What Are the Phases Involved in Web Development?
Introduction
We come across websites almost daily while browsing through our phones. You might have stumbled upon a captivating webpage that made navigating through its content effortless. But have you ever paused to ponder on the work that goes into that digital masterpiece?
Web development refers to the process of building websites and web apps. There are two types of web development – front-end and back-end. For a website to fulfill its purpose, the web development process should be effectively planned and executed. If you are a business owner looking to create a website or an app for your business, here we discuss the different phases involved in web development.
1. Research Phase
The first step in a successful web development process is planning. You must list your requirements and collaborate with the key stakeholders to establish goals, website purpose, timeline, and more.
Gather all the necessary data about your business and ask yourself the right questions. Here are some questions that can help you in the planning stage.
- Who is your target audience?
- Who are the competitors? What are their strengths and weaknesses?
- What is the deadline for website development?
- What are the long-term and short-term goals to be achieved from the website?
- What should the website content focus on?
Involve all the teams in the planning stage and get their insights to paint the whole picture for the website.
2. Planning Phase
Once you have finished the research, you will finally have the outline of what you require from the website. Now, it is time for you to step into the details.
This is an extension of the first stage since you need to plan the details of what you require from the website. List out the design preferences, functionalities, website structure, content, and more that you think would cater to your target audience. Wireframes and prototypes are created to visualize the website structure and user interface. This stage of web development is to ensure smooth communication between the web developer and the website owner.
3. Finding a Suitable Web Development Team
If you have a web development team of your own – skip this step. But if you are a small business owner looking to create a website, you need to find a reputed web development company or web developer.
Research to find the top web development companies or individual developers. Check the reviews and their portfolio. Filter out the best and communicate what you require to them, the technology to use for the project, the timeline, and the budget. Choose the one that gives you the most satisfactory quote.
Also Read: What Is CMS? | CMS Use in Website Development | CMS Websites Development Company
4. Design Phase
With the roadmap you provided, the web designer would step in to infuse the website with colours, animations, menus, and more. The designers should focus on the preferences of the target audience to make the site captivating for them.
The site should be unique with clean graphics and informative content. The visitors should be able to easily navigate through the site.
5. Development Phase
Now, the process enters the development stage which helps bring the concept to life. Various programming languages and technologies like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more are used by web developers to complete the website.
Two types of web development will be at play. Front-end and back-end developers will be at work to complete the site. Finally, after all the requirements listed in the second stage are fulfilled, the website will become functional.
6. Testing Phase
Testing is done by the testers and developers to ensure that the website is fully functional and has met all the requirements of the client. Various factors like the validity of the code, browser compatibility, mobile compatibility, user interface, page speed, performance, and more are tested. If the desired results are not achieved, the developers will work to fix the issues.
7. Launch
After the website passes the testing stage with flying colours, it is ready for the grand finale – the launch. The website or the app is uploaded to a server and goes live – people will now be able to see it online. A final test is done after the launch to ensure that the site is in the working stage.
8. Maintenance Phase
The job is not over with simply launching the website. You need to track the activities of the visitors through the analytics. With the new data collected, you can devise updates that can improve your website and make it more desirable for the viewers.
Regular monitoring and maintenance should be done for the website to stay in top shape. Keep an eye out for factors that drag down the ranking of the website on the SERPs.
LBN Tech Solutions
From the intense planning to the exhilarating launch of the website, each phase of web development requires time and efficiency. Our web developers at LBN Tech Solutions are experts at reading the minds of our clients and creating their dream websites. Check out what our clients have to say about our work here.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the main phases involved in web development?
The main phases are Research, Planning, Finding a Web Development Team, Design, Development, Testing, Launch, and Maintenance.
2. What is the first step in web development?
The first step is the Research Phase, where you gather information about your business, target audience, competitors, and set goals for the website.
3. Why is the Planning Phase important in web development?
The Planning Phase ensures you have a detailed outline of design preferences, functionalities, website structure, and content, helping to communicate clearly with the web developer.
4. How do I choose a web development team?
Research top web development companies or individual developers, check reviews and portfolios, and choose one that fits your requirements, technology needs, timeline, and budget.
5. What happens during the Design Phase?
During the Design Phase, web designers create the website’s look and feel, incorporating colors, animations, menus, and other elements to make the site appealing and user-friendly.
6. What is the importance of the Testing Phase?
The Testing Phase ensures the website is fully functional, meets all client requirements, and performs well in areas like code validity, browser compatibility, mobile compatibility, user interface, and page speed.
- Jun 06, 2024