Standard Process In Website Development

A website serves as the virtual storefront for your online presence and can significantly impact user experience, conversion rates, and overall success. A website can play different roles and functions in a business's online ecosystem, depending on the business's goals and strategies. These are some in many ways that a website can stand in a business's online ecosystem.

Some of the common roles and functions are:

• A website can be a virtual storefront, where customers can browse, compare, and buy products or services online. A website can also provide information, support, and feedback to customers before, during, and after their purchase.
• A website can be a content hub, where customers can access valuable and useful content that educates, informs, or entertains them. A website can also provide content that showcases the business's expertise, authority, and reputation in its industry.
• A website can be a lead generation tool, where customers can sign up for newsletters, offers, trials, demos, or consultations. A website can also provide landing pages, forms, CTAs (call-to-action), and incentives that persuade and motivate customers to take action.
• A website can be a community builder, where customers can interact with the business and other customers through comments, reviews, ratings, forums, or social media. A website can also provide social proof that builds trust and loyalty among customers.

Nowadays, having a website is no longer a luxury or an option for businesses. It is a necessity and a powerful tool that can help you grow your business and achieve your goals. Whether you are a small business owner, an entrepreneur, or a large corporation, having a well-crafted website can benefit you in many ways. Knowing the standard process in website development will help in getting your business website built with no hassle.

Here are the 8 steps in website development that you should be aware of before starting your project:

1. Analysis: The first step is to understand the client's needs, goals, and expectations for their website. We will conduct a thorough analysis of the client's business, target audience, competitors, and requirements. We will also ask relevant questions and clarify any doubts or concerns. This step helps us to establish a common ground and a clear scope for the project. We will use tools such as SWOT analysis, user personas, user stories, and requirements specification to document and communicate the analysis results.

2. Consulting: The next step is to provide the client with our professional advice and recommendations based on the analysis. We will suggest the best solutions and strategies for their website, such as the platform, features, functionality, design, content, and marketing. We will also discuss the pros and cons of each option and help the client make informed decisions. We will use tools such as wireframes, storyboards, sitemaps, and mockups to illustrate and demonstrate our suggestions.

3. Contracting: The third step is to formalize the agreement and terms of the project. We will prepare a detailed proposal and contract that outline the scope, deliverables, timeline, budget, payment schedule, and responsibilities of both parties. We will also include any legal or ethical issues that may arise during the project. We will review the proposal and contract with the client and make any necessary adjustments before signing. We will use tools such as project charter, stakeholder register, scope statement, and work breakdown structure to define and document the project parameters.

4. UI Design: The fourth step is to create a visual representation of the website based on the client's preferences and feedback. We will present the client with mockups or prototypes that show the layout, colors, fonts, images, and navigation of the website. We will also incorporate the best practices and principles of user interface (UI) design, such as simplicity, consistency, clarity, and responsiveness. We will revise the design until the client is satisfied. We will use tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, Figma, and InVision to create and share our designs.

5. Development: The fifth step is to transform the design into a functional website using coding languages and technologies. We will follow the best practices and standards for web development, such as accessibility, usability, security, and performance. We will also test the website for functionality, compatibility, and responsiveness on different browsers and devices. We will use tools such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, MySQL, WordPress, Bootstrap, Git, and Chrome DevTools to develop and debug our website.

6. Testing and review: This step involves checking the website for any errors or bugs that may affect its functionality, usability, or appearance. The testing and review process should cover various aspects of the website, such as code quality, browser compatibility, responsiveness, accessibility, performance, security, etc. The testing and review process should also involve feedback from the client and potential users to ensure that the website meets their expectations and requirements. We will use tools such as Selenium, Jest, Mocha, Lighthouse, WebAIM, OWASP ZAP, and Google Analytics to test and review our website.

7. Launch: This step involves making the website live and accessible to the public. The launch process should ensure that the website is ready for deployment by performing a final quality check and fixing any issues or problems. The launch process should also involve uploading the website files to the server and configuring the domain name and hosting settings. The launch process should also include setting up analytics tools and backup systems to monitor and protect the website . We will use tools such as FTP, cPanel, Cloudflare, AWS S3,Google Search Console, and Google Tag Manager to launch our website.

8. Maintenance and updates: This step involves keeping the website updated and optimized after launch. The maintenance and updates process should include ongoing support and services to the client, such as backups, security updates, bug fixes, performance improvements, and content changes. The maintenance and updates process should also include analyzing the website's performance and user feedback and implementing any changes or enhancements that may be needed . We will use tools such as WordPress plugins, Google PageSpeed Insights, Hotjar, Mailchimp, and A/B testing to maintain and update our website.

Communication is the key to any successful partnership. When you collaborate with a web development agency, you want to stay in the loop throughout the process, so you can ask questions, get updates, and be aware of any challenges that may impact the timeline or budget. You may not be involved in the actual development process, but you still have a role to play in the process. After all, this website or application is meant to represent your brand. That's why you should look for an agency or developer that keeps you informed with regular meetings and reports, and lets you review the wireframes and prototypes along the way.

If the agency or developer seems hesitant to communicate openly, that's a bad sign. They should also be flexible to communicate in ways that work for you. For example, if you prefer phone calls and occasional meetings, and the developer prefers to text, you may not get along well during the process. You'll likely be more satisfied with an agency or individual who matches your communication preferences.

It could also be helpful to use a tool like Jira, Redmine, Slack, Monday, Microsoft Teams... and onboard an agency using it. Don't worry, a professional agency will provide the necessary communication tool to keep you posted with the progress of your project. These collaboration software tools make it easy for you to give feedback, track the progress, and communicate directly with the agency.

If you need help with any of these aspects, you can always reach out to us for a free consultation on defining your scope as well as the required workforce for your project. Dicom Interactive is one of the top boutique website and software development with offices located in Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam and Melbourne – Australia, with over 15 years experience in the business. 

Five reasons to choose Dicom Interactive for your next web development project:

. Dicom has a proven track record of delivering high-quality web development solutions for various clients across different industries and domains. Dicom has successfully completed over 500 projects, ranging from simple websites to complex web applications, with a 95% customer satisfaction rate.

. Dicom has a talented and experienced team of web consultants, web developers, designers, testers, and project managers, who are well-versed in the latest technologies and best practices. Dicom's team can handle any web development challenge, from front-end to back-end, from UI/UX to SEO, from WordPress to React, and more.

. Dicom offers cost-effective and flexible web development services, tailored to the client's specific needs and budget. Dicom can provide full-stack web development, or focus on specific aspects of the project, such as design, development, testing, or maintenance. Dicom can also work as an extension of the client's in-house team, or as an independent contractor.

. Dicom follows an agile and collaborative approach to web development, ensuring timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Dicom communicates regularly with the client, providing updates, feedback, and suggestions throughout the project. Dicom also adapts to changing requirements and expectations, ensuring that the final product meets or exceeds the client's expectations.

. Dicom values data security and intellectual property protection, adhering to strict standards and protocols. Dicom uses secure servers, encryption, backups, and firewalls to safeguard the client's data and code. Dicom also signs non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and respects the client's confidentiality and privacy.

We have been working on a variety of projects across the continents, with focus on education, transportation, entertainment, game, healthcare, insurance, food & beverage, automobile, and travel industry. We can help you achieve your online marketing objectives such as improving web rankings, CRM, traffic,  and conversions…

Let's contact us and talk about how we can work together to make your website stand out.

Check our Services and Portfolio here.

Dicom Interactive