The process of creating a website isn’t as easy as 1-2-3. Each development path is different based on the type of website, programming languages, and resources.
The following section serves as a brief overview of the web development process and a short introduction to the most common languages and CMS options.
1. Form a plan.
Before laying pen to paper or hands to keyboard, it’s vital to first connect with teams and personnel across your organization to develop a plan for your website.
Here are some questions to consider before your first site draft:
- What is the goal of your website?
- Who is your audience, and do you want them to do on your website?
- What’s the type of website? (e.g. basic informational, membership, online store)
- What content are you aiming to publish, and at what volume? What’s the purpose of this content?
- Considering the big picture, how will you structure your website for the best navigational experience?
- What’s your budget?
Answering the questions will require interfacing between your web development, marketing, and financial teams to make informed calls. From here, you can list your priorities and develop a schedule from now until lunch. It’s much easier to create a roadmap at the beginning of the process than reverting your progress at a roadblock.