The focus of this step is to gather all the necessary information for the project. This is where I go deeper into the business needs. I carefully analyze your requirements, define the website purpose, and determine the goals of the website.
I also research the target audience. I asked questions like What is the group of people that you would like to reach first? What is their age, interests, and habits? Answering these questions will help me to determine the best design style for the website.
I also get acquainted with the website content. What kind of information will the target audience be looking for on the website? Is it specific information regarding a product or a service, online shopping, or maybe something else?
Using the information I gathered from the first phase, it is time for me to put it together and make a detailed website plan. At this point, a site map is developed. Site map is the list of all main topic areas of the website, including sub-topics, if applicable. This map will clarify what content will be on the website and will help to understand the navigational structure. The future customers are end-users of the website — their journey has to be as simple as possible. The basis of an easy-to-navigate website is an excellent user interface.
The design process is where I carefully and tastefully apply such visual elements as the logo and brand colors, to strengthen the brand identity on the website. During the design phase, I usually creates one or more prototypes for the website. A prototype is typically a static image, which represents the final look of the website.
When the content and the visuals are in place, the testing process can be started. This is where all page has to be tested to make sure that all links are working and the website is displayed correctly in different browsers.
Once I have a final approval from you, it is time for the website to go live. But before that, I make sure the site should be ran-through for the last time to confirm that all files have been uploaded correctly, and the site is fully functional.