1. Planning phase in the web design process

The planning process is definitely one of the most important stages of the entire web design process. Meeting with the customer, positioning the brand, objectives and purposes, ordering the necessary services and structuring the personnel according to the functions that the site may have and the size of the business are determined in this process. At the end of the planning process, customers can be informed of the estimated duration of the web design process.

If a website is made without any prior planning, it's like building a building where you haven't properly built the foundation. Even deliverable, which is the result of a web design process that is not included in the planning process, may, unfortunately, be completely useless. Hereby, it is essential that the planning stage be done very meticulously in order to increase the value of the work done in the next stages.

2. Structure & distribution of work

The design phase is the most enjoyable part to work on if the planning and structure phases are completed successfully. However, if the opposite is true, this stage becomes inextricable. Every job has to be repeated. Because you don't actually have a guide. Therefore, whether you are a web designer or trying to make a website for yourself as an amateur, be sure to complete the other stages before you come to this stage.

For example, we decided that our website should have an online booking application and an associated payment system. At this stage, it is determined whether the form to be made for Booking will be opened on a separate page or will appear as a modal, where to access this form, what main items will appear on the payment screen, and which page the visitor will be directed to after the payment is made.

In this section, keywords research also should be done in order to optimise web pages for search engines. If support is not received from experts in the field or if an erroneous path is followed, it may lead to the removal of this site from search engines. That's why it's important to get support from nationwide or Local SEO Companies that are experts in their field and to carry out this strategy together. Remember, a website is not an instrument to be built and set aside. A very important business tool that needs to be kept constantly updated is a lead generation equipment.

3. Design: wireframing & actual design

The design phase is the most enjoyable part of the web design process to work if the planning and structure phases are completed successfully. However, if the opposite is true, this stage becomes inextricable. Every job has to be repeated. Because you don't actually have a guide. Therefore, whether you are a web designer or trying to make a website for yourself as an amateur, be sure to complete the other stages before you come to this stage.

The design phase starts with wireframing. Wireframes are just blocks placed on the page without any aesthetic concerns. We can also say that it is a sketch in which it is designed where these elements will take place on the page.

Why wireframing is important in the web design process?

Processes help to detect mistakes in the early stages of work, intervene and optimize before they have done all the work. Design work is a process that takes time and should not be done over and over again. Therefore, optimising from the draft and then designing based on the determined and approved draft will reduce the workload. At the same time, it will make it easier to see the work as a whole and will contribute to creating a coherent design.

While making the actual design, it should be considered in the next stage, as should the pre-prepared wireframes. If a developer is going to put the designs into code, web pages should be designed in such a way that the developer can work comfortably. In other words, the designer should at least have a general knowledge of the development process and the software language to be used. This will make the job easier for the developer and the process will run faster. This is basically even more important if you are building a site for yourselves because as you are amateurs what you can do is limited. You should consider not making designs that you cannot develop.

4. Development is the functionality of a web design process

The developer makes code entries according to the preferred programming language and site structure so that the visual elements coming from the designer can be interactive. In fact, this section is a kind of functionality section. Elements will no longer be just visual, they will take on a function. Making appointments, purchasing products (e-commerce), contact forms, calculators, listing, basket add-ons and payment systems can be examples of these functions.

From the developer's point of view, this process can be shaped in two different ways. If it will do everything from scratch and work with certain libraries or frameworks, this is custom-coded development. Here, as much as possible, special software architecture is established from scratch. Implementing this in every project is costly for both installation and maintenance. It is much more secure than a CMS as it is not open-source software and was created specifically for that project.

What is CMS? What CMS stands for?

CMS basically stands for content management systems. Content management systems offer you the most commonly used features that add functionality to your website, in a ready-coded form. Instead of developing it from scratch, it allows you to add those functions to your site ready-made. As it is open-source code that is readily available, it is likely to pose security risks. However, if it contains the desired functionality according to the project, it is highly preferred because it provides a very serious advantage in terms of cost. It is important to keep it constantly updated to minimize security risks.

The most widely known open source content management systems are; It can be said as WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Webflow, Drupal, Magento and Joomla. The strides that Shopify, Wix and Webflow have made are admirable. However, WordPress is used in 34% of all sites on the internet and holds 60% of the market share.(  kinsta ) WordPress is the leader in content management systems with its flexible structure and widespread developer network.

5. Data entry or content creation

The data entry and content creation phase is perhaps the phase where the most problems arise and cause delays in projects. Because it is not certain who will do this part. Both the client and the web design agency can undertake this job. Some agencies have gone as far as not getting a job unless they produce the content themselves. If you are not making a website for yourself and you are working with an agency, content production and data entries is a phase that must be clearly discussed and agreed upon with date binding.

The problem is, in fact, the underestimation of the work rather than who will do it. The customer, who has no previous experience in this field, often disdains content preparation and data entry. However, this is a very serious business. Creating content suitable for the site is not about writing plain text or choosing the photo you like. This content needs to be engaging and even convert into sales. In most cases, it should basically be left to a professional copywriter.

5. Testing & launch

As long as there are no major problems, the testing and publishing phase is very enjoyable. The efforts for a long time will pay off and the final product will be presented to the audience. You can manage this process in a healthier way by first offering a closed test opportunity to a small number of people.

You tested it, everything worked fine. You launched the site. Everything is finished? Of course not. A website is never like a brochure to be designed and set aside. Websites are live and need to be updated. As you can see even if the web design process is finished, the web management process will continue. There are many reasons for this.

3 Reasons You Need to Update Your Website Regularly

1. It is the best way to keep your website secure

Websites, especially those using content management systems, should be updated frequently and should always be kept in the most up-to-date version.

2. It boosts your website traffic & conversion

Websites are more than just a tool that we can give our address and show to our customers. Websites generate leads. It is the bridge between us and our potential customers. Therefore, it must be visible and prominent in search engines. It needs to attract attention and allow our potential customers to cover. So it needs to be optimised from time to time.

3. First impression to create great user experiences

User experience is very important. Nobody expects a slow-loading site these days. Many people don't spend a lot of time and shop on a site with broken links. In order to keep the user experience at a high level, relevant controls should be made from time to time, feedback should be taken into account and errors or parts that adversely affect the user's experience should be corrected as quickly as possible.