Designing Website refers to the way website content is delivered to the end-users through the internet, using a browser or any other software. The intent is to make a website, i.e. a compilation of online contents including applications and documents that are stores on server/servers. The web portal might include images, text, sounds and various other contents, which might also be interactive. As it is, web design typically involves the overall structure of the web site including information architecture (naming conventions and navigation schemes), the pages or the layout as well as the conceptual design along with branding.
All websites must start with a comprehensive strategy in order to make it clear, as to what they want to achieve. A strategy enables the web design to fulfill the pre-defined goals.
Various elements like text, images, forms, as well as videos may be displayed on the webpage with the help of HTML, XHTML, or XML tags. In case of older browsers Plug-ins like Adobe Flash, Java run-time environment, QuickTime, etc. may be required for displaying some media, embedded into the webpage by making use of HTML or XHTML tags.
Web pages are typically classified as dynamic or static. Static pages do not change the layout and content with each request unless and until manually updating is done in the page by a human. On the other hand, dynamic pages tend adapt the content or appearance on the basis of the changes or input/interaction of the end-user. The contents may be altered on the end-user’s computer, with the help of using scripting languages for altering the DOM elements.
With the phenomenal growth that the internet has seen in the past few years, there has also been a rising demand for web designing and development. This has resulted in the entry of several web design companies. Typically a web design company works on the creative designs of WebPages, generally in coordination with the client who provides information in regard to his or her needs or requirements. A web design company would make use of graphics software applications, such as Photoshop, or Java, which may also be used for animated graphics. Overall, the objective is to make WebPages with a particular design, a standardized graphic set, as well as minute details. Such a company may also help a client in regard to the written content for the web pages.
Essentials of Web Design Process
The dawn of the new era has brought new horizons among them the necessity of online presence is the most influential and essential. Online presence requires you to create a website. Many reputable companies offer web design and development services to small and big clients. To design a high quality websites one has to make sure that the designs are unique, in line with the current technology and innovations and appealing to the viewer. Thus, it is important to do a thorough research on your target audience before creating the website.
How your website appears to your customers will greatly influence the success of your business. Thus if you want to get good returns from your business it is important to consider your websites image. Below is an outline of the basic steps that can be under taken in web design process.
- Define the Purpose of the Website
Defining the purpose of the website is the first and foremost rule towards web design process. First define what the purpose of the website will be and the features the website will be offering. This is the first and most important step as it will determine what you do in the other essentials. It acts as the foundation for the rest of the process.
- Information Gathering
It is extremely important to consider the purpose of the website before designing. In order to collect this information one has to conduct a research about the target audience. Know the individual characteristics of the audience and their respective needs. This will be useful in establishing the theme of the website.
You will know what aspects you will put into consideration depending on the various characteristics of the audience. This is important because something may appear appealing to one person and not appealing to another.
For example what is appealing to a teenager may not be appealing to an adult and what is appealing to a doctor may not be appealing to an engineer.
- Make a Draft or Sketch
After collecting information, the next step is to make a sketch of how the website will look. Include details of how each feature will appear on the site. This includes both information and images. The sketches can be made on pieces of a paper. You don’t have to write the full information on the draft. Just write the main points. Make sketches for all the images to appear on the website. Make sure you consider all the information gathered in step two when making the draft. It is important to have a rough draft before the final copy. The draft should contain a list of sections for the website. Include subsections for each if possible and other information.
- The Actual Web Design
Use the gathered drafts and information to create the website. The draft makes this step much more easy and fast. Once you have completed, you can launch the website to see if it is working. Make the required changes to meet the customer needs. Simplicity is a critical element in web design. Do not be fooled, however, because making a simple looking website that is very easy to use takes professionalism and hard work.