Successfully launching a new website or redesign requires good
web development practices, however, it can be easy to overlook those practices when a project deadline is fast approaching and things need to get done
now. Here are some web development tips your team should follow when doing any major website project to ensure stellar results.
10 Web Development Tips for Website Launches
Web development is crucial for a successful website launch which is why it’s important that your team doesn’t rush into the work without certain considerations. A famous quote from Benjamin Franklin says it best - “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” These 10 web development tips will help your team have a smoother project with fewer setbacks.
1. Set a clear objective.
Before jumping straight into writing code, it’s essential that your team has a plan and clear objective. Determine what is the overall intention of the project to better understand priorities. Taking the time to plan will help prevent wasting time writing code over and over again or getting distracted by unimportant details.
2. Work as a team.
Not only should your web development team members work together, but they should also work with other teams like marketing, sales, customer service, production, etc. Getting input from different departments will provide new perspectives and ideas which will lead to a stronger website.
3. Find out what customers need and want.
Learn what matters most to customers to ensure that your new website or
redesign addresses their needs and wants. Get thorough clarification of requirements, especially functional and UI (user interface) ones. Additionally, take careful consideration of third-party APIs and dependencies with other systems.
4. Always consider the user experience.
Your website launch will be a dud if users don’t enjoy or want to use it. That’s why you should start with UX (
user experience) before writing any code. Spend time on research and design before getting into any programming. When you have a thorough understanding of your users, the development phase will be less complicated and you’ll be able to create a user-friendly design.
5. Write neat and readable code.
Avoid overproducing code so you're less likely to run into bugs. Make sure you write simple, direct code that has a clear purpose. Each piece of code should solve a problem or provide a feature necessary for the page’s function.
6. Save time and reduce errors with a framework.
Using a framework in application development provides a structure for you to build rather than starting from scratch. A framework can save time and reduce errors, particularly for less experienced developers, while building better quality applications.
7. Pay attention to the architecture.
Architecture is always a challenge because you need your code to interact with the current system in a way that doesn't introduce new bugs or security flaws as well as be easily extended or modified in the future. Mistakes in the architecture are detrimental because once you start implementing, it will be difficult to change it.
8. Focus on completing smaller goals.
Web development is a process of continuous improvement which is why you should focus on completing smaller goals rather than aiming to complete the project all at once. Furthermore, implementing incremental updates throughout the project creates fewer bugs than waiting until it’s fully built out.
9. Make sure there’s flexibility for future updates.
What’s “in” for UI now can be “out” in years, even months, down the road. Design and develop the backend in a way that allows for the UI to be adjusted without requiring a complete overhaul. Have some flexibility for future website updates which can be minor like changing a button color or major such as a new feature.
10. Thoroughly test code.
Testing code is critical for quality assurance. Although testing can be time-consuming, it’s important for avoiding sub-standard code and increasing code stability. Your web development team should test as they go as well as give and receive peer review and feedback.
Set Up Your Website Launch for Success
With these web development tips, your website project will go much smoother and fewer bugs will arise. Your website is more than a first impression of your business, it’s an invaluable marketing asset. If it’s not generating the sales and leads that you need, then it’s time to re-evaluate it. Partner with an experienced web development and
digital marketing team to launch an attractive, user-friendly, and effective website for your company.