Custom web development: The complete process

Custom web development: The complete process of Custom web development is usually approached in an organized manner, divided into specific phases.

Since the website is a digital property in which more than one technical/creative discipline is involved , it is common to form a team between various specialized professionals. For example, custom web development could incorporate the presence of web developers and graphic/web designers. Copywriters , photographers and many more professionals could be added to them .

The more brands that participate in the project, the greater the value obtained in the final product.

In this article I am going to explain to you what phases a custom enterprise software development usually involves. Remember: we are in an era in which we are committed to specialization , so the more (specialized) professionals involved in the project, the more wealth will be obtained in the end.

Customer analysis and characterization

Web development, like any custom service, is customer-centric . Therefore, the first phase of the project is based on knowing and interpreting the client's needs and potential.

From some initial meetings , it would be advisable to know the what, how and why of creating a website for the client .

Depending on the case, more emphasis will be placed on one aspect or another, such as graphic design, key concept or image. In general, it is important to ally and collaborate with other specialized professionals from the first stage to complete subsequent tasks.

With a good characterization of the client, the development of your website will focus on the priority aspects to leave aside those that are superfluous. For example, it will be critical to list priority functionalities from unnecessary ones to speed up the process and maximize the potential of the finished website.

Client characterization in custom web development. A cat with a tie

Content Creation

– Collaboration with Copywriters and Photographers

In software development solutions, along with design, we start from an unbreakable guideline: first of all, the content is created .

Many times, unfortunately, a web development process begins with graphic design. For example, it is usually common with the use of templates. This method tends to fail and cause chaos.

Without established content, it is difficult to get the arrangement of elements right, their hierarchy, or the definition of the website's graphics.

You can't design without content .

Collaboration with copywriters for custom web development. A pen

The content of a website usually focuses on text and images.

For the first, the text, it is advisable to collaborate with a copywriting professional . The one who can translate the client's characterization and key concept into synthetic phrases that invite action.

With the image, the collaboration is with photographers or illustrators , who will know how to visually specify the client's characterization. Whether by showcasing your products or visualizing your key concept with illustrations, for example.

The client, for its part, will be responsible for approving the textual and/or audiovisual interpretations of the corresponding professionals.

Creative graphic/web design process

– Collaboration with graphic designers

The graphic design of a website is always one of the most special and long-awaited moments for the client. It is the moment in which a graphic/web design professional collects all the content, and based on the client's characterization, outlines the layout of the web views . A view is a page, section or subsection within the structure or tree of the website.

The graphic/web design phase is a creative process in which some preliminary proposals are prepared in which the visual aspect of the website is specified. As agreed, some iterations are carried out until the design is approved.

The designer, after receiving approval of his work, prepares the digital documents that will be necessary for the subsequent web layout . Such as PDF, PSD, or similar documents, which include as many details as previously agreed. For example, it is common to design views for desktop and mobile devices.

Creative design process for web layout. a drop of paint

Custom web layout

With the content and graphic/web design finalized, it is the turn of the custom web developers , who will be in charge of the web layout.

Web layout is based on programming the visual, or front, aspect of all the views of the web . To do this, the designs and explanatory documents made by the designers are used, as well as the content prepared previously.

After the layout, the client will be able to view the preliminary versions from their own devices for later approval. At this point, as agreed, a number of iterations are also incorporated to solve problems that may appear.

Defining the database structure

A web page, from the simplest to the most complex, is linked to a dynamic database . That is, a record of all the information that will be displayed according to the pages or sections. For example, in a blog, the database collects the content of all the articles written.

After the web layout it is time to specify the structure of the database. Depending on the typology of the website, it will be necessary to create customizable items that allow adding and editing items of the same type . For example, in the case of an online store, it will be necessary to define the customizable item Product, among other possible items.

Customizable items usually require some classification . If so, it will also need to be included in the database definition.

In short, a structure is established in anticipation of the use of the website . In this way, after completing the enterprise solutions development, the client will be able to add and edit content dynamically and securely.

Definition of the database for custom web development. abstract cubes

Management system programming

With the database structure defined, it is the turn of the management system.

Without a content management system it would be impossible to manage the content on a web page. Therefore, web developers must prepare an administration space that allows the management of all content that must be editable .

Furthermore, depending on the type of items included on the website, configuration fields will have to be associated for comfortable and organized editing . For example, in the case of the Product in an online store, it is essential to have a field for its price, at least.

Development of features and interaction

Finally, depending on the case, previously defined functionalities are developed. For example, in an online store, payment functionality would be developed through a gateway.

The functionalities on a website are its real value .

Without functionality and interaction, a website loses all its potential. A website that does not allow communication, in any of its forms, between the visitor and the brand, is a website that will not be able to meet conversion objectives.

That is, it is essential to determine what communication channels must be incorporated to achieve the main objectives . For example, in an online store, it will be essential to develop the shopping cart functionality.

Development of functionalities and interaction. A robot

Web maintenance

After finishing and publishing the website, the development is not completely over.

Any web page is vulnerable to some extent . Therefore, web maintenance is very important.

With quality web maintenance, a website will always be updated according to security recommendations and technological advances. Furthermore, if a specific error appears , it will be resolved.