Where to Begin when Developing a Website
It can be a daunting experience, taking first steps into the realms of building a website. A search over the internet can inundate the beginner with more information than can be read in a lifetime.
There seems to be a wide range of options from getting down to basics and programming a website from scratch, to a myriad of tools and software that provide a range of functionality to make the process easier. There are also CMS (content management systems) and tools based on templates that make it quick and easy but have varying levels of capability.
With so many options, how does the beginner know where to start looking and better to go with the web hosting part?
It's important to start with some basic fundamental questions before even considering tools or design options.
Website Purpose
What is the purpose of the website? Is it to inform people of information, such as a site on a hobby or interest? Does it require interaction from website visitors? Perhaps it is a shopping site. Understanding the purpose of the website, means that the most appropriate tool or approach can be selected.
Websites need to quickly inform their visitors of the site's purpose or they risk them moving on. Equally, if someone is looking for information but is unsure as to whether the site is a commercial site only selling products, they will move on in their search.
Website Audience
Who are the key people that the website is aiming at? Is it a specialist group, beginners, professionals? Is it a shopping site? To find information? Understanding key audience groups will affect many design decisions.
Some websites can appeal to a wide audience (such as Amazon), however sometimes it can be a mistake to try and appeal to everyone. If a website is for a particular audience, the more the layout and content can be tailored to appeal to their particular interests, the more likely the website will be a success.
Website Key Information
Will the website capture as well as display information? For example, the purpose of the website may be to provide the audience with information on a hobby. On the other hand, the website may need to capture information from visitors. For example, if visitors can purchase items from the website it will need to be able to capture and store customer details.
Consider also the amount of information on the website. Will the website contain a volume of information? Will it need to store a large amount of data? All of this will affect the website design.
Website Theme
Does the website have an overall theme to convey to visitors? For example, if it is selling aromatherapy products the website may have a calming feel to it. If building a website to engage young adults the design should be appealing to them.
Before any decision is made on the development path for a website, it’s important to understand some fundamentals. It’s great to have an idea for a website but take time to think through these basic questions before deciding on tools or building approaches. Understanding these will help ensure the right decisions are made and avoid any costly mistakes by selecting the wrong approach.
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