Website Development Process Basics
This expert article highlights website development process basics – and the best practices for developing a strategic website for your business or non-profit.
The Number One Myth About The Website Development Process
One of the biggest myths about the website development process is that many people mistakenly think that they can just hand their website developer a PowerPoint presentation about the company or a business plan – and that the website development team will then have what it needs to build an effective, strategic website.
While it’s true that these types of documents can yield helpful information, there’s a whole list of very specific information that the website developer needs to be able to build a website that will positively affect a business or non-profit.
Learning Point: You must provide the website design / build team with specific, written content and design directions for every page on the website.
Website Development Is A TWO-Step Process
In simple terms, website development involves two-phase process.
Phase 1 of the Website Development Process involves:
- Conducting SEO research & assigning a targeted keyword phrase to each page of the new website;
- Determining and documenting the content elements that you want on each page;
- Generating keyword-optimized content & design instructions for every page on the website;
- Choosing, purchasing & downloading stock photos for every page on the website; and
- Obtaining approval on content from the stakeholders, company owners, marketing directors, etc.
Phase 2 of the Website Development Process involves:
- Transmitting the optimized content for each website page, stock photos, and design instructions to the website design & development team;
- Generating mock-ups of the Home page and a secondary page on the website so the customer can see the look of the design, and provide comments;
- Generate a second round of design mock-ups for the Home page and a Secondary page on the site, and obtain approval on the design direction, look, and feel of the new website;
- Obtain approval of the mock-ups and build out the entire website based on the approved design specifications from the mock-ups; and
- Finalize and launch the website.
Website Design Direction Also Is Key
Owners & managers of businesses and non-profits can’t assume that the website design / build team can read minds and develop a brand-appropriate design for the website. Along with the keyword-optimized website content that must be developed, design guidelines must be provided. This helps the website developers come up with a pleasing design that meets the business or non-profit’s goals.
For the website development team to be able to quickly and efficiently build a strategic website, they will need the following:
- Stated Market Positioning: The web dev team will need to know how you want your business or non-profit positioned in the market. Is the company crisp and corporate? Friendly and down to earth? Fun? Serious? Those insights will influence the design, choice of typefaces, and the look and feel of the website.
- Website Color Palette: Color palettes for websites should include 3 deep, rich colors that incorporate colors from the logo or enhance the main color in the logo. Those 3 specified colors will be used in a systematic way on the website. The website development team needs direction on what colors will be used for the headlines, the buttons, etc.
- Content Documents With Design Instructions: These documents will include SEO instructions, design instructions, and optimized written content for each page that incorporates the targeted keyword phrase assigned to the page.
- Stock Photo Selection: As part of the process of developing a website, photos must be selected that will be positioned in various locations on website pages for “visual pop.” The fastest, most cost-effective way to obtain photos is to use what’s called a “stock photo website.” Once you’ve purchased and downloaded the stock photos that will be used on specific pages of the website, you must include instructions on where the photos are to be inserted in the on-page content documents.
The top learning points to remember when it comes to website development process basics is that there are 2 phases when creating a new website:
1) SEO Research & Development of Optimized Content For Each Website Page: Conduct SEO keyword research & assign a targeted keyword phrase to each page on the website, and then develop search-engine-optimized content & general design instructions for each page on the website, along with the stock photos you want used; and
2) Website Design & Build Phase: Provide these detailed documents & images to the website design / build team to bring the website to life with a brand-appropriate website design.
If you need help with implementing an efficient and strategic website development process, contact DeWinter Marketing & PR USA.
