Starting a Website
Getting Started
Not all web development projects follow a clearly defined path. However, the following steps in starting a website should give an idea as to the processes that normally take place.
Although there are 5 main stages these can sometimes overlap and don’t always follow in sequence. Discuss the process with your web designer so that you know what to expect as the project proceeds.
If there are stages that you think require greater attention or that you feel should occur in a different order don’t be afraid to speak to your designer. Communication is the key to ensuring that you are happy with the final result.
1. Initial Discussion and Planning
- Complete a Web Development Brief – this gives us information crucial to planning the project (available on request).
- Determine the requirements for the site and message that it should be sending to visitors.
- Discuss the key content areas.
- View examples of sites that have a theme or features similar to those for this project.
- Decide what material can be supplied by the client and what will need to be produced.
- Price the cost of the project based on requirements and features to be included.
- Deposit due.
2. Preparation
- Collect assets to be used in the project e.g. logos, artwork, imagery.
- If specific photography is required it should be booked and supplied.
- Where stock photography is being used initial images should be selected.
- Supply of any documents (PDF files), video and other media that is to be used on the site.
- Build list of keywords and terminology relevant for the site topic(s).
- Production of copy for as much of the site as possible.
3. Build
- Selection of colour pallet and fonts.
- Determine site structure and basic site map.
- Initial design for the site including introductory pages using logo and artwork.
- Development of advanced functionality for forms, ecommerce etc.
- Search engine optimisation.
- Prepare and upload draft site to temporary address for viewing and client comment.
- Test functionality.
- Make any modifications, tweaks and adjustments.
- Re-test.
4. Launch
- Make site publicly visible.
- Any final tweaks and changes.
- Search engine submission.
- Final testing.
- Client sign-off.
- Final payment due.
5. Follow-up
- Post launch site audit.
- Client access provided where applicable.
- Social media marketing.
- Content management marketing.