Before you choose your website developer, how about knowing the basics of website development?

This blog will walk you through the step-by-step guide to website development. It will enable you to have a smooth conversation with your website developer and put forth your doubts confidently.

So, without further ado, let's begin our website development trip. 

Step 1: Collecting Information

Before starting to build a website, gathering information is a must. Now you must be wondering what kind of information. Below-mentioned are the significant types of information needed for website development:

• The purpose behind building the website - Each website is made for a certain purpose, which must be clear beforehand.
• Main goals to achieve - Clarifying goals is necessary for a developer to understand better how to create a website and what content to include.
• Target audience - Defining the target audience means knowing the age, gender and interest of customers very clearly in mind. It makes it easy to determine what will appeal to the audience.

Step 2: Planning 

After gathering the basic information, the planning phase begins. It involves creating a sitemap from the information collected in the first step.

A sitemap covers the list of all the topics and sub-topics of the website. The main idea behind building a sitemap is to visualize the website and how users will go from one page to another.

It might seem basic, but it is the most crucial step in the website development process because it decides how easy to navigate the website will be. More easy navigation means more attractiveness. 

Step 3: Design

Once the sitemap is ready, a developer will figure out how it will look.

The look will include all visual content like photos and videos. Here the target audience plays a crucial role as the visual content is selected accordingly.

For example, A luxury brand will have a very different website from a brand with a target audience of kids who love chocolate candies.

Note: The color and type of visual content that will grab the target audience's eyeballs are one of the things that makes a website successful.

Step 4: Content

A website's content decides how easily a brand can put forth its message in front of the target audience and encourage them to use the website. Each website needs quality content that is relevant and interesting so that the users keep coming back. 

Step 5: Functionality

Finally, the actual website development task begins at this stage after all the steps mentioned above are executed.

Every developer strives to develop a user-friendly website that is easy to get around. The actual website development starts with the homepage, and then the turn comes of sub-pages. Furthermore, the functionality also considers the accessibility of the website from both a desktop and mobile phone. 

Step 6: Testing Website

After the website is created, the testing phase arrives. Each website is tested before launching.

Testing many times is proven to be a tedious task, but it is highly significant. A properly running website is crucial for business, or it will impact its image and goodwill.

During this step, the developer tests all the buttons and links on the website, checks the spelling errors of every content and ensures that the website looks the same on the phone as on the computer. All the errors are necessary to remove before launching it. 

Step 7: Launch the Website

Thoroughly checked websites and tested properly are ready to launch. Undoubtedly it is the most exciting part for developers and business owners. Once the website is uploaded to the server, the final check is done to ensure everything is correct. The website is now available for the public to view. 

Step 8: Monitoring and Updates

A successful launch of a website doesn't mean the job is done. It still requires consistent checks from time to time. Mistakes or errors might happen, so to ensure the website stays on top regular monitoring is compulsory. If any problem arises, developers can fix it quickly so that customers or potential customers do not face any inconvenience. 

Frontend vs Backend vs Full-Stack Developers

Here are some common types of developers that you will come across while enrolling for website development services, and you must know their meaning: 

Frontend Developers

Frontend developers use HTML, CSS and JavaScript to make layouts and design real. They ensure all the visual elements work correctly when a user uses a website. 

Backend Developers

As the name describes, they manage what's going on behind the scenes. Mainly they work in programming languages like Java, PHP or Python to enable the server, interface and database to run properly together. 

Full-Stack Developer

A combination of frontend and backend developers makes a person a full-stack developer. That means a full-stack developer masters both skill sets and can simultaneously take care of the front and backend sides. 

In The End

Knowing the basics of anything is necessary so you never face any trouble. Now if you go for website development services, you won't confront any problems during a conversation with your developer as you know the whole process and common terms. However, for a better experience, reach out to SLK Websites, where you can expect quality services and supportive teams of developers.