Every business requires a significant web presence in this age of digital. Therefore, we have chosen to standardize the web design process into seven stages that will allow you to create projects efficiently. So in this article, we will discuss website design process checklist. When we design a web page, we work as two teams. One person is in the driving seat working on the design, while another person assumes the role of navigator. The two discuss every little element of design. This makes the procedure more holistic and well-thought-out.
We use a 7-step process for web development. The process to ensure that we meet deadlines and provide a quality project. These phases include:
Phase 1: Requirement Gathering:
Understanding the kind of project, it will provide is crucial to the project's success. The team involved in the project must gather all pertinent details. This will help in guiding the project to completion.
A few questions that you should never forget to ask in any web design project include:
Is this a website design or redesign project?
Who is the primary person who will visit the site?
Are our branding guidelines in place?
How do I find the name of my domain? Is the site is it hosted?
The website's content is complete?
Does the plan include development?
What is the technology you are using to create your website? The language, CMS, Database details, and so on.
Are there any current issues with the website that you know about?
What is the objective of (re)designing the site?
How many pages will remain the same as on the current website? Are there any architectural changes you would like to make?
What are the credentials of your website's Google Analytics account?
Do you require an integration with a payment gateway?
Any third-party API integration required?
A list of tools currently which are available on the website.
There are many more concerns. Be sure not to leave out any!
Phase 2: Quoting the Client:
The amount per hour that you charge your client is up to you. However, there are some factors you shouldn't forget when you quote:
Quote = (Effort you put into understanding details of the site and doing research) + (Effort to analyze data) + (Effort you put into persona-building exercises) + (Wireframing your effort) + (Time required for the conceptualization of design) + (Designing effort) + (Coordination effort with cross-functional groups) + (Effort you put into meeting reviews and approvals)
Phase 3: Persona Building:
Hubspot Academy defines Personas as the fictionalized, generalized characters that cover the different desires, needs, and behavior patterns observed between your current and prospective customers. They assist you in understanding your customers more effectively.
There are many ways the definition a persona. We have found "War-Room" the best way to achieve the desired outcome.
We distribute the 'Website Persona Questionnaire' (download the Questionnaire here) to all stakeholders at the war room meeting. Considering the persona, site owners must fill out the "Design, Content and Website Questions" (download Questions here).
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Phase 4: Data Analytics:
Web data analysis can help to understand and optimize the web design. Google Analytics and heat map study aid in drawing valuable data. This study can help you know what functions on a website and what doesn't!
Phase 5: Wireframing:
Information collected in the earlier stages will allow you to begin wireframing. The below method of wireframing will aid you in getting faster and better outcomes:
Step 1: Start by wireframing your homepage. You will need to complete the menu structure before you do anything else. Try to obtain quick approvals for layouts of pages and menu layout, footer structure, places for social icons logos, logo placement, sign-up form locations, and CTA elements.
Step 2. Worked on the wireframe for one of the content-heavy pages.
Step 3: Do the feedback on the wireframes, and then incorporate the modifications.
Step 4: Complete the remaining wireframes and schedule a review session with those involved.
Phase 6: Web Design Conceptualization:
How long will you devote to your design before beginning your plan? It's essential to give it time, and it's imperative!
Do not start designing right following wireframes. Take in all the details and wireframes before you begin to design the website. This provides direction for your design. This is how we work:
1.Begin working with design experts to collaborate on Design themes (sleek design/robust, etc.). What type of aesthetic do you want your website to have?
2. Create working on the Elements of Design: icon shapes, sets, image filters, and color palettes. Also, look for fonts and color palettes. Look for social icons, gutters, margins, lines, transitions, and spacing. We employ wix.com (free version) to organize the elements. Example: Elements of Design and Color Palette
3. The design concept and the background with your team members should be discussed and get feedback. You must be able to answer any questions asked by them. If your team isn't satisfied, there's no reason to reach out to the customer.
4. After that, you can present the design concept to your client (Wix link in our example). The client must look over and select from the choices provided. We recommend sharing your story and the thinking process behind every design concept.
Phase 7: Designing (finally):
You are now ready to create!
Follow the steps below to design:
Step 1: A perfect website must be content-driven, and therefore it is essential that the design, as well as the teams responsible for the content, share the same team. Meet with the content team to learn how to use the content calendar. The content calendar assists in designing the design schedule. Looking at the content can help in visualizing the layout. Content teams also need to be aware of their design to be mindful of the limitations of their work.
Step 2: Some pages have the same design structure as each page. However, they have different content. It is suggested to have the design team work out the issue and then inform the Content team. The Content team should decide to write the content for the pages that have different layouts in the design first. This will give continuous content feed for the designers, and the work will never stop.
Step 3: Create an outline of the timeline to deliver the final design. Ensure your content team knows what pages will provided at what time.
Step 4: Create the design of your homepage, creating one page with a lot of content and one heavy media page at first.
Step 5: Hold a design review with the client.
Step 6: Complete 3-4 pages for the next Set
Step 7: Have an appointment to review the design with the client.
8. Close the remaining pages with standard formats from the previous Set.
Step 9: Visit with the client who has the final design made.
Step 10: Link all pages together at the final with feedback modifications included.
Step 11: Feed-in all actual content on the pages and ensure it is up for further development.
Conclusion:
The process and phases of design could differ depending on the project. If you can streamline the web designing process, this will allow you to deliver your projects with the right quality and on time, which will be much for your customer's pleasure! Freelancers and agencies often encounter similar challenges when working on a web design task. A good web design process can assist you in tackling these issues quickly. At O2SOFT, a web design company in London, they have standardized their web design process, which helps us provide more effective.