There are several documented methodologies and procedures used in a qualitative process to develop a website or web application. These processes generally ensure a functional product built to specification when a project is completed. However, most of the processes are for internal personnel or those involved in the industry and aren't always customer friendly. Business owners (usually) don't want to know Step A, B and C is needed before Step D, what they want to know is Step Z... can you make their vision into a reality?
Part 1: The Planning Phase
As with any major undertaking, adequate planning is essential to success. A common misconception about web development [http://www.ablewebpro.com/web-design-development-services] is that if you build it they will come (to quote a famous movie). Many people still flood to the web as way to earn income sometimes with unrealistic expectations so a word of caution before you head out to make your millions, do your research.
The most fundamental question that must be answered before you begin to build a website is what is the purpose. There are many purposes for websites some serve as an extension to a brick and mortar establishment providing customers with an easy way to find out more about a company or to extend products for purchase through an online outlet... an ecommerce application. Others are not so concerned with a customer interaction and are looking for more in-depth backend functionality providing a way for team members to interact, share documents... a communication vehicle for remote offices. Whatever the need, it's important to identify the major purposes for the website and the reasons for building one.
During the initial discovery stage, market research play heavily into purpose. Is this a new market you are trying to create for your product/service or is there already an existing market? What are the demographics who you want to reach and how will your reach them? Are you a local, regional, national or international business? What areas do you want to specifically target?
The next step in the planning phase is to determine how a customer will use your site. Think about your interactions on the web. What do you like about a particular website? Why do you like it? Is it easy to navigate and find the information you need? If you have an existing website, what are your customers saying? Try to solicit feedback from as many sources as possible or if you do not currently have a website, form a focus group.
Now comes the fun part... determining the design. Web design is essential because it is the first impression. If your website is an extension of a brick and mortar establishment, then consistent branding will probably be a major priority in the design. If this is a completely new venture like a start-up consulting business or new product introduction, then creating a brand with your website may be a top priority. Use graphics to help tell your story and animation sparingly. Not only are animations distracting to the eye but are also primarily built in scripting languages such as java script or flash which can be optionally (turned on or off in a browser) viewed by the end-user rendering your site as incomplete in some cases.
The last part of the planning phase but most definitely not the least in importance is determining the content you want to add to your site. Content is as strategic as it is informative and too much of a good thing is never good. Consumers who regularly surf the web to find products and services know what they are looking for and with the vast amount of information on the web, your chance to grab their attention is all of about 2.2 seconds. That begin said, your landing pages or top level pages should consist of an overview of products or services, concise information that beckons the potential customer to dig deeper to learn more.
Part 1: The Planning Phase
As with any major undertaking, adequate planning is essential to success. A common misconception about web development [http://www.ablewebpro.com/web-design-development-services] is that if you build it they will come (to quote a famous movie). Many people still flood to the web as way to earn income sometimes with unrealistic expectations so a word of caution before you head out to make your millions, do your research.
The most fundamental question that must be answered before you begin to build a website is what is the purpose. There are many purposes for websites some serve as an extension to a brick and mortar establishment providing customers with an easy way to find out more about a company or to extend products for purchase through an online outlet... an ecommerce application. Others are not so concerned with a customer interaction and are looking for more in-depth backend functionality providing a way for team members to interact, share documents... a communication vehicle for remote offices. Whatever the need, it's important to identify the major purposes for the website and the reasons for building one.
During the initial discovery stage, market research play heavily into purpose. Is this a new market you are trying to create for your product/service or is there already an existing market? What are the demographics who you want to reach and how will your reach them? Are you a local, regional, national or international business? What areas do you want to specifically target?
The next step in the planning phase is to determine how a customer will use your site. Think about your interactions on the web. What do you like about a particular website? Why do you like it? Is it easy to navigate and find the information you need? If you have an existing website, what are your customers saying? Try to solicit feedback from as many sources as possible or if you do not currently have a website, form a focus group.
Now comes the fun part... determining the design. Web design is essential because it is the first impression. If your website is an extension of a brick and mortar establishment, then consistent branding will probably be a major priority in the design. If this is a completely new venture like a start-up consulting business or new product introduction, then creating a brand with your website may be a top priority. Use graphics to help tell your story and animation sparingly. Not only are animations distracting to the eye but are also primarily built in scripting languages such as java script or flash which can be optionally (turned on or off in a browser) viewed by the end-user rendering your site as incomplete in some cases.
The last part of the planning phase but most definitely not the least in importance is determining the content you want to add to your site. Content is as strategic as it is informative and too much of a good thing is never good. Consumers who regularly surf the web to find products and services know what they are looking for and with the vast amount of information on the web, your chance to grab their attention is all of about 2.2 seconds. That begin said, your landing pages or top level pages should consist of an overview of products or services, concise information that beckons the potential customer to dig deeper to learn more.
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