20 Comprehensive Checklist of Designing and Developing a Website

From functionality to user experiences or code integrity, there are many things you need to check while developing and designing a profitable website.

In this blog, we will discuss 20 major things that will give the right direction to your design and development strategy. 

So, let’s get started. 

20 Comprehensive List of Things that You Need to Consider While Designing and Developing a Website

A step-by-step guide helps you in keeping all your tasks on track. These are the following things that every web design and development company keeps in their priority bucket to provide high-quality services. If you want to create highly skilled developers like websites, then check these 20 things in your website development process.  

#1: Planning & Strategy

First and foremost is planning your whole roadmap of website design and development process. In web design and development, planning is also essential for successful website development. 

Planning can give direction to your actions, and strategy gives you a blueprint to save time and money by effectively utilizing resources. You can get a consultation from experienced web design and development companies or take charge in your own hands. Here are the vital questions that you need to brainstorm for building an effective plan and strategy for designing and developing your website. 

1. What are my website’s primary goals?
2. Who is my target audience?
3. What are my competitors doing?
4. What kind of user experience (UX) do I want to create?
5. What content will be most valuable to my audience?
6. What functionalities are essential for the website?
7. How will I ensure the website is mobile-friendly? 
8. What is my budget for website development and ongoing maintenance?
9. What is the timeline for development and launch?
10. How will the website be optimized for search engines (SEO)?
11. How will I measure the success of the website?

By asking and answering these vital questions, business owners and developers can lay a solid foundation for a website that effectively achieves its goals and delivers a positive user experience.

Remember: 

“Crafting a successful website starts with setting clear goals.”

Whether it’s boosting sales or enhancing brand visibility, defining your objectives groundwork for effective design and development. The clarity in goals ensures that every aspect of your website—from layout to content—aligns with your overarching strategy.

#2: Pick Out Your Domain and Hosting Choosing 

A domain and hosting for your website­ is all about finding trustworthy and scalable options. Plus, your brand name has to stand strong. There­fore, picking a domain name that mirrors your brand and principles should be­ a top priority. 

And here’s a tip: Locate words re­lated to your business that stick in people­’s minds. 

Then go for a hosting provider known for uninterrupte­d service, spee­dy website loading, and depe­ndable customer help. Think about how much your we­bsite might grow and pick a hosting plan that allows for that growth without slowing things down.

#3: Select Your Backend System

When choosing a backend system for your project, consider scalability, performance, and developer familiarity. You can consider lightweight frameworks like Flask (Python) or Express (Node.js) for simple websites or blogs. 

On the other hand, technologies like Django (Python) or Ruby on Rails are recommended backend frameworks for complex web applications requiring real-time updates. Evaluate each option based on your project’s specific requirements and team expertise.

However, if you are not aware of which backend framework, you need to go with. Then, I’ll suggest consulting with some expert developers. They are proficient in delivering outstanding services for small to enterprise-level businesses. So, you don’t have a heritage! Freely contact them and get all your technical queries resolved by experts.  

#4: Progressive Web App Considerations (Optional)

PWAs are the best web and mobile app technologies that provide users with speedy, secure, and engaging experiences. You can leverage PWA capabilities such as offline functionality, push notifications, and home screen installation. 

These features not only allow you to create a good user experience but also push your business forward from your competitors.

However, PWA requires a high budget. So, it is optional. According to your business goals, you can develop your website with PWA or go with other options. 

Here are some of the most common business goals that take leverage of PWA power. 

• Increased Mobile Engagement
• Enhanced Brand Awareness
• Specific Business Use Cases

Thus, consider PWA according to your business. You can consult it with any web development experts. Add PWA to your website design and development process to provide a more app-like browsing experience.

#5: Design your website

After so much blue sky thinking, now it’s time to take action. You can start with designing your website by using the analysis and research that we discussed earlier in this blog. In web design, utilizing creativity and adding accessibility make your design result-driven.   

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, said, “Design isn’t just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works.” 

This quote emphasizes that successful design goes beyond aesthetics; it should be functional and user-friendly. Here are some essential things of web design and usability that allow you to create a professional web design. 

• Prioritize responsive design
• Effective color scheme
• Proper and suitable typography
• Utilize balanced whitespace or negative space
• Craft visually appealing designs that enhance credibility and professionalism.
• Multiple browser compatibility
• Ensure accessibility
• Offer multilingual support to reach a broad audience.
• Web design should be a high-performing website.

Tips: A/B testing is the best way to know the best website design version. Test variables like headlines, button colors, or form placements to optimize user engagement and conversion rates. 

If you are not creative or confident about which is best for your design, then consult with web designers. They know about the latest trends and technologies that make your future-ready design stand out for your website. 

#6: Create a Sitemap and Navigation

A well-structured site map relies on the foundation for seamless navigation. Therefore, organize your content logically, considering user pathways and accessibility. 

The clear navigation menus and intuitive links enhance user experience, enabling visitors to find information effortlessly. 

According to Microsoft’s survey Report, In 95% of cases, when you provide a delightful experience to your visitors, they will remind your brand of the next requirements. 

For this reason, create a well-structured sitemap for your website. 

#7: Implement Effective and Clear Calls to Action

Effective calls to action (CTAs) are essential for guiding users toward desired actions on your website. To build conversion-oriented CTAs ensure they are visually prominent, using contrasting colors and clear, action-oriented language.

Then, place them strategically throughout your content and utilize compelling verbs to encourage engagement – Tailor CTAs to align with the user’s journey and offer value or incentive for clicking. 

Once you are done with the creation process of the CTAs button, test and optimize CTAs regularly for maximum effectiveness.

#8: Embrace a Mobile-First Approach

Now, let’s decide on the most important factor, which is mobile optimization. As we all know, mobile is the major device that users handle for online searches. 

According to the survey of Statista mobile users worldwide 2020-2025, “there are more than 7.41 billion mobile users worldwide. 

As a result, we need to prioritize mobile optimization in this mobile-centric world. 

You can start by designing your website layout and features for mobile devices, then scale up for larger screens. This approach ensures that all users have a consistent and enjoyable experience regardless of their device. 

By embracing a mobile-first approach, you cater to the growing number of mobile users and future-proof your website against changing technology trends.

#9: Include Essential Functionality

Functionality in website design refers to the features and capabilities that enhance user experience and interaction. When you incorporate specific functionalities that make your website more engaging as well as improve your website’s usability. Some of the most common functionalities are:

• Incorporate Offline Functionality
• Incorporate Search Functionality
• Utilize a Content Management System (CMS)
• Integrate Social Media Integration

The website can provide a seamless user experience, improve content discoverability, streamline content management processes, and enhance social sharing and interaction by incorporating these functionalities. 

#10: Prioritize Website Security

An SSL certificate encrypts sensitive information, such as login credentials and payment details, preventing unauthorized access by hackers. It also displays a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar, indicating a secure connection, which builds trust with visitors. 

Here are some practical ways to secure your website. 

• Add Captcha Testing 
• Secure with SSL Certificate
• Implement Data Backup & recovery

By securing your website with an SSL certificate, you protect user data and enhance security, ultimately improving credibility and user confidence in your website.

#11: Embrace Emerging Technologies

Stay abreast of technological advancements and consider integrating emerging technologies such as voice search and augmented reality to future-proof your website. 

To perform better, every website needs to continuously evaluate and adopt technologies that align with its objectives. This will also help you enhance your user’s experiences. 

These are some practical ways to embrace emerging technologies;

• Stay Informed
• Identify Needs and Opportunities
• Start Small and Experiment
• Develop a Culture of Learning
• Invest in Resources

Remember: Embracing emerging technologies is an ongoing process. By staying informed, identifying opportunities, starting small, and fostering a culture of learning, you can position your business to thrive in the ever-evolving technological landscape.

#12: Plan for Scalability

An ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “change is the only constant”.

In web design and development, “scalability involves building a flexible infrastructure and architecture that can adapt as well as grow seamlessly with your business growth. 

By prioritizing scalability, you future-proof your website against limitations and ensure it can scale efficiently to meet the demands of growing user bases and evolving business requirements. Here are some of the most useful scalable practices you can use in your web design and development activities. 

• Planning for Growth
• Architecture and Design
• Technology Choices
• Performance Optimization
• Load Balancing

This proactive approach enables you to maintain optimal performance, reliability, and user experience as your website expands and evolves over time.

Moreover, you can utilize scalable hosting solutions and cloud services that we discuss in the second point. Implement modular and extensible code structures, regularly monitor performance metrics, and conduct scalability testing to identify potential bottlenecks as well as optimize system resources.

#13: Ensure Your Website Offers Accessibility

Accessibility is fundamental to website design, ensuring inclusivity for all users. Incorporate features like descriptive alt text for images to assist users with visual impairments. Provide keyboard navigation options to enhance usability for individuals with mobility impairments. 

By prioritizing accessibility, you create a more inclusive online environment and demonstrate your commitment to serving diverse audiences with respect and equality.

#14: Write Website Content from Your Heart

You need to write your content from your heart to touch your audience’s heart because content is a major part of communication in online mediums. 

As Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, said, “Content is king.”

In this sentence, you can also feel your surroundings.

Content with a clear message that your users can easily understand improves your website’s authority in the industry. To write an impactful content strategy, you should keep these key pointers in mind;

• Develop Content Strategy 
• Create User Personas
• Employ Benefit Oriented Copywriting
• Define a Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
• Use stock images with proper licensing and certificate
• Implement content personalization
• Utilize Strong Storytelling
• Ensure that your contact information is prominently displayed on your website.
• Prioritize Readability
• Only add original content that aligns with your goal

With proper analysis, surely find your way to express your vision with a positive influence on users. 

#15: Add Testimonials and Case Studies

Including testimonials and case studies on your website provides social proof and builds trust with potential customers. 

Testimonials showcase positive experiences from satisfied clients, while case studies offer in-depth analyses of successful projects or partnerships. Together, they validate your expertise, credibility, and the value you provide, encouraging visitors to engage with your products or services. 

That is why, adding testimonials and case studies is important to gain trust in the industry. 

#16: Integrate Social Media Integration

Embed social media icons and sharing buttons on your website to encourage visitors to connect with you on various platforms. Connect your website with social media platforms to extend your reach, foster engagement, and build a community around your brand.

#17: Implement Data Backup & Recovery

Regularly backing up your website’s data is essential for protecting against data loss due to hardware failures, human errors, or cyberattacks. Utilize automated backup solutions to create copies of your website’s files, databases, and configurations on remote servers or cloud storage. 

Also, establish a recovery plan outlining the steps to restore your website in emergencies. By implementing robust backup and recovery procedures, you minimize downtime and mitigate potential damages, ensuring the continuity of your online presence.

#18: Focus on Search Engine Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) ensures that your website or blog is discoverable and ranks well on search engine results pages (SERPs). You can keep in mind essential actions that will give you positive outcomes, such as;

• Increased Visibility
• Targeted Traffic
• Cost-Effectiveness
• Builds Credibility and Trust
• Improved User Experience
• Long-Term Results
• Competitive Advantage
• Effective Measurable Results Report

So, you have to work on each factor that will resolve any of the above-mentioned or your unique requirements. 

These are the following key steps that website owners or developers should do while designing and developing a successful website.  

• Research targeted audience
• Technical SEO optimization
• On-page SEO optimization
• Mobile-first indexing
• Schema markup
• Analytics and monitoring

However, you can get help from our SEO Experts who give you relevant information and implement effective SEO strategies to make your website more visible on SERPs. 

#19: Optimize Website Speed

According to the case study of SnipesUSA.com by eCommerce journalism and research company, Digital Commerce 360, “ after optimizing 1 sec of web page speed the average conversion increased about 2 – 1%.

Here is another case study of AliExpress about page speed.  By reducing 36% of website loading time, they get a 10.5% boost in orders and 27% in new customer conversion. 

Additionally, Google considers website speed https://www.pixlogix.com/improve-wordpress-website-speed/a ranking factor, so faster websites tend to rank higher in search results.

By considering the above factors, you know what the benchmark you can set for your website. 

So while developing a website consider minimizing code side, low loading techniques, compress media size, or other methods to boost your website page speed.   

#20: Utilize Analytics Tracking Tools

Utilize analytics tracking tools to monitor website performance and user behavior. Popular options include Google Analytics, providing comprehensive insights into traffic, engagement, and conversions.

Other tools like Hotjar offer heatmaps and user session recordings for deeper understanding. These tools aid in optimizing website design and content for better user experience and conversion rates.

Final Note

Designing and developing a successful website requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and ongoing maintenance. This checklist of 20 essential elements provides a comprehensive guide to creating a user-friendly, engaging, high-performing website.

Remember that your website is dynamic and evolving, and regular updates and maintenance are essential to keep it relevant, secure, and effective. Continuously evaluate and optimize your website to ensure it aligns with your goals. 

But if you want to save your time and get tasks from a professional hand. Here is the best solution for you. With 15+ continually successful years and 2500+ projects, Pixlogix is a tech master to hire for your business. We believe in offering the best ROI. Free to share your ideas with our friendly team, captivate audiences, foster engagement, and drive success in the ever-evolving era. Contact us now.