Website development projects vary in size and form, but the process stays generally consistent.
If you are creating a website, whether it’s a simple brochure site or a complex brand overhaul, sticking to a reliable website development process will help you create a user-friendly and easily searchable site. This will also help the team keep on track with all the necessary elements needed for the website build.
What is the Website Development Procedure?
A web development process is a predetermined series of documented steps required for successfully finishing a website development project or web application. This procedure ensures that development resources, stakeholders, and team members are all on the same page to guarantee timely delivery of all project requirements.
Although they may vary depending on the project, the website development process generally consists of these 8 steps:
First Step: Discovery
One of the initial stages of website development is Discovery, which involves conducting research, collecting information, and working together to clarify scope, feature needs, stakeholders, procedures, and expectations. This planning will outline initial project information and guide the first stages of web development.
During the sales and evaluation stages, we have probably pinpointed the essential features needed to develop an effective website solution. During the Discovery phase, we thoroughly examine each of these functions to verify their scope and identify any extra requirements that may not have been mentioned in the original proposal.
Verified characteristics are then recorded and organized into a backlog to be ranked in upcoming sprint planning sessions of website designing and development.
Second Step: Information Architecture
Information Architecture refers to the organization and arrangement of information on a website. Visualizing this mapping can provide you with a better understanding of where and how content and information will be located on your website or web app, aiding in the organization process.
To figure out what should be constructed, we must comprehend the layout of the website. Frequently, the layout of a website has been constructed gradually and has usually been pieced together into its current form like a Frankenstein creation. This may result in a fragmented user experience and a reduction in user engagement and conversions.
Through assessing and potentially rearranging the Information Architecture, we guarantee a website that is organized for both users and search engines, and ultimately create a plan for how to construct and organize the site in the future.
Our team works with your team to use data and collaborate in order to create an approved Information Architecture for the new website.
After finishing, our team can utilize this data to determine the required page templates for your website.
Third Step: Wireframes
After identifying the page templates, we proceed to creating wireframes. Wireframes are rough sketches of how a page template will be designed, similar to doodles on a napkin. It uses black and white elements on the page to indicate where page components will be positioned, allowing users to respond to the layout of the elements and make adjustments if needed.
During this stage, the necessary details for each page and the organization of the layout will be finalized. The stage will also involve the start of the functionality of certain page elements and responsiveness.
Wireframing Tools
There are various methods for creating wireframes, and they don’t need to be elaborate. They could be as simple as sketching on a whiteboard or a sheet of paper or designing uncomplicated arrangements in PowerPoint.
That said, numerous user-friendly tools are available for collaboration and adaptation. Listed below are some of the most frequently used tools; however, choosing the tool that is most suitable for you and your team is the most important decision.
Tools used for creating wireframes:
– Adobe XD
– Balsamiq
– InVision
– Sketch
– UXPin
Take your time when wireframing, whether you are using a tool or sketching by hand. Consider the perfect user experience, apply UX best methods, and seek guidance from a professional when needed. Creating wireframes is the initial stage in developing a highly compelling and unforgettable user experience. Take your time and ensure the user remains the top priority at all times.
Fourth Step: Web Design
Design is an essential aspect in the process of website creation, involving the development of visually appealing elements like colors, fonts, styling, images, callouts, sizing, and layouts for websites and apps. Web design breathes life into the new website, providing a more accurate depiction of the final site’s appearance. Wireframes are used as a foundation for designs in order to maintain agreed-upon page structures.
Web Design considers mobile compatibility and SEO optimization to guarantee the website is user-friendly on all devices and search engine-friendly.
48% of people credit a website’s design as the top factor in deciding a business’s credibility. So, it only makes sense to make sure the web design is flawless and compelling.
Initially, a style guide is developed to provide users with a basic understanding of the new website’s style. This consists of color choices, typography, and design elements for the page. This guide will serve as a guiding light for design throughout the project’s duration.
After finishing the Style Guide, web designs are developed corresponding to each wireframe. The initial stage of visualizing your new website’s appearance for particular page layouts begins with web designs.
During the process of designing, your team might need to offer feedback. This is done to guarantee that the new designs meet your team’s expectations and adhere closely to any brand or design standards set at the beginning of the project.
Fifth Step: Material
Content Plan
While wireframes and designs are being developed, the content for the new site should be prepared and arranged for loading. This process can take up a lot of time, depending on whether pages are being merged, added, modified, or deleted. Coordinating changes to your website content with an SEO resource is crucial to avoid negatively impacting rankings or traffic post-launch.
Content encompasses all newly desired images, graphics, and design elements for the revamped website. This could involve finding images or collaborating with a designer to create new elements for your website.
To improve content organization, a content plan is designed with all site pages, relevant links and creative elements, and status columns for tracking content management and loading.
Effective preparation of your content strategy will guarantee that your content is prepared for inclusion on the website once the Development phase commences, minimizing delays and maintaining the project on schedule.
Content Guide
A content guide is usually made to outline content placement on the new website, ensuring the optimal structure.
A content guide has several iterations. However, its main purpose is to outline the necessary formatting for content on the new website according to the revised layouts.
Sixth Step: Website Development
Once the design phase is finished, the website development process commences. At this point, the web design process is finished, and the web design team gives all creative elements to the website development team to transform into a fully interactive version of the site.
The team will use different programming languages to convert the designs and functionality into a format that can be shown to users on a web browser. This consists of:
– HTML
– CSS
– JavaScript
– SAAS
– C#
Frequently, backend developers will convert these designs into a content management system (CMS) so that website managers and editors can easily manage web content in the future. Examples of CMSs consist of:
– Umbraco
– Drupal
– Sitecore
– Joomla
Normally, the website is constructed incrementally, with each page and component being developed gradually in phases or sprints to guarantee that all necessary elements for a fully operational website are finished.
Web development continues until all tasks in the backlog have been finished. During the project’s development, the two teams might choose to prioritize specific aspects of the website to meet internal business objectives or coordinate with other teams.
The process of developing a website should take into account the integration of external data sources or tools.
For instance, integrating your website with a marketing automation platform like Marketo or Pardot is important to ensure that your forms integrate smoothly with your marketing tools.
Moreover, your updated website could connect with an internal data source for member logins or an Intranet. During the web page development steps, backend developers collaborate with your internal IT team to link required data sources to the site for proper integration with website features.
Just like in the website design process, your team needs to give feedback during the stages of website development to ensure that the designs are being implemented correctly.
Seventh Step: Testing & Quality Assurance
Your team will prioritize quality assurance during the web development process and soon after it is finished. During this stage, a thorough QA audit checklist is carried out to verify that the website meets or surpasses the criteria of a proficient, operational site.
Quality assurance is crucial as it enhances the user experience on your website in various ways and prepares for potential obstacles like glitches or improper device formats.
A few of the checklist items comprise:
– Cross-device testing
– Cross-browser testing
– Bug/functionality testing
– Process testing (form fills, checkout processes, if/then functionality, etc.)
– Content formatting
The audit will detect and highlight any problems with items such as different browsers that are not compatible, malfunctioning widgets, flawed integrations, and errors in formatting.
During a standard website development process, both teams are required to conduct quality assurance testing on the site to verify its proper functionality before the launch. The site’s technical functionality will be checked by the development team, while your team (the client side) will ensure the accuracy, branding, and grammar of the content.
Any problems found need to be fixed before the launch to prevent issues with user experience, SEO, or technical functionality.
Eighth Step: Launching the Website
After what may have seemed like a very long time, you are now prepared to begin the launch. After the QA process is finished and both teams are satisfied with the site, a launch strategy will be developed by the team.
A plan for launching a website involves the actions you will take when moving your existing website to a new one. If you don’t have a website yet, switching over is quite straightforward. The site will be launched by the web development team and linked to your new domain. If you already have a website, the process of transitioning will require more effort.
Initially, you should develop a plan for launching that incorporates timing, appropriate organizational structures, responsibilities, and factors to consider. Usually, new websites are unveiled during non-working hours to reduce inconvenience for users.
You should also decide on the hosting for the new website. Selecting the appropriate provider and package tailored to your site’s requirements can reduce the chances of experiencing unneeded downtime or performance delays.
Next, you will need to choose a launch date that works for your team, the development team, any internal IT team, the SEO team, and the Analytics team. Every team must be prepared and waiting to ensure a smooth transition and address any issues that may arise during the launch. Hence, it is crucial to select a date and time that is suitable for all teams in order to ensure a successful launch.
In the end, you will release the website. This involves updating the DNS settings to link your URL with your new website. The site typically needs time to appear on your domain, with the duration varying from one launch to another. Usually, in an hour’s time, your new website will be operational.
After the launch, a few tasks must be carried out to confirm that everything proceeded without issues.
– Your team in charge of development will usually follow a technical checklist to ensure the website is technically stable.
– The SEO team will review a checklist to ensure the migration strategy is effective, the site is getting indexed properly, and there are no identified problems.
– The Analytics team will confirm data and tracking integrity on your new site, making sure all goals are firing correctly, and necessary settings are set up.
Once a website goes live, all teams must monitor it for several weeks or even months for initial website maintenance. Ensuring the new site meets users’ expectations, is easily searchable on Google, and is accurately monitored for data-driven decisions is crucial.
Final Words
Although the procedure might differ, the principles will stay consistent. Following a reliable process for website development will help you understand both short-term and long-term requirements, as well as ensure progress in the project.
Familiarity with a proper website development process ensures your team can successfully complete a website project from beginning to end.
Employing an experienced website development agency, such as Pure Website Design, will guarantee that you have a team with extensive experience in handling this process. Having a professional team assist with website development projects and migrations can ease the burden of trying to handle these tasks independently.
