How to Develop a Website, pt. I

News Type: Event — Sat Sep 1, 2007 10:06 PM EDT

Over the summer I did a good amount of web design. I have been developing websites for almost 7 years now and have been inventing and reinventing my process as I've gotten older, more mature, and a better developer. This summer I got to evaluate my process to see what I should change about it- how I can make it better. I've come up with a five step process to take me from start to finish. Number one, Planning, is by far the most important part.

A problem I often run into is that user requirements, what a client defines as necessary for their website, change a lot. Recently one client I was working with changed the entire scope of the site, changing the necessary information being posted on it and thus changing just about everything about the site. That is why it is critical to nail down the details as much as possible before any coding starts. Sit down with your client, face-to-face when possible, and ask them to describe in as much detail as possible what they want their website to accomplish. Take down notes and write any of your questions or thoughts down. Then try to formulate something for them. This doesn't have to be on the spot, and probably shouldn't be. Schedule a follow-up meeting to make sure you interpreted what the client said correctly.

At the follow-up meeting, propose something. Most clients will not be computer savvy and will rely on your input. Don't be afraid to make suggestions as to what you think will work or more importantly, what won't. They see you as the expert (because you are) and the input is usually welcomed and valued. It's also important at this follow-up to make any final pre-development changes and tie up lose ends. Add the proposed website/requirements to a contract and both of you sign it and initial each page.

Once this happens, and you have requirements nailed down and decided on, it's time to move to part II- the mock up.

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{"commentId":993309,"authorDomain":"clearcache"}

clearcache

Pretty good article - I think you allude to the step that I view as the 1st step, before planning - that's understanding the goals and motivations of the target audience. What is the user looking for? What do they want to do/buy/find? I think you're rolling that up into the generic heading of "planning" - but I view this as a preparation step, separate from planning.

But overall a good article - the guys at Web Design from Scratch have a really good series of articles/resources as well. I heartily recommend it.

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4 votes

#1 - Sun Sep 2, 2007 12:44 AM EDT

{"commentId":993499,"authorDomain":"silkmesh"}

Babel Fish

There is no money in website design today, it is I gather much harder to please the client. My only responsibility now that I have retired is my own site, of which like a plumber I have always badly maintained. I still get requests for my graphic designs from old faithful clients in London and Kent UK. for the hell of it I don't charge.

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2 votes

#2 - Sun Sep 2, 2007 6:23 AM EDT

{"commentId":993804,"authorDomain":"clearcache"}

clearcache

I think you're right that there is no money in website design alone today. There is, however, money in becoming a domain expert in an industry and helping companies in that industry leverage technology more effectively to meet their specific needs. Despite what some big software providers would have you think, it is not a one-size-fits-all world out there, and even within industries, business processes can vary widely from company to company.

Websites today are just one facet of many companies' technology strategy, however they should be consciously integrated into the overall strategy and process for doing business, marketing, launching products, etc. If they are not, companies will view them as an unimportant add-on, out of sync with the rest of their business, and it certainly would be difficult to make money at it.

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1 vote

#2.1 - Sun Sep 2, 2007 11:17 AM EDT

{"commentId":993975,"authorDomain":"silkmesh"}

Babel Fish

That what I was doing in UK before I retired, software platforms, Internet, intranet, graphic design, company profiling and accounting systems etc, etc. The company still alive and doing well, but the money is not as good as it use to be, too much competition.

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#2.2 - Sun Sep 2, 2007 1:07 PM EDT

{"commentId":993816,"authorDomain":"Pasi"}

PasiDeleted

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JOE CASABONA

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How to Develop a Website, pt. I

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