Website Development Process: 7-Step to a Complete Website
Website development is a catch-up term covering all aspects of creating a website for the Internet or an intranet. It encompasses web design, web publishing, web programming, and database management.
While web development refers to the building and maintenance of websites, web design is a more focused activity that refers to the aesthetics and usability of a site.
A web designer will pay attention to the layout, colors, fonts, and overall visual appearance of a site. A web developer will focus on how a website actually works and how it can be improved.
The Website Development Process in Brief:
The first step in the website development process is planning. This includes deciding on the purpose of the website, its target audience, and the kind of content that will be included. Once these decisions have been made, the next step is to choose a domain name and web hosting service.
After the domain name and web hosting are in place, the next step is to design the website. This includes creating the layout, choosing colors and fonts, and adding images and other multimedia.
The goal of web design is to create a website that is both visually appealing and easy to use.
Once the website is designed, the next step is to add content. This can be in the form of text, images, video, and audio. The content must be well-written and relevant to the purpose of the website.
Finally, the website must be made available to the public. This is done by uploading the website to a web server and making it accessible via the internet.
Why is web development important?
In 2021, there were 4.66 billion global Internet users and by the end of 2022, this figure is expected to surge significantly. It’s more than half of the total world’s population and it’s still growing. By 2025, it is predicted that there will be around more than six billion internet users in the world.
With such growth in Internet users, the web development industry is also accelerating rapidly. By 2030, the job opportunities for web developers will grow by 13% and the industry will be worth $1.3 trillion.
Website development is an important part of any business’s marketing strategy. A well-developed website can help to increase brand awareness, build customer trust, and improve sales.
A website is the first interaction point between an enterprise and its potential buyers. It is important to make sure that the website is well-designed and user-friendly. Otherwise, potential customers may go to a competitor’s site instead.
Web development is not only important for businesses but also for individuals. A personal website can be used to showcase your work, build a portfolio, or promote your personal brand.
Whether you’re a business owner or an individual, if you want to succeed online, website development is essential.
Website development basics:
In this section, let’s take a look at the basics of website development. We’ll cover the terminologies, technologies, and processes involved in creating a website.
What is a website?
A website is a collection of web pages that are accessed via the internet and it can be used for a variety of personal or business purposes. A website typically contains text, images, and other multimedia.
It may also include features such as e-commerce, social media, and contact forms. A website is hosted on a web server and can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection. The domain name is the address of the website, which is used to access it.
What is an IP address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique numerical label assigned to each device connected to the internet. It is used to identify devices on the internet and to route traffic between them. Every device and website has its own IP address.
There are free tools available online that allow you to find the IP address of a website.
What is HTTPS?
HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure) is a secure version of the HTTP protocol. It is used to encrypt data between a web browser and a web server. HTTPS is important for website security and is required for certain features such as e-commerce and online banking.
On the other hand, ther is also an HTTP protocol that is less secure.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is the address of a website and it is used to access the website and is usually in the format of www.example.com. A domain name must be unique and can be registered with a domain name registrar. Once registered, the domain name can be used to create a website.
What is web hosting?
Web hosting is a service that provides storage space and access to websites. Websites are hosted on web servers, which are connected to the internet.
When a user types in a domain name, the web server will retrieve the website from its storage and display it on the user’s device. There are different types of web hosting, such as shared, cloud, and dedicated.
What is a CMS?
A CMS (Content Management System) is software that helps to create, edit, and manage website content. It is often used by businesses to streamline the process of website development and WordPress is a popular example of a CMS.
First impression is the last impression
Make sure to make an impactful one for your business with our cutting-edge web development services. Connect with our web development experts and get the full plan.
Types of Web Development
There are majorly three types of development categories which are front-end, back-end, and full-stack.
| S. No | Types of Web Development |
|---|---|
| 1. | Front-end Development |
| 2. | Back-end Development |
| 3. | Full-Stack Development |
1. Front-end Development:
Front-end development refers to the part of the website that the user sees and interacts with and it includes the design, layout, and content of the website. Front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create the website.
2. Back-end Development:
Back-end development refers to the part of the website that the user does not see and it includes the server, database, and application logic. Back-end developers use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, and Python to create the website.
3. Full-Stack Development:
Full-stack development is a combination of both front-end and back-end development. Full-stack developers are responsible for the entire website. They use a variety of programming languages and technologies to create the website.
Top Key technologies used in web development:
We can divide technologies into two major parts — The front end and the back end. Let’s explore key technologies in both categories to have a better understanding:
| S. No | Front-end technologies | Back-end technologies | Databases |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Angular | Node.js | MySQL |
| 2. | React | PHP | PostgreSQL |
| 3. | Vue | Python | MongoDB |
i). Front-end technologies:
a). Angular:
Angular is a front-end framework created by Google and it is used to create single-page web applications. Angular is a powerful framework and it is used by large companies such as Google, Netflix, and PayPal.
b). React:
React is a front-end framework created by Facebook and it is used to create intuitive single-page web applications. React is a popular framework because it makes it easy to create interactive user interfaces.
c). Vue:
Vue is a front-end framework created by Evan You and it is used to create single-page web applications. Vue is a lightweight framework and it is easy to learn. Vue comes with various advanced features such as two-way data binding and virtual DOM.
ii). Back-end technologies:
a). Node.js:
Node.js is a back-end runtime environment that is used to create scalable network applications. Node.js is built on the V8 JavaScript engine and it uses an event-driven, non-blocking I/O model.
b). PHP:
PHP is a back-end scripting language that is used to create dynamic web pages. PHP is a popular language because it is easy to learn and it has a wide range of applications.
c). Python:
Python is a back-end programming language that is used to create dynamic web applications. Python is a popular language because it is easy to learn and it has a wide range of applications.
iii). Databases:
a). MySQL:
MySQL is a relational database management system (RDBMS) that is used to store data. MySQL is a popular database because it is easy to use and it is free.
b). PostgreSQL:
PostgreSQL is an open-source object-relational database management system (ORDBMS) that is used to store data. PostgreSQL is a popular database because it is easy to use and it has a wide range of features.
c). MongoDB:
MongoDB is a document-oriented database management system (DBMS) that is used to store data. MongoDB is a popular database because it is easy to use and it has a wide range of features.
First impression is the last impression
Make sure to make an impactful one for your business with our cutting-edge web development services. Connect with our web development experts and get the full plan.
The Website Development Process
The Website Development Process
The process of creating a website is not a one-fits-all. The process of creating a website depends on the type of website, the size of the project, and the team. However, there are some common steps that are followed in the website development processes.
| S. No | Website Development Process |
|---|---|
| Step 1. | Create a plan |
| Step 2. | Develop a wireframe |
| Step 3. | Draft a sitemap |
| Step 4. | Design the user interface |
| Step 5. | Develop the website |
| Step 6. | Test the website |
| Step 7. | Launch the website |
1. Create a plan:
The first step in the website development process is to create a plan. The plan should include the goals of the website, the target audience, the content, the features, and the timeline. It’s a crucial step to take because it will help you stay on track and avoid scope creep.
2. Develop a wireframe:
After the planning stage, the next step is to develop a wireframe. A wireframe is a blueprint of the website and it includes the structure and the layout of the website. The wireframe will help you and your team to understand how the website will look and feel.
3. Draft a sitemap:
After the wireframe is complete, the next step is to draft a sitemap. A sitemap is a map of the website that shows the structure of the website and the hierarchy of the pages.
The sitemap will help you and your team to understand how the website is organized and how the pages are related to each other.
4. Design the user interface:
After the sitemap is complete, the next step is to design the user interface. The user interface is the face of the website and it includes the visuals, the branding, and the overall look and feel of the website.
5. Develop the website:
After the user interface is complete, the next step is to develop the website. The development phase includes coding the front-end and back-end of the website.
6. Test the website:
After the website is developed, the next step is to test the website. Testing is important to make sure that the website is working properly and that there are no errors. Testing can be done manually or with automated tests.
7. Launch the website:
After the website is tested, the next step is to launch the website. The launch phase includes making the website live and making it available to the public.
Why does your business need a modern website?
As a majority of the customer base now looks online for product research before making a purchase, it is important to have a website that is up-to-date and informative.
Branding is also important, as first impressions matter, and customers are more likely to purchase from a website that looks trustworthy.
If you want to stay ahead of the competition, it is important to have a website that is modern and responsive. A responsive website is a website that is designed to work on all devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers.
A website that is not responsive will be difficult to use on a mobile phone and it will not look good on a tablet or desktop computer.
It is also important to have a website that is fast and secure. A fast website will improve the user experience and it will also help with search engine optimization (SEO). A secure website is important because it will protect the personal information of the users.
Hire website developers from EZ Rankings!
EZ Rankings is a leading website development company that offers a wide range of website development services. We have a team of experienced and skilled website developers who are experts in different programming languages and frameworks.
We offer custom website development services that are tailored to the specific needs of our clients.
Our process of developing a website is designed to deliver high-quality websites that are modern, responsive, fast, and secure. We use the latest technologies and tools to develop websites that meet the highest standards.
If you are looking for a website development company that can provide you with the best website development services, then look no further than EZ Rankings. Contact EZ Rankings to get a free quote.
How EZ Rankings Simplify Your Web Development Process
Before you hire a developer and ask them to build a website for you, there is a website development process that you need to know. Even if you are planning to outsource the website development work, these below eight points will give you a better understanding.
| S. No | Web Development Process |
|---|---|
| 1. | Doing the Research |
| 2. | Planning |
| 3. | Choosing a CMS |
| 4. | Designing |
| 5. | Main Development |
| 6. | Content Development |
| 7. | Website Testing |
| 8. | Overall Maintenance |
1. Doing the Research
The most important website development process is you need to do first is a comprehensive research on what you actually need for your business. There are two types of websites that you can build for your business — static and dynamic.
A static website is a platform that has a fixed number of pages and information that never changes regardless of users’ interactions and inputs.
On the other hand, there is a dynamic website that is more interactive, and there are several elements on the website that improves the overall user experience.
Whether you need an enterprise website, a full-fledged E-Commerce website, or a personal branding website, you need to first decide.
Once you decide to develop a website, your developers can give you different examples of each type and it becomes easier for you to pick the right one. Also, you also need to decide the number of pages you want on your website.
2. Planning
When it comes to planning, you need to think long-term and then plan the technologies, CMS, hosting, and other things accordingly. First, you need to decide which type of website you are planning to build — static or dynamic.
Based on the option you pick, you need to choose the right technology stack that will define how well the website performs. You can pick WordPress CMS along with good cloud hosting to get cutting-edge performance.
On the other hand, you can go for a static website with shared hosting, that’s also enough if you only need a website for service or product demonstration.
When you create action items based on your requirements, building a website becomes more cost-effective and faster. It is because your developers also have a clear vision about what you expect them to build.
Once you plan all these important elements, it’s time to turn the idea into a reality by creating wireframes and initial design sketches.
3. Choosing a CMS
If you need to launch your website faster with less cost, CMS is the best option that you can pick. WordPress is the most powerful CMS that you can use as it’s free and open source.
The best part about WordPress is that it’s highly personalized and you can integrate several third-party services if you need.
Another benefit of using WordPress is that you can choose from a variety of themes and performance plugins that help you stand out. However, you need to keep in mind that never download nulled themes or plugins as they might contain malicious scripts.
These scripts slow down your website performance and the hosting provider can also terminate your hosting.
4. Designing
While building a website from scratch, especially if you are not using a CMS, it’s important to first build wireframes to understand the flow better.
You can ask your designers to create a couple of wireframes that show what the overall website and its usability flow will look like. You can compare different wireframes and pick the best layout that suits your business.
The biggest benefit of building wireframes is that you have a design in mind what the final output will look like it.
There are several tools like Figma that let you create quick wireframes for your website so that you can pick the right one easily. The website that you design professionally should look appealing so that you can get the maximum leads possible.
Be it the number of pages, theme, font style, or the positioning of the elements, all these vital aspects become clear with wireframes.
5. Main Development
Once the design is ready, it’s the main time to start developing the website and turn your idea and design flow into a reality. When it comes to website development, your developer will use the technology stack that you suggested earlier.
Developers will start creating custom code from scratch to build the website and ensure smooth functioning and interaction. It’s important that the front-end design should seamlessly work with the backend functionality.
The developers will use the pre-made sitemap to create the respective pages and the needed elements.
The team of developers will start building the website on a page-by-page basis and they will use a staging environment to deploy the website. It will not be the actual domain that you’ve purchased for your website.
The biggest benefit of using a staging environment is that the underdevelopment site doesn’t get indexed by mistake and hamper the SEO.
First impression is the last impression
Make sure to make an impactful one for your business with our cutting-edge web development services. Connect with our web development experts and get the full plan.
6. Content Development
Content is king and you can’t deny this while creating your website. Once your website is fully designed and developed, it’s time to build the content. The content has to be uniquely written and plagiarism free otherwise the site might get penalized by the search engines.
Never copy content from other websites and then use it on your own new website. It will do more harm rather than offer you any benefit.
Instead, it’s always better to hire good and professional content writers to get the content job done with perfection. The content writers will do research on keywords, and trading topics and then start writing the content.
There are several tools that are available for free that let you spin the content. But, you should NEVER use them as they will penalize your website and it will then become difficult for you to sort those aspects. So, for content development, always hire professional writers that can get the job done in a faster turnaround time.
7. Website Testing
Website testing is among the most important tasks that are as critical as designing and developing your website. It is because search engines pay a lot of focus on the overall usability of the website and the overall user experience.
If the user experience is terrible and users are not able to access the site seamlessly on multiple devices, the bounce rate will increase. It will harm your website and its SEO practices.
There are several types of testing that you can ask the tester to perform and ensure everything is fine. If the tester finds some bugs in the website’s functionality or code, you have to get it fixed by the developers as soon as possible.
Some key aspects that need to be checked are website speed, mobile-friendliness, multiple-screen tests, and more. The more tests you perform there will be fewer chances that your users will have a bad UX while browsing the website.
8. Overall Maintenance
Building a website is one thing, but maintaining the overall functionalities is a different thing. As search engine algorithms are also changing rapidly, it’s important that you keep up with the trend and process of developing a website.
In the maintenance, the developers will ensure all the functionalities are working seamlessly. There are several things that developers need to take care of on a website like broken links, website speed, UX performance, and so on.
Regardless of whether you have a static website or a dynamic website, it’s important your team of developers keeps a constant check. It will help you gain an edge with SEO practices and make your website’s performance more intact.
Along with them, you also need to ensure your website works seamlessly on both desktop and mobile versions. With Google’s mobile-first indexing, it’s important that your website should load within three seconds to offer good UX. Regardless if it’s a static website or a dynamic website, it should load seamlessly on mobile devices.
Wrapping up
Keep this website development process in mind while developing a website from scratch. Whether you are planning to develop the website or hire a developer, it’s important that you follow these steps.
It will help you develop the website with a faster turnaround time and with optimized cost. As we move towards digitization, it’s important to have a website and thrive online. Having a robust website can give you a competitive edge over competitors.
Get started with building your website now and scale your business significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How long can it take to get a website developed?
Ans: Time depends on the project. It also relies on the type of website that’s required to be built. A website with less functionality may get built in 4-5 months.
Q2. How much can a new website cost?
Ans: There’s no fixed cost per se. It all depends on the project and thus, it varies from one website to another.
Q3. Is it easy to modify or update a website? How much time and cost does it take?
Ans: This entirely depends on the changes required to be made. Minor changes or updates can be done at the earliest, meanwhile, complex updates can take time and can also prove to be a little more costly.
Q4. Does website design play a role in SEO?
Ans: Absolutely! A website is your doorway to online visibility and recognition, and no doubt, website design plays an important role. Website navigation, page load speed, and overall website experience play an essential role in SEO.
Thus, a website itself can help it rank higher.