Did you know that Amazon was initially named a Cadabra.inc? But Jeff Bezos decided to change it when the lawyer misheard it as “Cadaver”. Now, when the world’s richest man (until recently) reckons the importance of the name, the design is surely a game-changer. Web designing and development has a massive role to play in your portal’s success – which definitely was understood by Mr. Bezos quite early in the funnel. The reason why he has got THE AMAZON, today!
Now when you are mindful of the influence of web development, here’s a quick guide to help you with the same:
Step 1: Everything needs Planning
If stats are to be believed, slow loading websites can cause losses upto $2.6 Billion – if that’s the case, then it certainly calls for a lot of planning!
Just like every other procedure, planning in web development also establishes the foundation and tone for the rest of the stages. Research must be your primary motive in this phase that includes identifying client goals, target audience, buyer persona, and other details.
Build a site map to guide all the end-users who are either lost or need a quick piece of information. Discuss all the documentation like payment terms, project closure clauses, termination clauses and copyright ownership with the client. Don’t forget to determine all the third party needs like media, software, and resources that you will need during the development.
Step 2: Let’s Start Designing
Let me start with some figures:
- The percentage of design-related first impressions on a website are up to 94%,
- Every 2 out of 3 people prefer browsing on a beautifully designed website
- More than 75% of people’s opinions are formed over a website solely on aesthetics.
- If a customer has 15 minutes to browse on websites, he would choose beautifully designed websites rather than plain simple ones.
- 38% of users will stop visiting your website if it is unattractive.
If these are not enough, you can read the whole list here – each of these stats concludes just one thing: DESIGN IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Designing is simply the process of moving the outlines information drafted in the planning stage further into reality. Begin designing the layout using a wireframe. There are many tools available online like Canva, from where you can easily make the layout of your website. If you belong to the field of web development, you already know what I am talking about. Once the design is complete, you must be able to perceive the basic look of the website except for the content and special features.
Step 3: It’s time for Development
A website is merely a few designed pages unless it’s backed up by bulky programming and attractive content necessary to air it on the World Wide Web.
Speaking about content, 55% of readers spend less than 15 seconds on a web page. That simply means, if your content is too long, 30% of users will switch devices, 38% will stop visiting your website – The numbers are too big to ignore the development of content for your website.
Peer created content and reviews are more likely to be trusted, thus, shift your focus on UGC content. Build a developmental framework and code templates for each page type. Don’t forget to verify links and functionality and include all the fancy features especially requested by the client.
Step 4: Launch is awaited
It’s finally time for the gameplay: to get your website ready for public viewing. This means that this phase would involve final polishing, deep testing of interactivity and features, and moreover, and most importantly, consideration of user experience.
Shift the website to its permanent web server earlier in this phase to avoid any hassles in the future. Conducting tests in this environment is important because different servers have different reactions and different behaviour which you need to know. Check out for glitches and do the necessary revisions. These small changes can account for big differences. Run your website into final diagnostics, using various tools. In most of the cases, during the final testing developers reckon blunders that need immediate fixing. And lastly, do not forget to conduct a final cross-browser check.
Step 5: What about Post-Launch?
This phase is all about the client and business. Educate your clients about their website will all the necessary details and training (if required). Providing documentation and source files is necessary if you don’t want your client to bump back and shoot you with questions. The documentation involves a site map and copies of the framework used.
Before the closure of the project, crosscheck whether all the checks are signed and numbers exchanged. Don’t appear as a ‘You have given me the money, now I am going to vanish.’ In fact, if you want to develop long-lasting relationships, tell them you are always available for any kind of revisions required.
Wrapping Up!
This step-by-step guide is inclusive of the basic web development process, but not exhaustive. In fact, web development varies according to the client base and the industry concerned. Your process can be way different than mine and still work wonders. This article was to educate you about the very basic idea of the right approach to web development.
If you have anything to add, don’t hesitate to drop your comments below.
