The planning stage is the most important, because what’s decided and mapped here sets the stage for the entire project. This is also the stage that requires client interaction and the accompanying attention to detail.

• Research & analysis
• Site map
• Contracts, copyrights and financial
• Hosting server compatibly & credibility
• Determine development and media resources (platforms, stock photography, fonts, etc.)

The design stage involves moving the information outlined in the planning stage further into reality. The main deliverables are a documented site structure and, more importantly, a visual representation. Upon completion of the design phase, the website should more or less have taken shape.

• Wireframe & design planning
• Design mockups based on analysis
• Review and approval cycle
• Coding validation

Development involves the bulk of the programming & coding work, as well as loading content.

• Build development framework
• Code page templates
• Develop & test features & plugins
• Insert content
• Test and verify links & functionality

The purpose of the launch phase is to prepare the website for public viewing. This requires final polishing of design elements, deep testing of interactivity and features and, most of all, a consideration of the user experience.

• Site improvements
• Transfer to live server
• Final testing & diagnostics
• Final cross-browser compatibility test
• Google Analytics and Console integration