The process of website development – the main stages. Where to start creating a website?
Where should you start developing a website so as not to miss anything important and ultimately get a reliable working tool for developing your business?
What are the main stages of website development and in what order do they follow each other? Is it possible to skip some stages or reduce the time for them?
Let’s consider all stages of website development from the beginning of work to the launch in order.
Stage 0. Choosing a domain
Clients ordering website development from scratch must first decide on its domain name and it is advisable to immediately buy a domain suitable for your project.
Why is website important?
Some companies begin marketing their product with naming and a logo, without thinking about domain registration in advance.
But, if you choose a fairly common name, especially one word that means something specific and can be easily used for business in different areas. For example, Unity, Luxor, Hurricane, Alternative, Boxer and other similar ones. Then there is an extremely high probability that a domain with such a name will already be take. Especially in popular domain zones (.ru, .com, .org, .su, .рф).
Read more about how to choose a good domain name for a website here.
Step 1. Choosing a website studio, discussing the task, drawing up the technical specifications, signing the contract
How to choose the right web studio? See ecommerce development company.
Having chosen the studio with which you will work, you will need to complete two more preparatory steps:
- Conclude an agreement for the development of the site – which confirms the seriousness of the intentions of both parties to fulfill their obligations.
- Discuss in detail with studio representatives and formalize your requirements for the future site in the technical task – this allows specific contractors to start working on your project with a full understanding of what is required of them.
- Both actions, as a rule, are due to estimating the technical task. And attach the technical task itself to the contract. Making functional changes to the site that are not reflected in the technical task, may require an increase in the project budget.
The technical task should include a full list of the site’s functionality, its structure, technological features and capabilities. It can be written either by the client or by the studio with which you are concluding an agreement.
In the latter case, the studio writes the technical task based on the information, wishes, requirements and tasks that you outlined during your clarifying conversations.
You, on your part, approve the formed technical task or make additional edits to it.
Stage 2. Developing prototypes of the main pages
Based on the previously drawn up technical specifications. The designer creates a logical structure of the site and draws schematic prototypes of all its pages (the main page, category page, product page, etc. – right down to pop-up windows). Which are black and white blocks without design, reflecting on which page. In what order and in what volume this or that information will be reflected, as well as which buttons will be placed and where.
Why Do this job?
Firstly, it gives the opportunity to once again clarify the technical specifications – a kind of cross-check. Confirming ecommerce development company dubai understand each other. And that nothing important that could have slipped through the cracks at the project discussion stage has been forgotten in the structure and functionality of the project.
If the client sees that something is missing in the prototypes (oh, where is the tracking by order number?). The designer will add the necessary blocks, and the technical specifications and estimate will be adjusted.
Secondly, this allows you to approach the development of the site structure more competently and professionally.
Prototype development is carried out by a separate specialist – an interface designer, who, first of all, when performing his block of work. Is guide by the concept of usability (the convenience of the site for visitors in terms of navigation). Has an analytical mindset that allows creating clear logical structures. Understands what SEO promotion mechanisms should be embedded in the site at the structural level and what affects the number of letters and calls coming from the site.
Some simple projects can be carry out without the design stage. For example, some projects, it is enough to create prototypes of individual key pages of the site. Also, individual designers have design skills and therefore can somehow combine both processes.