Website Design Checklist With Bullet Points
Pre-Design Planning
– Define your website’s goals and objectives.
– Identify your target audience and their preferences.
– Research your competitors and industry trends.
– Determine your budget and resources for the project.
– Create a project timeline and set milestones.
Domain Name & Hosting Account
– Choose and register a domain name that reflects your brand.
– Select a reliable web hosting provider with suitable hosting options.
– Set up domain and hosting accounts with proper configurations.
Content Strategy
– Develop a content strategy that aligns with your goals.
– Create a content calendar for regular updates.
– Plan your website’s content structure and organization.
User Experience (UX)
– Design intuitive navigation for easy user interaction.
– Ensure responsive design for various screen sizes and devices.
– Prioritize fast loading times for optimal user experience.
– Optimize readability with legible fonts and proper spacing.
Visual Design
– Establish your brand identity with consistent colors and typography.
– Create or choose a professional logo that represents your brand.
– Select high-quality visuals (images, videos, graphics) that enhance your content.
– Ensure a visually appealing and balanced layout.
SEO and Accessibility
– Conduct keyword research for SEO optimization.
– Optimize meta tags (titles, descriptions) for search engines.
– Implement alt text for images to improve accessibility.
– Comply with accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG) for inclusivity.
Functionality and Features
– Choose an appropriate Content Management System (CMS) for your needs.
– Customize your website with essential features and plugins.
– Integrate social media buttons and sharing options.
– Implement forms, contact mechanisms, and interactive elements.
Security and Backups
– Install security plugins or measures to protect your website.
– Regularly update your CMS, plugins, and themes for security.
– Set up automated backups to safeguard your data.
Testing and Quality Assurance
– Conduct usability testing to gather user feedback.
– Test your website on various browsers and devices.
– Proofread and edit all content for accuracy and professionalism.
– Check forms, links, and contact mechanisms for functionality.
Analytics and Tracking
– Install analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics) to monitor website traffic.
– Set up goals and conversion tracking for data analysis.
– Regularly review analytics to make data-driven decisions.
Legal and Compliance
– Ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g., GDPR).
– Include necessary privacy policies and terms of service.
– Validate copyright and trademark permissions for content.
Launch and Promotion
– Prepare a launch plan with a specific launch date.
– Promote your website through social media, email marketing, and other channels.
– Monitor website performance post-launch.
Maintenance and Updates
– Plan for regular website maintenance, including content updates.
– Stay informed about industry trends and design advancements.
– Be prepared to adapt and improve your website over time.
Feedback and Iteration
– Gather user feedback through surveys or user testing.
– Act on feedback to enhance the user experience.
– Continuously iterate and improve your website based on insights.
Professional Assistance
– Seek professional help for coding, design, SEO, or other specialized areas if needed.
By following this comprehensive website design checklist, you can create a well-structured, visually appealing, and functional website that effectively communicates your brand message and meets the needs of your target audience.
Ray Grubman lives in Greenville SC, and has been building websites since 1999, starting out hand-coding with HTML and then adding CSS a few years later.
He’s been building WordPress websites exclusively since 2010, and has designed hundreds of websites and landing pages for law firms, dentists, chiropractors, roofers, driving schools, computer technology firms, non-profits, Pilates/Yoga studios, equipment distributors, mortgage brokerage companies, authors, private investigation firms, auto insurance brokers and home inspectors.
He also has extensive experience in SEO, Local SEO and PPC.