Before your design gets coded, before initial mockups and moodboards, and even before you start the search for a designer, you need a plan. A good development plan will save you both time and money and will improve the overall quality of your next web development project.
Before you contact a designer outline your responses to all of the following:
- What is the purpose of this website?
- What are the goals of this specific website.
- How do you plan to market this web development project?
- What are the key characteristics of your target audience?
- What is the technical ability and experience level of your audience.
- What other sites, if any, will this site most directly compete with?
- What are both your launch and maintenance budgets?
- What areas of this site will need to be routinely adjusted/updated?
- What special functions will you need? (forms, message boards, blogs, videos etc.)
- What are your criteria for a successful website and how will you and others know if they have been met?
The more detail you provide, the better the chance of having a smooth, affordable and successful web development project. Take your time, ask for advice and impressions, and share the results with any prospective developers.
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/heypaul/107326142/in/set-72057594075871813/
