When you begin the process of creating a website, it is good for you to know the steps taken, from start to finish. Web designers and developers vary in their procedures,but the steps to website creation should be similar. The steps should also be shared with you, the client.
Stay Informed
By doing your due diligence, you will be able to better track progress as your website forms. Educate yourself about the process and stay abreast
of the progress. This will greatly minimize the risk involved with hiring a freelancer or web company. Be sure to read Free Website: Not Exactly before embarking on a “free” website offer.
Informed entrepreneurs are more protected from scams.
The following is an outline briefly explaining the steps to website creation, and a bit of information on each step. As I said, each designer will work a bit differently, but this outline is a tool to help understand the process.
1. Timeline
- Laying out an estimated schedule for each step in the process, from inception to completion.
2. The Gathering of Information
- Domain Name
- Your domain name should be chosen and registered before design begins.
- Outlining the Layout
- Your designer will create a wireframe (flowchart), laying out necessary pages and navigation.
- Content Creation
- The actual text that will appear on your site must be written by you or a designated copywriter.
- Photos and Illustrations
- Visual aids for your website must be chosen and must “appear” professionally done.
- Do you own suitable photos and/or illustrations?
- Can you purchase stock images?
- Will you create your own usable portfolio of images?
- Should you hire a photographer or illustrator?
- Visual aids for your website must be chosen and must “appear” professionally done.
- Audio and Video
- Do you own a suitable soundtrack or video footage?
- Can you purchase stock audio or video?
- Should you hire a videographer?
3. Design
- The physical layout of all elements including choosing a color scheme. The design can be created separately or in a web creation program. Content management systems such as WordPress are popular. In this case, a Theme (template) must be chosen.
4. Development
- Writing HTML code, via a design program or hand coding, and writing any scripting necessary for interactivity.
5. Cross-browser Testing
- The site should be tested on all of the most commonly used browsers, before launching live for public viewing.
5. Launch
- To simplify, pointing your domain name at the correct server folder for web surfers to find.
6. Site Promotion
- Social Media Presence
- Including your website’s URL on all promotional material, digital or printed.
7. Maintenance
- Periodic updates are necessary to stay alive in the search engines.
- Additional, new information.
- Blog posts
You Don’t Have a Website?
In the present marketplace, a website is just about a necessity. In addition, a business social media presence is an invaluable marketing tool. The task of launching and maintaining an online presence is a source of stress for many small businesses. Expertise in your own field rarely crosses over to website creation.
The beauty of the Worldwide Web is the equal access provided to any size business or corporation. A brick and mortar store is an unnecessary expense for many businesses. Consumers searching for what you offer can find you online in seconds. A well-designed and marketed website, along with a social media presence, can help broaden your customer base at a reasonably low cost.
Online Sales
Convenient online sales are now safe and simple. Getting online offers your potential customers access to your products, service appointments or online registration 24/7/365.
For businesses not selling online, a website is your virtual business card. A well-maintained blog or vlog (video blog), sharing your expertise, is a valuable asset to keeping your name in front of current clients and reaching new ones. A blog is also an excellent way to get noticed in the search engines.
In closing, if you are considering a blog but don’t have the time, Chelsi Graphics, LLC offers blog management. For an affordable fee, weekly and monthly, content services for both blogs and social media are available.
