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Website Development Cheat Sheet Outline

FYI these are all links to more resources

1. Planning & Research

  1. Define Target Audience & Purpose: Clarify who the website is for and what it aims to accomplish.
  2. Competitor Analysis: Review competitor sites to identify strengths, weaknesses, and inspiration.
  3. Outline Site Structure: Map out main pages and sections for clear navigation.
  4. Content Requirements & Goals: Determine the type and amount of content needed to fulfill the site’s purpose.
  5. SEO Research: Conduct keyword research and plan on-page SEO basics for better search rankings.
  6. Design Inspiration & Style Guide: Create a style guide and gather visual inspiration to ensure consistency.

2. Design

  1. Choose Color Scheme & Fonts: Select colors and fonts that align with the brand and target audience.
  2. Create Wireframes & Layouts: Plan layouts for each key page to maintain consistency and flow.
  3. Plan Responsive Design: Ensure the design adapts smoothly across desktop, tablet, and mobile.
  4. Determine Image/Media Needs: Outline images and media needed for each section of the site.
  5. Style Buttons & CTAs: Design clear and enticing call-to-action buttons.
  6. Check UX Elements: Prioritize user experience by ensuring easy navigation and accessibility.

3. Development Setup

  1. Set Up Project Structure: Organize project folders and initiate version control with Git.
  2. Select Frameworks/Platforms: Decide on a CMS or framework (e.g., WordPress, custom HTML/CSS).
  3. Arrange Hosting & Domain: Purchase hosting and set up the domain for your website.
  4. Prepare Tools & Libraries: Add CSS frameworks (e.g., Bootstrap) and JavaScript libraries as needed.

4. Building the Website

  1. Header & Navigation: Position logo, navigation links, and social icons in the header.
  2. Hero Section: Add a headline, subheadline, and CTA, with a background image or video.
  3. Main Content: Populate key sections like services, product info, and testimonials.
  4. Blog Section (if applicable): Add a blog feed for regular content updates.
  5. Footer: Include quick links, contact info, and social media links in the footer.

5. SEO & Performance Optimization

  1. Optimize Images: Use compressed images and proper dimensions to reduce load time.
  2. Meta Titles & Descriptions: Add relevant titles and meta descriptions for each page.
  3. Alt Text for Images: Write descriptive alt text for accessibility and SEO.
  4. URL Structure: Use clean and descriptive URLs.
  5. Minify CSS & JavaScript: Reduce file sizes by minifying CSS and JS files.
  6. Use a CDN: Serve content through a Content Delivery Network for faster load times.

6. Testing

  1. Cross-Browser Testing: Check compatibility on major browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
  2. Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure the website displays well on mobile devices.
  3. Functionality Testing: Test forms, links, and interactive elements to ensure they work.
  4. Accessibility Check: Verify alt text, labels, and contrast ratios for accessibility.

7. Launch Preparation

  1. Final Proofreading: Review and finalize all content.
  2. Set Up Analytics: Integrate Google Analytics and other tracking tools.
  3. Enable SSL & Security: Ensure the site is secure with SSL and basic security measures.
  4. Backup & Maintenance Plans: Schedule regular backups and create a maintenance plan.
  5. Submit Sitemap: Submit the sitemap to search engines for indexing.

8. Post-Launch & Maintenance

  1. Monitor Site Performance: Regularly check speed and analytics.
  2. Update Content: Keep the site fresh with new blog posts or updates.
  3. Fix Broken Links: Periodically scan for broken links and fix them.
  4. Update Software & Plugins: Keep software up-to-date to maintain security.
  5. Regular Backups: Schedule backups to prevent data loss.
  6. Gather User Feedback: Collect feedback to improve user experience.