In this day and age, people are already getting the most out of technology. It has taken over various economic sectors. This is why many Filipinos have already spent most of their free time going and looking through websites online. It has already been a big part of their daily lives and needs. This now serves as a significant opportunity for businesses to endorse and let their brand be known to the public online. This is where web development takes the spot.
Web development refers to the process of creating websites on the internet. It encompasses both the works involved in the development and its maintenance. Typically it is a critical element that helps move your business forward since all your digital marketing campaigns ultimately lead users back to your business’ website. Think of it as a lobby where you entertain all your guests, but this time online.
Although the definition and purpose of web development are easily understood, it actually is more than all of that. Let’s dive deeper into the trench of web development by taking a look at its processes.
- Gathering of Information
Just like any other process with target outcomes, web development also requires first and foremost, information. Information that shall be used in the next steps in web development. In this stage, questions are often raised to clarify and visualize the path of the web development process in relation to your niche. What is your business’ purpose? What are its goals? Who are your audiences and how broad is your reach? Questions such as these generate and determine the future or outcome of your website.
If you are wondering what makes websites different from one another, it is this stage. The information that makes up the business is the heart and pillar of a website.
- Planning and Creating a site map
After gathering all the required details for developing your website, it is now time to incorporate all of them into the planning of your business’ actual site. The best method applied here is creating a sitemap. It is a method where you simply plan out all the different sections and pages that will make up your site. In this stage, you try to visualize how all the pages on your site are going to be organized.
The sitemap is what allows people to understand the inner structure of a website and its interface. It typically acts as a model of what a website would look and function like in the future.
- Designing Stage
If you’re wondering what stage web design is being incorporated, it is in this phase. This is where your business’ website begins to take its own shape. The information gathered and the website plan are not the only things needed in this stage. It also gives high importance to who your business’ target audiences are.
This stage includes the creation of page layouts, page review, and approval cycle. A stage where the information structure, content, basic functionality, colors, logos, and images are slowly put into place. After the initialization of the mentioned sectors, the customer can review the initial layout and if there are a few points out of place the changes mentioned are applied by the developer. This cycle continues until the customer is completely satisfied.
- Adding contents and assembling
Once there has been a definite and actual initial output of the website, contents can be added. Contents are necessary for communicating with the audience of your website and it also adds call-to-action. The job of content in websites is to act as a voice for your business. It is the one in charge of talking with your clients and providing them with the answers they need.
Generally, all the words you get to see on the website are polished and generated in this stage. Experts often suggest that website content should be provided right before jumping to the website’s coding.
- Coding
Imagine you are cooking a dish and you have already finished preparing all the ingredients needed. The next step is to combine all of them in a heated pan. This is how the coding phase of website development often works. The graphic elements, design layout, and contents are all combined.
The flow usually begins with creating the home page first and is followed by the sub-pages according to the hierarchy presented in the sitemap. In this phase, to ensure that the server can handle the installation and set-up smoothly, Framework and CMS are often implemented.
- Testing, reviewing, and launching
Every detail, section, and link on the website should be inspected and checked numerous times. If you want to avoid errors and problems during the launch of your website, you must ensure that everything, from the components, script, and spelling, is in good shape. Code validators are also used in checking if the code of your business’ website follows the web standards. This is very important since having a valid code is crucial for cross-browser compatibility.
After going over, checking, and re-checking your website, it is time to show it to the world. Upload it to the server and let the website do its magic in generating and reaching prospects!
- Continuous Maintenance
Websites are more like a service rather than a product. Its process does not simply end by launching it online. Through time, end-users can experience problems or issues on the website. When such cases arise, they should be immediately fixed to avoid inconvenience. This cycle continues every now and then and to avoid heavy damage to the website, its regular maintenance, updates, and improvements should also be kept in mind.
Website development does not simply start with coding and end with its launch. All the steps starting with the preparation up till the end defines how functional and optimal your business’ website is. It may seem complex for many but there is no denying how effective it is in promoting various businesses.
Planning to create a website for your business in the Philippines? Contact us! We are WizWorxx Solutions and we are ready to cater to all your web development needs.
