Why making good websites is a complex process

Creating a website can be compared to building a detached house. It all seems pretty straightforward, but there's more to it than meets the eye. The complexity is in the coordination. From the wishes and requirements of the client being incorporated into the design, to the realizability of the design during construction.

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Think ahead

By having a good rapport with the client and knowing what the growth aspirations are, you can take into account the needs that may come into play in the future. When building a house, think about the addition or the porch. With a website, this could be an additional product group or your website in another language. When you take it into account at the beginning, you avoid surprises and extra costs afterwards.

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In this process, there are 3 steps that must align well to create a good website that meets a client's stated goals.

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1. Properly noting and understanding the client's needs. Who is the target audience you want to reach and what do you want them to do on your website? In the wireframe/design process, it is important that the added value of the customer comes to the fore and the visitor is guided to his ultimate goal.

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For example, do you have a personalized approach? Then make sure you yourself are visible on the website at the call-to-actions.

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2. Coordination between the design and the website builder in order to avoid that certain wishes cannot be implemented or that the budget is exceeded. Sometimes certain elements are very beautiful in the design but are technically very difficult to implement.

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What function does a certain button or element have, a design is often static a website is dynamic. You also have to deal with the fact that the design must also be realizable on mobile or tablet, which makes it even more challenging. Timely coordination with the developer is important to avoid problems.

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3. While developing the website/templates, there is often a lot of busy work on content. Creating content always takes a lot of time. What is important when creating content is that it fits into the templates.

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It is very annoying for a website builder if each page contains a different amount of content, both text and images. The moment you start decorating your house and your furniture is too big or too long you can't suddenly widen or raise the room either. With a website there are always options, but that does create more work. You can avoid this by staying within the framework with your content. Nowadays with ChatGPT and other AI tools you can specify how many characters / words you want to use at most.

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Would you hire a low-cost contractor?

Too expensive is not good, but too cheap raises questions? Are all wishes taken into account and will there be no additional costs later. Look carefully to see if all wishes are taken up and incorporated into solutions. Has consideration been given to the long term? If you get a good feeling with the answers, you are often right with your feelings and choice.  

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