Benefits of using a web design process
Years of running a business and building websites for clients has led to us formulating a process that works well for building sites. We often work with clients who have had a terrible experience with their previous web designer due to lack of organisation. There are many reasons to use a process, some of which we will describe here.
Tried and tested
The way we work has been refined based on building many websites for ourselves and for clients. While the site designs and content change for each client, the steps we need to go through tend to be consistent.
Because we know the steps we will go through, we provide a project guide when we start working with a client that explains the process. This means everyone knows what to expect while we are building the site.
Doing things in the right order
While there can be flexibility in projects, broadly speaking the steps need to be done in the right order.
- Proposal with scope, budgets and timescales
- Design brief and collection of content
- Wireframes to make sure we are including all the right things on each page
- Design mockups
- Approval of designs
- Build of site templates and set up of software
- Testing
- Approval of new site
- Deployment, search engine submissions, page redirects etc
Doing things once
By working through the steps we can do each task once, instead of going round in circles, using up budget and everyone getting confused.
For example, the wireframing stage means we get everything ironed out before spending days on the site design. Having to go back and change something fundamental like where the navigation goes can waste time and money.
Makes sure we cover everything
Our process also means that we tick all the boxes when it comes to browser testing, payment system testing and page speed. Without a checklist, it’s easy to overlook small things that can impact the site’s speed, functionality or search engine performance down the line. A well practiced process improves quality control and client satisfaction.
Summary
The bottom line is that a tried and tested process makes web design projects go smoother, keeps things within budget, helps stick to timescales and results in a better end product.
Looking for a new website? Call us on 01636 812551 or email info@fcswebsites.co.uk to discuss your plans.