Website Development

Website Development Process 101 | A Guide to Pixel-Perfect Web Development in 2024-25

Branislav Nenin
Branislav Nenin
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Getweb Inc - Full-Cycle Web Design and Development Services

When you’re trying to buying something online, you always look at the website. If the site looks unprofessional or poorly built, you would surely be thinking twice whether to make that order or not.

The same goes for your customers as well. In this digital era, almost every company requires a functioning website since this is a great way to showcase your products or services, interact with customers, and generate leads.

But before a website can go live, it needs to go through the website development process. This typically involves steps such as planning, design and layout, content creation, testing, launching, and maintenance.

The website development process can vary depending on the specific requirements and needs of the business.

It is important to work closely with a web developer or a development agency in order to ensure that all necessary elements are included and functioning properly.

By going through each step carefully and thoroughly during the web development process, businesses can have a successful and high-performing web platform.

But what exactly goes into the website development process? How to develop a site from scratch? Is it that complex?

That’s what we’re going to explore today!

What is the Website Development Process?

In a general sense, the website development process refers to the steps and tasks involved in crafting a website from scratch.

It includes planning, prototyping/wireframing, content creation, testing, deployment, and maintenance.

What is the Website Development Process

To be more specific, it is the process of transforming a client’s vision and goals into a functional website that meets their needs.

It requires collaborating with various team members, including the client, designers, content creators, and developers.
The website development process can vary depending on the specific requirements of a business.

It is important to work closely with a website developer or agency to ensure that all necessary elements are included and functioning properly.

By going through each step carefully and thoroughly during the web development process, businesses can have a successful and high-performing website.

Types of Website Development Processes

There are several different types of web development process in use today, each with different focuses and techniques. However, the workflow for each type typically follows the same steps.

Let’s explore some of the most common types of website development processes:

Front-End Development

Front-end web development AKA client-side development is the practice of creating and implementing the visual and interactive elements of a website.

This includes everything that the user sees and interacts with on the website, such as layout, styling, animation, and functionality.

Front-end developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build user-friendly websites. They work closely with the UI/UX designers to ensure that the site has a visually appealing design.

They also influence the user experience of a website by creating smooth and intuitive navigation.

Back-End Development

Back-end development – also known as server-side development – involves the functionalities of a website that stays behind-the-scene.

This includes things like setting up databases, managing user authentication, structurizing the information architecture, and ensuring site security.

They work with operating systems, APIs, servers and databases to manage things like security, site structure, and content.

These developers use programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, and Python to create the necessary back-end functionality.

They work behind-the-scenes, closely with front-end developers to ensure that the website can display and properly use all of the information and features.

Full Stack Development

Full stack development combines the aspects of both front-end and back-end development.

Full stack developers have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the website development process, from design to functionality.

They often work with a team but are also able to handle the different aspects of the web development process on their own.

Full Stack Development

There are multiple technology stacks that full stack developers work with, including the popular MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, AngularJS, and Node.js) and LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP).

A stack is a group of programming languages and tools used to build a website or an application.

In short, full stack developers are the best of both worlds, combining the technical and creative skills of front-end and back-end development effortlessly.

The process involves seamlessly integrating all the elements of a website to create a functional and visually appealing end product.

Web App Development

Web app development involves creating web-based applications that can be accessed and used through a web browser.

Web apps have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly with the rise of cloud computing technology. Examples include Google Docs, Trello, and Slack.

Web applications help businesses reach a wider audience and have an additional sales channel for their products or services.

These types of applications often have similar functionality to computer software but they do not require the user to download or install anything on their device.

Web App Development

As a result, the app doesn’t use up storage space on the user’s device and can be easily accessed from any location with internet access.

Web app development requires knowledge of programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and a good understanding of how to integrate databases and other technologies.

The type of website or application that a business needs will ultimately depend on their specific goals and target audience.

Working with a professional developer can help ensure that the end product meets all the necessary functionalities for a positive user experience.

Website Development Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Planning

This is the primary phase of the website development process. In this step, you evaluate your idea and turn it into a feasible business plan that lays out the goals, target audience, and functionality of the site.

Once you share your mission and vision with the developers, they will conduct a technical analysis to make sure your site will be able to meet all of its goals.

By the end of this step, you should have clear goals, estimations, limitations, and a realistic budget for your project.

The key tasks of the developers in this stage include conducting market research and competitor analysis, creating a sitemap, and defining the project timeline and budget.

Step 2: Wireframing

The next step is to turn your vision into a visual sketch, known as a wireframe. This helps the development team understand how the website should be structured and navigated by the users.

During this stage of the website development process, the developers will also determine which technologies and platforms will be necessary for the website to function properly.

Not only that, but they will also consider the responsiveness of the platform on various devices and browsers.

By the end of this phase, you should have a solid understanding of the overall layout and user experience of the site.

Step 3: Site Mapping

In this step, the development team creates a detailed map of the different pages and how they will be linked together.

This helps them plan out the navigation structure and identify any potential challenges with user flow.

Site Mapping

This step also includes determining the hierarchy of content on each page and creating URLs for each page.

The closest thing to a sitemap is a table of contents that gives the developers the information they need to bring your vision to life.

Here, you’ll also gather all the elements you’ll need in the next phases. You’ll decide which technology to adopt to and what resources to use.

Step 4: Front-End Development

The design and visuals are brought to life in this step. This includes website graphics, layout, and responsive design for various devices.

Content is also added in this phase, ensuring that the website accurately represents your brand identity. They use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for this purpose.

Front-end developers create all the visual elements and decorate the site with graphics, photos, and other multimedia.

This stage of the website development process makes sure that the site is easy to navigate with a responsive design that works smoothly on different devices.

Developers will continue to test and troubleshoot throughout this phase to make sure all front-end components are working properly before launching the website.

By the end of this step, your website should be fully functional and visually appealing.

Step 4: Back-End Development

The heavy work begins in this stage since the platform is built from the ground up. This involves creating databases, programming website functionality, and integrating third-party tools or applications.

As progress is made on the back-end, UI/UX design and content creation can begin to take shape on the front end.

Back end developers will choose which technologies and platforms to use and ensure that the website is responsive on different devices and browsers.

This step also involves testing and troubleshooting to ensure that all back-end components are working properly before moving on to the next phase.

By the end of this step, you’ll have a good idea of how your website will look like and how the users will navigate it.

Step 6: Deployment and Maintenance

The final step is to create a bridge between the front end (client side) and the back end (server side). The process is known as deployment.

This involves transferring all website files and databases to a web server and making sure everything is functioning properly.

However, before launching the website online, developers will perform thorough testing to ensure that all elements are working as intended.

This includes functionality, design, and overall user experience. Review and optimization is crucial to make your that your website reflects user pain points and solve them effectively.

Once you have a fully functional website, the next job is to secure a suitable domain name and hosting platform.

Deployment and Maintenance

This step indicates the completion of the 6-stage website development process and by the end, your website will be live and ready for users to visit. This is necessary for your website to be accessible online.

However, the job of the developers doesn’t end there. They will continue to monitor and maintain the website, troubleshooting any potential issues and implementing updates as needed.

This involves regularly updating content, fixing any technical issues, and ensuring proper security measures are in place.

It helps ensure that your website remains secure and continues to provide a positive user experience.

Summary

To sum it up, the website development process involves a combination of technical and creative elements to create functional and visually appealing websites and applications.

It may be a complex process but by breaking it down into manageable steps, you can make the process easier on yourself.

When working with a website development agency, businesses can trust that their website or mobile application will meet their requirements for a positive user experience.

The end result? A website or app that helps drive business towards success.

We’ve outlined the step-by-step website development process for those who have no idea about how to develop a website from scratch. Hopefully, by now, you know how things work in reality.

Whether you are starting from scratch or redesigning an existing website, following this guide should help ensure that your website development process goes as smoothly as possible.

FAQs

FAQs

1. What does HTTP mean?

HTTP, or Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is the method by which information is transmitted over the web.

When a user enters a website URL into their browser, an HTTP request is sent to the server hosting that website.

The server then responds with the requested web page and any associated files, such as images or scripts, which are then displayed to the user.

It’s basically the foundation of data communication on the internet.

2. How much does the website development process cost?

On average, a basic website with minimal functionality could cost around $1000 – $5000,

While a more complex website with advanced features would set you back upwards of $50,000 or even more.

The cost can vary greatly depending on the scope and complexity of the project.

3. What is a CMS?

A content management system (CMS) is a platform that allows users to easily manage and update the content on their website.

This can include adding blog posts, updating images, managing product listings, and more. Today’s popular examples are WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify.

4. How long does it take to build a website?

A basic website with minimal functionality may only take a few weeks to build, while a larger and more complex website could potentially take months or even longer.

The timeline of the website development process varies greatly depending on the size and complexity of the project.


Branislav Nenin
VIP Contributor
Branislav Nenin
WordPress Developer

Branislav is a full-stack WordPress developer who has been creating custom WP plugins and themes, and tailoring WP admins for years. He’s obsessed with bridging the gap between engineering and design that reflects in his work.

He has rich experience in project management with strong organizational skills, coordinating deliverables with task prioritization according to client needs. He values trust and cooperation the most when working with remote teams.


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