The website design & development process for a WordPress website can be broken down into the following stages:
| Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery | ||||||||||
| Scope | ||||||||||
| UX Design | ||||||||||
| UI Design | ||||||||||
| Front-end Development | ||||||||||
| WordPress Development | ||||||||||
| Content | ||||||||||
| Testing | ||||||||||
| Training | ||||||||||
| Launch |
Based on the information gathered in discovery, a scope document is composed to outline the website architecture, content, design, functionality and timescale for delivery.
The design process begins with rough sketches, organising where content appears on the page. Wireframes are created to act as layout guides for all pages.
A user group is set up to test the website at wireframe, visual mock-up, HTML prototype and website completion stages.
Brand guidelines are used to create website design guidelines which will inform colour, typography and photography/illustration usage.
Mockups are designed and prototypes are created. These are then refined after client and user feedback until the final design is approved.
Pages are built using HTML and CSS, developing pages for desktop and mobile.
Functionality is added using JavaScript and PHP.
WordPress development begins using a basic theme with no CSS (E.g. Underscores)
The HTML pages are integrated to the WordPress PHP and page and post templates are created.
Additional functionality is added using third party plugins.
Content should be written and formatted to make it easy for the user to scan quickly.
The tone should be right for the audience.
Text should be concise using short sentences and paragraphs.
Using sub-header and bullet points will break up content into easier to read segments.
SEO best practices should be used when writing and adding content.
User testing should be conducted regularly throughout the design and development process and the final testing stage will highlight any errors before the website can launch.
Training for admin staff is provided in all aspects of website management, so post-launch are able to manage the website with no need for external help.
Training is provided in step by step instructions and video guides.
Once everything is tested thoroughly, the website can launch on the live server.