Implementation: Preparing for the Web
Chapter 8: Preparing for Web
Web
Lesson 1 of 10
While every area of design is important, few are more universally important than web design.
Web design is more accessible than ever these days, with more and more platforms offering code-free development possibilities, meaning many people today are able to create websites without a full technical team at their disposal. Whether you’re working with a full production team, or are working with a designer to set a site up yourself, you’re likely to take a pretty hands-on approach in the web design process, particularly if you’re hoping to create a site you can update yourself.
While most people are generally pretty comfortable with web technology from a user standpoint, the behind-the-scenes can be very overwhelming. Unfortunately, this means it's very easy to get screwed over in the design/development process, because it’s hard to make informed decisions without a solid understanding of the process. Prices can vary wildly, as can available functions, and people will come to you with wildly different interpretations of what is possible both technically, and within your budget.
Since standards and best practices are always changing, it’s extremely important to know the basics at least. You need to be able to communicate the non-negotiable functions of your site. You need to be able to assemble a team with the skills required for the job. You need to be able to build a platform that supports your needs. You need to make sure your site is built for fast load times, SEO, and beautiful design on every screen. You need to make sure your assets are prepared correctly. And most importantly, you need to know what the heck your designer and developer are talking about when they start throwing technical jargon at you so you can make the best decisions for your project.
A thorough understanding of web design is essential to ensuring…
You can properly plan your budget and timeline.
Your team is set up to deliver what you need.
You choose the right platform.
You know how to communicate your needs.
You understand updates from your designer.
Your site is optimized for beauty, technical function, and usability.
Your site is set up for people to find it.
Your site looks beautiful and works well on every screen.
You take on the process in the most efficient order.
Your site represents your brand well.
Going into the web design process without this understanding can mean…
A LOT of wasted money.
Hiring a team that can’t deliver what you want.
Building on a platform that’s not optimized to your needs.
A site that’s missing important functions.
A site that’s hard to use.
A site that you can’t update yourself, or that doesn’t support your long term maintenance needs.
A site that doesn’t properly show up on every screen.
Slow load times.
People not being able to find your site.
Miscommunications with your design team.
A site that doesn’t deliver the results you need.