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What is the Website Development Process (WDP)?
Website development is a set of documented and predictable steps that must be followed to complete a web development project. This process aligns development resources, team members, and stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of a project are addressed on time.
Here is a list of steps that are necessary for a successful web development process.
- Discovery
- Information Architecture
- Wireframes
- You can also Design Your Own
- You can also find out more about the content on this page
- The Development of the Developing Countries
- QA
- Launch
The process of creating a web application or website may vary slightly depending on the developer. However, the basic concept will be the same no matter how large or small the project is.
Step 1: Discovery
Discovery is the first phase in the lifecycle of web development. It includes initial research, information gathering, and collaboration to confirm scope, requirements, stakeholders, processes, and expectations. The planning phase will determine the initial project details and the first steps in development.
We've probably identified all the features that are required to create a successful solution for your website during the sales and evaluation process. Discovery is where we go into more detail about each of these features to confirm the scope and see if any other requirements are not mentioned or listed in our initial proposal.
The confirmed features are listed in a backlog and will be prioritized at future sprint planning meetings. Discovery meetings are usually the longest in the project, as they are the first meeting to bring everyone together and start the project.
Step 2: Information Architecture
The Information Architecture describes the hierarchy and structure of your website. This mapping can help you visualize where and how content will be placed on your website. Understanding the structure of a website is essential to determining what needs to be done. The structure of a website is often built over time and then Frankensteined to its current state. This can result in a disjointed experience for users and a decrease in engagement and conversions.
We can ensure that the website is both user-friendly and search engine friendly by evaluating the Information Architecture and reshaping it if necessary. This will also help us develop a plan for the future of the site. This is an example of an Information Architecture:
- Our team uses data and collaborates with your team to develop an approved Information Architecture (IA) for the new site.
- Our team can use the information once it is complete to determine which page templates are needed for your site.
Components of an Information Architecture
Information Architectures are usually a hierarchical breakdown of content into categories, similar to how you would view it on navigation. This allows you to see your content within the context of a website or mobile application.
We will often include a key that helps you understand the content structure and categorization, especially when color coding is used. Sometimes it can be useful to display pages or links that will appear in the footer navigation, eyebrow navigation, etc. It is important to account for all aspects of your website, even if some areas - like a cart or customer portal - are not in the primary navigational structure.
Here are some tools that can be used to create Information Architecture:
- Coggle
- MindMeister
- Whimsical
These tools will guide you and your team through the structure of an Information Architecture as you learn the best way to structure your website.
How does Information Architecture relate to User Experience?
Information architecture is the process of organizing the website's information into logical sections. It is used to define the navigational structure and main pages. Still, more importantly, it helps to determine what pages, templates, and information are needed on these pages.
This is important from a UX standpoint, as it determines how the information will be laid out on a web page and how best users will interact with the site. The team can then start to think about how best to present and digest content.
Step 3: Wireframes
Wireframes are created once we have identified the page templates to be constructed. Wireframes can be thought of as "back of a napkin" sketches that show how a template will be built. The black and white elements are used to show where the page elements will be placed so that users can adjust their layouts as needed. This step will solidify the information required on each page as well as the structural layout. In this step, the functionality of certain page elements and responsiveness is also started.
The Importance Of UX In Wireframing
Wireframes provide the first visual representation of how your users will interact and digest the information on the website. UX is an important part of the design process. It will help you create experiences that delight users and encourage them to take action.
You should at least incorporate UI/UX best practices in your layouts so that you don't create any issues or roadblocks for your users. A website doesn't need to look great to be a website that works well. Incorporating UX into wireframing allows you to consider the needs. It wants your users rather than those of your internal stakeholders. This will help your website succeed after launch.
It is best to use a professional UX source. You will be able to bring the best minds and most recent techniques into your page layouts. Do your research if you can't find the resource or if budget is an issue. Use best practices found on sites such as A List Apart and Behance, but always remember to put the user's needs first.
Wireframing Tools
Wireframing is not difficult and doesn't need to be complicated. You can create simple layouts using PowerPoint or even a whiteboard. Many simple tools can be used for collaboration and adjustments. Here are some of the more common tools, but the best tool is one that works for you and your group.
Wireframe Tools:
- Adobe XD
- Balsamiq
- InVision
- Sketch
- UXPin
Take your time when wireframing, whether you use a wireframing tool or draw your wireframes by hand. Use UX best practices and consult an expert if necessary. Wireframes will help you create a memorable and engaging experience for your users. Do not rush through the process, and always put the user's needs first.
Step 4: Web Design
In the web development process, design is the creation of web-friendly designs. This can be done by using colors, fonts and styles, images, callouts, or layouts. Web design gives you a sense of how the website will look in real life. Wireframes are used to create designs that retain the approved layouts.
Web design is also considered mobile- and SEO-friendly to ensure that the new site layout is appropriate for users of all devices and is structured appropriately in search engines. A style guide will be created to give users a feel for the general style of the site. The style guide includes the colors, fonts, and styling of each page component. This guide will serve as a compass for all design decisions throughout the entire project.
Web designs are created once the Style Guide is complete. Web designs allow you to see how your site will look for certain page templates. During the design process, you may ask your team for feedback. It is important to make sure the new designs meet the expectations of your team and that they adhere closely to any design or brand standards laid out at the beginning of the project.
Tools for Web Design
You can create web designs using a variety of tools. Most designers use a combination of tools, although some choose to use multiple tools.
- Photo
- InVision
- Sketch
Photoshop allows users to export their files in many different formats. InVision and Sketch are excellent tools that allow users to interact with designs. Users can see how pages like the checkout process or account registration will look by linking together designs. These tools are great tools for showing off designs and also how pages will flow or interact without relying on the user. Both tools also allow for real-time collaboration with both internal and external teams to provide feedback and make adjustments. It creates quicker feedback loops that keep projects moving efficiently.
Web Design
What is the difference between web design and design? Absolutely. The design is the creation of something artistic and aesthetically pleasing, regardless of medium. Designers for traditional media, such as magazines or billboards, will think about the best layout for the content in that medium. Because there is only one consumption medium, they are not worried about users using multiple devices.
Web design is different because the designer has to consider how the page will look on different devices. It is important to consider UX best practices and how users interact with a site. They can then adjust the layout to suit different scenarios. Image sizes and resolutions should be considered to ensure that creative assets look crisp and dynamic.
Web Designers also provide code (HTML, CSS, Javascript) for their designs to ensure that the designs will display correctly once deployed. Front-end development is what this is. Web designers, while the differences between web design and design may be subtle, are focused on designing websites and apps. They have expertise in creating experiences for users across multiple devices.
Step 5: Content
Content Plan
Content for the new website must be organized and ready to load as wireframes and designs begin to be created. It can take a long time to create, edit, or remove pages. Any changes made to your website's content should be coordinated by an SEO expert to avoid accidentally affecting rankings or traffic. The content also includes new graphics, images, or design components you would like to include in your new site. It may be necessary to work with a graphic artist or source images for your website.
To better organize content, you can create a plan that contains each page of the site to be loaded. It also includes links to relevant content and creative deliverables. Status columns are used to track content management and loading. By planning your content strategy, you can ensure that your content will be ready for the Development stage. This will reduce or eliminate delays and keep the project on track.
Content Guide
A content guide will help you visualize the placement of content on your new website. The content guide comes in many different versions, but it ultimately maps out how the content should be formatted for the new site using the updated layouts.
Read More: Custom Web Development Services Or Template Website When Both Have Their Pros And Cons
Step 6: Web Development
Web development starts after the design is complete. The web design team must hand over the creative assets of the site to the website development group to create a full-fidelity interactive version. The team of developers will use various programming languages to convert the designs and functionality into something that users can view in a browser. This includes:
- HTML
- The CSS code for this website is
- Javascript
- SAAS
- C#
These designs are often translated by backend programmers into a CMS for editors and website managers to manage the web content going forward. CMSs can include:
- Umbraco
- Wordpress
- You can also use Drupal
- Sitecore
- Joomla
The site is typically built in phases or sprints. This ensures that all aspects necessary to create a fully-functional version of the website are complete. The web development process continues until the backlog of items has been cleared. Both teams may decide as the project moves forward to give priority to certain elements to achieve business goals internally or to discuss timing with other teams.
Website development will need to take into account any integrations of external data sources or tools. Suppose you're integrating a website with an automation tool like Marketo or Pardot. In that case, you might want to integrate forms to achieve seamless integration.
Alternatively, you may want to integrate your site with an Intranet or internal data source. During the website development phase, backend developers work with your IT team to integrate any data sources necessary to the site. Your team will be asked to give feedback on the website development process as well to make sure that your vision is realized.
The Importance Of An SEO Migration
It's important to recognize the importance of an SEO migration to a website launch. You will likely change the layout of your website, its content, and its structure. Search engines can index and view your website differently when all these factors are changed. You can show Google the path to your new website by completing an SEO migration. This will let them know you're the same company with the same content but on a different platform.
A team of experienced SEOs will typically perform an SEO migration to ensure that all pages have been accounted for and are redirected to the appropriate resource on the site. You should hire an SEO to work with your team before launch if this was not included in your project scope. This work is typically done 4 to 6 weeks before launch, depending on the site's size.
Don't forget about Analytics
As your launch date approaches, you will need to ensure that Google Analytics has been migrated correctly. Suppose you have already set up Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager. In that case, you will need to create a migration plan to transfer the setup to your new site.
It is time to update your Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager for accurate reporting on your website. When building a new website, it is important to measure the site to see if it meets or exceeds your business goals as well as the needs of the customers.
Google Analytics can give your team the data they need to:
- Demonstrate the value of your site.
- Marketing strategies should be adjusted.
- Enhance the user experience.
- The conversion rate is higher when you drive more users to the conversion.
Google Analytics allows you to track:
- Users can also set goals and events.
- Your marketing channels work together to generate conversions.
- Your checkout process or lead forms effectiveness.
- The best-performing content and resources.
- You can also find out more about your users, such as the type of device they use.
Before launching, you'll want an analytics team to help create a plan for migration and implementation throughout the entire development process. This will allow you to track your site on the new one and coordinate with launch efforts.
Step 7: Testing & Quality Assurance
During the entire web development process, and even after it is completed, your team's focus will be on Quality Assurance. This step involves completing a comprehensive checklist for QA auditing to ensure that the website meets or exceeds standards for an efficient and fully functional website. Quality Assurance is essential because it helps users navigate your website using different devices and anticipates problems they may encounter.
Checklist items include:
- Cross-device testing
- Cross Browser Testing
- Testing for bugs and functionality
- Process testing (forms filling, checkout processes, and if/then functionality)
- Content formatting
The audit can help identify and flag issues such as incompatible browsers and widgets that are broken, integrations with faulty code, and formatting mistakes. Both teams must QA a site in a typical web development process to make sure it functions properly before launch. The development team will ensure that the site is functional from a technological perspective.
Your team (the client side) will then make sure that the content on the website is accurate, brand-consistent, and grammatically perfect. Before launching, any issues that are discovered should be addressed to prevent problems with the user experience, search engine optimization, or technical functionality.
Step 8: Launch your website
You're ready to launch your site after what may have felt like an eternity. After QA is complete and both teams feel comfortable launching the website, the team will create a launch plan. The steps that you take to move your existing website to the new site are called a website launch strategy. Transitioning if you don't already have a site is fairly simple. The web development team will make the site live and then point it to your new domain. The transition process is more complicated if you already have a website.
You'll need to develop a launch plan that takes into account timing, org charts, and roles relevant to your business, as well as other considerations. New sites are usually launched outside of office hours to minimize disruption for users. It is also important to decide how the site will be hosted. Selecting the best provider and package for your site will reduce the risk of downtime.
You'll also want to coordinate a date for the launch with your team, as well as the development team, internal IT team (if necessary), SEO team, and Analytics team. To ensure a smooth transition and troubleshooting if needed, all teams must be prepared and ready for launch. It is important to choose a launch date and time that works for everyone.
Launch the site. You will need to change the DNS settings so that your new website is associated with your URL. The time it takes for your site to appear on your domain varies depending on the launch. You'll usually see your site running within an hour.
After the launch, there are a few tasks to complete to verify that everything went well.
- The development team will usually go through a checklist of technical requirements to ensure that the site is technically sound.
- The SEO team will run through a checklist to ensure that the migration strategy works as expected, the site has been indexed correctly, and no issues have been identified.
- The Analytics team will verify the accuracy of your data and trackers on your site. They will also ensure that all goals are being met and all necessary settings have been implemented.
All teams must keep a close eye on a new site, even if it is only for a few weeks. The new site must meet the needs of users, be easily found by Google, and have accurate tracking and measurement for data-driven decisions.
How do you hire web developers to work on your website development project?
You need top web developers who have extensive experience in this field if you want to create a website that is scalable and has dynamic features. A robust hiring funnel is essential to streamline the various stages of the hiring procedure. Your web development project will be impacted by the quality and reliability of your web developers.
Cyber Infrastructure.Inc, a leading hiring platform in the industry, has created a pipeline of Silicon Valley-caliber software developers who have been rigorously vetted for large-scale companies all over the world. Intelligent Talent Cloud, our AI-powered software, helps source, vet, and match the best talent available in the industry.
The conclusion of the article is:
The principles remain the same, even if the process changes. By sticking to a tried-and-true process, you will have a better idea of what's needed both in the short and long term. This will help keep your project on track.
Understanding and following an ideal web development process can help your team to execute a project more efficiently. A professional website development agency with proven skills, such as Cyber Infrastructure.Inc, will ensure that you're working with a team who has been through the process many times. A professional team is a great way to relieve some of the stress associated with website migrations and development projects.
