Note that before you conduct any website work, you require to have a perfect plan in place.
Thus, if you are one of those working towards redesigning or forming a new website from the base, your site planning procedure must include the listed steps.
Assess your existing website
If you are one of those who do not have any site you can simply skip this measure.
But if you have a site, you must assess your present online presence before you move ahead.
Domain name
Firstly, you would want to factor in your domain name. Do you want the same name for your organization? If not then there are other domains that are available.
Ideally, you should keep your existing domain as it would lower customer confusion. However, if you have a chance to opt for a better domain name, you can definitely go with it for building your new website.
URL structure
How exactly are the URLs on your present website set? Are they apt and readable as per content on your web pages? Do you have some clearly named subfolders? If yes, keep such URLs intact at the time of forming your website as it will eliminate the requirement for redirects.
In case your URLs are formed of random characters, on the contrary, you are better off forming new URL structures for your new website.
However, ensure to keep the logs of your URLs so that you can set apt redirects afterward.
Content
Your website’s content is one of the most crucial elements. It is what caters your website visitors with info they require and even tells them who you are as an organization & convinces them for the conversion.
In case your website’s present content does not accomplish all the 3 of such goals, it will require to be rewritten. Ensure to factor it within your planning procedure.
Conduct in-depth research for your CMS options
There are various ways as to how you can build your website and the one you select is completely dependent upon personal preference.
Your initial option is to form a straight HTML website, meaning that your whole website should be coded from the ground up.
Such websites generally take a longer time to form but permit full customization of functionality and appearance both to make sure that you do not end up with any bad site design.
The benefit of an HTML website is that if anything goes in the wrong direction, developers that built it originally will not have much problem recognizing and fixing the problem.
However, making website updates needs a little coding knowledge.
Other options for you are to use a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress. When you form a website with CMS, you avail admin panel, which makes logging easy.
Moreover, you can even make changes to your site simply with CMS. In case you do not have any kind of coding experience, however, want to make website updates, it might be a good choice for you.
But as CMS is structured by 3rd party developers, it at times can be challenging to get a similar level of customization as in the case of HTML websites.
Determine the functionality you want
If you are looking for a simple website with images, text, and contact info, the build-up process will be easy.
But if you are looking for any added functionality, you will require to determine things you want before you hire a developer.
For instance, will you want to host an eCommerce store for selling your goods directly on your website? Or do you want an interactive element for showcasing the contact form?
Having knowledge about what your website requires you to do will actually make it simpler to select a developer that is appropriate for your web project.
Select web designer or web developer
Once you have knowledge about where your project stands, you will be required to choose a web designer or web desveloper to structure and launch your website.
In case you have a team, which is in the house you will not require worrying about it much.
However, if you are like most of the companies, you will require hiring an independent developer or agency.
This specific measure must not be taken up lightly as the web developer or website designer you work closely with will be liable for your organization’s site success.
Also, research your options and ensure that the designer you are opting for has relevant experience in the same field of work as yours.
Create your budget
Once you have found the correct designer or developer, you will require making sure that you are on the same page as your designer in terms of the cost before you begin working with them.
Thoroughly review projects then ask for both time and cost estimates.
These may differ based on the experience and size of the team, but it is crucial that you both have the same level of expectations.
Sanjay Dey