Versatile Framework: Django can be used for a variety of projects, from simple apps to complex websites.
7. Templating Engine: Its templates help create dynamic HTML pages using an easy-to-understand syntax.
8. REST Framework: The Django REST framework enables developers to build APIs seamlessly.
9. Community Support: With a vibrant community, developers can easily find resources and guidance.
10. Rapid Development: Django emphasizes simplicity, allowing for faster project completion.

When developing with Django, one common mistake is not leveraging the built-in features of the framework. Many new developers reinvent the wheel by writing custom code for functionalities that Django already provides, such as authentication and URL routing. This not only increases development time but also introduces potential vulnerabilities. To avoid this, familiarize yourself with Django's extensive documentation and follow best practices. Use the built-in views and forms whenever possible, as they are optimized for security and efficiency.

Another frequent error is neglecting database optimization. Developers often make inefficient queries or fail to use indexing properly, which can lead to performance bottlenecks. To mitigate this, always analyze your queries using the django-debug-toolbar and set up proper indices on the fields you are querying frequently. Additionally, using Django's select_related and prefetch_related methods can significantly reduce the number of database hits and consequently improve the application's responsiveness.