There are numerous steps in the web site design and development process. From gathering initial information, to the creation of your web site, and finally to maintenance to keep your web site up to date and current.

Phase One: Information Gathering

The first step in designing a successful web site is to gather information. Many things need to be taken into consideration when designing the look and feel of your site, so first, a lot of questions need to be asked to help understand your business and your needs in a web site. Certain things to consider are:
Purpose
What is the purpose of the site? Do you want to provide information, promote a service, sell a product… ?
Goals
What do you hope to accomplish by building this web site? Two of the more common goals are either to make money or share information.
Target Audience
Is there a specific group of people that will help you reach your goals? It is helpful to picture the “ideal” person you want to visit your web site. Consider their age, sex or interests – this will later help us determine the best design style for your site.

Content
What kind of information will the target audience be looking for on your site? Are they looking for specific information, a particular product or service, online ordering…?

Phase Two: Planning

Using the information gathered from phase one, the next step is to put together a plan for your web site. This is where a site map needs to be developed – a list of all main topic areas of the site, as well as sub-topics (if applicable). This serves as a guide as to what content will be on the site, and is essential to developing a consistent, easy to understand navigational system. This is also the point where the decisions about what technologies should be implemented – interactive forms, eCommerce, flash, etc.

Phase Three: Design

Drawing from the information gathered up to this point, the next step is to determine the look and feel of the site. Target audience is one of the key factors taken into consideration here. A site aimed at teenagers, for example, will look much different than one meant for a financial institution. Existing elements such as the company logo or colors need to also be incorporated to help strengthen the identity of your company on the web site. In this phase, communication is crucial to ensure that the final web site will match your needs and taste. Work together with your designer in this way, exchanging ideas, until arriving at the final design for the site. Then development can begin…

Phase Four: Development

This is where the web site itself is created. All of the individual graphic elements from the prototype are taken and used to create the actual, functional site. Your content is also taken and distributed throughout the site, in the appropriate areas.Elements such as javascript rollovers, interactive forms, or ecommerce are implemented and made functional during this phase, as well. This entire time, you will continue to be able to view your site as it is being developed, and suggest any additional changes or corrections you would like to have done.

Phase Five: Testing and Delivery

At this point, the final details are attended to and the testing of your web site happens. The testing of things such as the complete functionality of forms or other scripts, last minute compatibility issues (viewing differences between different web browsers), ensuring that the site is optimized to be viewed properly in the most recent browser versions. Once your final approval is received, it is time to deliver the site. This marks the official launch of your site, as it is now viewable to the public.

Phase Six: Maintenance

The development of your web site is not necessarily over, though. One way to bring repeat visitors to your site is to offer new content or products on a regular basis.