Web Design and Development Life Cycle Stages

Businesses today need a well-functioning website or web application to meet customers’ digital needs. Regardless of the industry, the need of web development and design is vital for product or service marketing.

Appropriate research is vital when designing a website or web application. This involves gathering relevant data, assembling a skilled development team, and conducting thorough testing. Additionally, keeping up with the latest trends in website design and web development is essential.

However, web development is more than the technical aspect, i.e., coding. Web developers follow a structured procedure to avoid issues and create an optimised user experience. This procedure comprises a web development life cycle.

What is Web Development?

Creating internet-compatible websites and web applications is known as web development. It includes coding a full-blown robust web application to creating a content management system for a simple static one-page website.

The software development life cycle, or SDLC, for web design and development includes coding the application logic and incorporating databases. It also involves managing user queries, designing user interfaces, hosting the website on servers, maintaining it, and updating it.

Further, the three distinct phases of the custom web app development process are - Server-side, client-side, and full-stack development.

What is a Web Development Life Cycle?

The entire process of web design, from conceptualising the idea through coding and design, deployment, and upkeep, means a web development life cycle. Web developers follow this standard protocol to create a unique website for a company or business.

It outlines the fundamentals of the software development life cycle for a web developer to minimise errors and achieve the best possible outcomes.

To create a breakthrough website, you should adhere to the seven stages of web development life cycle.

The 7 stages of web design are -

1. Research and Analysis

The crucial step in developing a website is in-depth researchand analysis. Gathering information about the project and the client is essential to ensure that the design and development are on the right track.

During the information-gathering stage, some common areas to work around are -

• The website’s purpose

• The type of product or service to sell

• The reach, ideal clients, etc.

• The extent of sufficient market demand

• Expectations

• How it benefits the company

• The features of the website

During this phase, it is essential to imagine the demographicsof the visitors to the website. There is a need to establish objectives while considering their age, gender, preferences, and requirements.

Getting user feedback on customer issues and solutions, they are looking for through surveys often pays off. You must also examine your web app concepts to determine whether they are viable and profitable.

2. Planning and Strategising

The strategy for the entire website, including design, technology, content, and marketing, is part of the website development plan. The data gathered in the final stage of research helps to strategise the website's structure and features.

During the planning phase, a dedicated team with clearly defined responsibilities is assembled. The planning involves determining the following –

• Content structure - It is the way your website organises its content. It involves planning the grouping of the website content to present to the visitor.

• Wireframe - Web designers map out a new website's main features (rough sketch) and navigation. This is called a website wireframe. It gives an idea of the site’s functionality before getting into visual design elements like content and colour schemes.

• Technology stack - A technology stack is a collection of software, web frameworks, and programming languages used to build any web app.

• Software development methodology - Various methods for web design like Waterfall, Scrum, Agile, etc.

The Planning phase includes essential steps like creating a sitemap, estimating timelines, defining deliverables, and allocating resources. Before moving on to the Design phase, teams decide how to brand the website.

With GrowthJockey, you can attract visitors to your website without deviating from its branding, including graphics, colours, and other media.

3. Application Designing and Wireframing

According to HubSpot, about 90% of website visitors bounce due to poor design. UI and UX designers design the layout of the website, starting with a rough sketch. Team members and customers can take a visual tour of the content and base features and provide feedback.

The developer prepares a wireframe (a systematic website layout). Further, the design involves dashboards, buttons, tabs, menus, and graphics to create the website's base layout. At GrowthJockey, we create an interactive website that meets the needs and preferences of your target audience.

We take into account all research on potential clients to ensure the relevancy of your website.

4. Content Creation

As the famous saying goes, "Content is King". Content writing entails providing helpful information about your business in an appealing and simple-to-understand manner. The web development lifecycle includes adding calls to action, creative headlines, formatting, line editing, writing, etc.

In this phase, there is a focus on developing your website's branding and marketing. Since 53.3% of all website traffic comes from organic search, businesses employ SEO-optimised content writing.

Further, content is the only way to interact with end users and turn them into customers. It is, therefore, crucial to pay close attention to customer issues and the solutions you can provide through your content.

5. Application Development and Coding

Website building takes place in the development stage, a phase of web development which requires technical expertise. This stage concludes the development of the website's server-side and client-side components.

It is one of the most time-consuming phases of the website development cycle. Web development happens in two parts -

Front-end Web Development – User side

In the early stages of web page development, a front-end developer decides on the interactive elements of the website. Designers use web frameworks and development tools to incorporate functions and components into the website's skeleton.

The web designer uses HTML, CSS, and a scripting language, like JavaScript, to create a site that is easy to use. For frontend development with HTML and CSS, engineers generally use Bootstrap and Foundation.

At GrowthJockey, our developers are well-equipped to create a mobile-friendly version of your website. Since 59.6% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices, having a mobile-friendly website will reap 2x the benefits.

Back-end web development - Server side

The technical or actual work takes place with the back-end development. The backend codes instructions to make each element perform the necessary functions. The action happens behind the applications or screens, like creating databases, writing the application logic, etc.

During this stage, developers employ various technologies and programming languages like C++, Python, etc. Additionally, backend developers have added Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to their list of responsibilities.

It enables websites to rank higher in search engines like Google. Further, most developers create websites using CMS (Content management system). Some standard CMS plugins that effectively manage the site are - Zoho, Salesforce, etc.

6. Testing and Quality Assurance

Following the development of the website, developers conduct a series of stringent tests to eliminate any system bugs. The QA team checks the web app's functionality, usability, compatibility, and performance. Some testing methods include unit, stress, integration, and load testing.

A well-functioning website that provides a seamless user experience necessitates project consistency. Further, testing how each feature works across all platforms and devices is essential. Till the QA team gives a green signal to the website quality, the design undergoes multiple tests.

At GrowthJockey, we avoid wasting time and money in later stages by beginning the testing process as soon as possible. We even sometimes involve the QA team to develop tests simultaneously. This reduces the chances of significant design changes at a later stage.

7. Application Deployment and Maintenance

After receiving the QA team's stamp of approval, the website or app gets finally ready for deployment. App developers host the site on web servers and allow access to viewers via File Transfer Protocol.

However, there is still scope for feedback from interactions with users regularly. As a result, you can make the necessary adjustments using the web life cycle. Further, analysing the logs allow you to look into the number of visitors, browser types and their versions, etc.

A log is a file that contains all the requested web pages from the website. This aids in site maintenance and regular updating for smooth running and attracting prospective clients. At GrowthJockey, we also take care of post-deployment maintenance services.

Wrapping Up

Web application development is a complicated procedure requiring a predetermined set of steps in web designing. Businesses require a distinct set of human and material resources for each step. Therefore, analysing the requirements and objectives before design development is vital for improved outcomes.

The typical timeline for web development is different for each company, with each project adding or removing specific phases. However, proper planning and relevant data collection are essential for any website development project.

Finally, design and development are always work in progress in which you can modify the site to meet your requirements at any time.

At GrowthJockey, we are passionately committed to developing customised solutions that effectively address the key challenges faced by our clients across diverse industries. Regardless of the size of your company, whether it's a small-scale enterprise or a large corporation, you can now tap into the benefits of advanced web development. Take a decisive step towards unlocking the next level of growth for your brand by contacting us today!