Want to become a web developer? You will need to know about the process a web developer goes through to complete a website. Becoming a web developer is challenging but rewarding in the same breath.
There are steps a web developer follows to build a website. First, the web developer should determine how the website should function and how it should look. During the idea generation phase of development, the scope of the project is determined and the target audience is identified.
Next is the project phase when the web developer creates a timeline for the project and determines which deliverables will be completed and when. The web developer may also delegate different parts of the build to the team involved during the project phase.
Then, the web developer starts designing the website on a whiteboard, identifying all the sections of the website and how they all tie together. The programming phase comes next for the web developer and then writing out the content with SEO in mind. The website needs to be fully optimized to rank well in Google search results.
Then, the website is fully tested to make sure it functions properly. The web developer runs the project by management to get final approval before going live. Last, analytics are compiled to see the success of the website and to determine if users are able to properly traverse the website from the landing page all the way to conversion.
Idea Generation
The planning phase is where a web developer should brainstorm ideas and compile specifics from the client to better understand the scope of the project and the target audience. What is the target market? What are the goals of the website? What is the conversion path of the website, and how are you going to measure the flow of consumers through the conversion funnel?
During the idea phase, the website developer will also get feedback from colleagues and the client to form a plan of action. Once the idea for the website is formulated, the web developer will move on to the project phase.
Project Outline and Delegation
During the project phase, the web developer will outline the specific activities and deliverables, along with a timeline to set clear expectations for the client. If the project is handled by a team, the web developer in charge will delegate the different responsibilities of the project.
The analytics manager can compile information about competitors and the industry to better understand the website project. The content writers can get started with the SEO team to compile the keywords to be used in the website and determine how the content will be written to capture the most conversions.
Web Design
During the design phase of the website, the web developer will put together the site architecture, creating wireframes to represent the pages on the website. This will help make a visual design of the website for the programming phase.
Web Programming and Coding
Once the design is approved, the web developer can start working on the look of the website using HTML and CSS to properly render the website. The web developer will also use JavaScript and jQuery to code the website to make navigating the website easier, create animation, handle events, and develop applications to run on the website.
The web developer will also use MySQL to store information in databases to be retrieved when the website is rendered. Once the programming and coding of the website is complete, the content phase can begin.
Website Content
This phase fills in the website with words, pictures, and audio content for the user to experience on the website. The content should be written with the customer in mind, creating compelling content and visuals to assist the customer in the conversion process.
Once the content is created for the conversion process, SEO is used to optimize the website content for ranking in Google organic searches.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Search engine optimization is the process of maximizing the number of visitors to a website by ensuring that the website appears high on the list of search results in a search engine.
Search engine optimization involves using attributes that the Google algorithm values to capture rankings and increase the organic traffic to a website. Some of the variables the Google algorithm favors include links, URL, meta title tags, and body content. Once the website is fully optimized, the website must be tested.
Website Testing
There are many ways to test the website to make sure it works properly. Here are a few ways to test the website.
Functionality Testing – Test the site to make sure all the links are working on the web pages, the database is connected, forms capture the customer information properly, and the conversion tracks properly. The website can also be scraped to see if there are any broken links or dead pages.
Usability Testing – The website should be easy to use, and everything should be spelled correctly and grammatically correct. The web developer should make sure the customer can follow the conversion path and complete the transaction.
Interface Testing – Make sure the database and web servers properly execute the website without any errors.
Compatibility Testing – Make sure the website renders properly on all web browsers and operating systems and with the printing options. Further, the website must be mobile friendly, as many customers are using mobile devices to traverse websites.
Performance Testing – Can the web server handle the load that the website will get from users and spiders? Will it perform properly on different internet connections or at peak load times?
Security Testing – The web developer will try to access internal pages of the website. They should not render if blocked properly by the robots.txt file. The web developer will also make sure SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) works properly if the website needs to be secure.
Management
Once the website is ready to go live, the web developer will work with management to finalize any loose ends and get approval from the client. When the website is live, the web developer will track the success of the website and make sure it properly meets the goals set in the planning phase.
Website Success
There are a few tools to measure the success of a website. Here are a few that will help measure rankings, organic traffic, and any technical or performance issues that need to be fixed on the website.
Google Analytics – This is a web analytics platform that tracks and reports website traffic.
Moz – Moz is a SaaS (software as a service) solution to track rankings, technical and performance issues, backlink research, and local rankings.
Google Search Console – The Google Search Console allows webmasters to check indexing status and optimize visibility of their website.
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Contact us now if you want to learn more about becoming a web developer.