Web design and development is a process that starts with the initial idea of what you want your product to be. Then the idea will be shaped into a concept, which will serve as a wireframe to be passed down to the designers who visualize it. Finally, it reaches the hands of developers who implement it into reality.
We have researched and collected the four most important stages of web design. The development process often goes through the following four stages:
- Architecture
- SEO and Navigation
- Graphic and Multimedia
- Launching
Before we start with the stages, web design and development is a complex process that requires professionals from different areas to work together. It’s important to note that each of these roles is essential for a well-executed product and a lack of one results in problems that can be propagated throughout the entire development cycle.
Architecture & Layout Stage
The architecture and overall layout of the site serve as your foundation. In this step, you need to complete the following steps:
- Selecting and registering the domain
- Choosing the best web hosting
- Picking a website-building tool or platform
- Planning the layout of the site
Deciding how you build your site is going to have a major impact in a long run. For example, if you decide you want to create your site using WordPress, you aren’t going to want to switch to another system in the future unless it’s necessary. This is why research will be one of the most important steps for developing your web.
SEO & Navigation Stage
Next is the content of your site. You will fill your website with your written content, images & videos or design your web looks. As you would want to make your audience enjoy their journey when they dove inside your site. This involves things like making sure your site tags are filled out properly and creating a proper linking strategy.
Next will be the navigation on your site. This includes setting up the various categories you are using and adding links within your content where applicable.
Graphics & Multimedia Stage
Next, add all the “extras” that make a site look good. The graphics of your site, for example, include things like menu icons, supporting pictures, and more. You also want to choose the overall color scheme of your site at this stage. Choosing the right colors and graphics makes a big impact on how long visitors want to stay on your site, so be sure to take this stage seriously.
Every page on your site should be laid out in a way that’s easy to follow and gives visitors a sense of continuity. This can be supported by things like supporting videos or images in the same location, a standard text format, and much more.
Launching Stage
Once you have finished and are satisfied with how your site looks, it’s time to launch it to the public. Of course, this is where the real work begins for your site. You should be gathering analytical data from every aspect of your site and using it to make adjustments and revise your page regularly. This is all in addition to regularly adding new content to the page so visitors always have reasons to keep coming back.
In many ways, the ongoing revisions of your site are done by going through each of the first three stages repeatedly, especially stage two. You should always be working on adding new things to your site, trying new features, and seeing what works best.
Conclusion
Take the time to think through what it’s you want your site to do. Once you have everything in mind, start working on stage one and move through each stage. While thinking and planning are essential, you also need to take action.
By following through these four stages of web design you can ensure that you’re moving forward on your goal of having a website operational so that it’s successful. Don’t forget to check our other discussion about the web development process to stay up-to-date and relevant in your digitalize business.
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