Everyone wants to build a website but 83% of people don’t know how?
It’s okay.
We are not here for the rest of 17%.
We are here for you.
cmsMinds is here to teach you the basics of web development in a fun and easy way.
Therefore, let’s begin with the beginning of web development.
Planning
Before starting to work on the website or create a plan for it, it is important to decide on a goal.
To define the goal, it is crucial to get answers to these questions first:
- What is the purpose behind the website? What do you wish to achieve with it?
- Who are your target customers? What’s their basic needs and preferences?
- What type of content should be included? Main topics and categories to cover.
- How should the website aesthetics and feel be? Colors, fonts, images, and styles to be used.
- What features and functionalities do you want to offer to your users?
- How will you measure the success of your website? What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) you want to track and improve?
Once the vision is clear, it’s time to move onto the next step.
Selecting the Right Tools and Platforms
Website development has two sides:
- Front-end
- Back-end
Front-End Tools and Platforms
HTML
It is used for creating the structure and content of the web pages.
CSS
It is a language used for styling and formatting web pages, such as
- Colors
- Fonts
- Layouts
- Animations
It is used for adding interactivity, utility and functionality to web pages, such as
- Buttons
- Menu
- Forms
- Effects
Bootstrap
It is a framework for creating responsive and mobile-friendly web pages, using
- Templates
- Predefined components
React
It is a library for curating user-friendly web pages, using
- Reusable components
- State management
VS Code
It is an editor for writing and editing code, with features like
- Debugging
- Extensions
- Syntax highlighting
Back-End Tools and Platforms
PHP
It is a language for making dynamic and server-side web pages, like
- Login
- Registration
- E-commerce
Laravel
It is a framework for creating web applications using PHP, with features like
- Routing
- Testing
- Authentication
MySQL
It is a database for storing and retrieving data, such as
- Orders
- Products
- User information
WordPress
It is a platform for creating and managing websites, using
- Plugins
- Themes
- Dashboard
Firebase
It is a platform for creating and hosting web applications, using features like
- Hosting
- Storage
- Database
- Authentication
Now comes the fun part of creating a website!
Coding and Designing Your Website
This can be a rewarding process, as you can use your creativity and skills to curate a unique and functional website which showcases your brand and business ideology.
However, it can also turn complex and time-consuming at times as you need to follow the standards and best practices of web development, to make sure the website design is responsive across different devices and browsers.
Tips you can follow and make this process fun yet effective:
Use a code formatter and linter
A code linter is a tool that automatically checks the code for errors, bugs, and potential problems, making it more reliable and secure.
You can use tools like
- Prettier
- ESLint
to format and lint your code by integrating them with the editor and browser.
Use a code snippet and template
A code snippet is a piece of reusable code that you can insert into the code to perform a specific task or function, saving you time and effort.
A template is a pre-made file or folder structure that you can use as a starting point for your website, saving you time and effort.
You can use tools like
- Emmet
- Bootstrap
to create and use code snippets and templates, and integrate them with your editor and browser.
Use a code version control and collaboration
A code version control is a system that tracks and manages the changes and history of your code, allowing you to revert, merge, and branch your code, making it more organized and secure.
A code collaboration is a system that allows you to share and work on your code with other developers, allowing you to communicate, review, and improve your code, making it more productive and quality.
You can use tools like
- Git
- GitHub
to version control and collaborate on your code, and integrate them with your editor and browser.
Use code testing and debugging
Code testing is a process that checks your code for functionality, performance, and usability, securing that your website works as expected and meets your requirements.
Code debugging is a process that identifies and fixes the errors and bugs in your code, ensuring that your website runs smoothly and securely.
You can use tools like
- Jest
- Chrome DevTools
to test and debug your code, and integrate them with your editor and browser.
The final step to designing a website is to launch your website to the public, so that your users can access it.
Launching your website
It demands uploading of your website files and folders to a web server, which is a computer that hosts and delivers your website to the internet.
You can use a web hosting service, such as Firebase, to host your website on their servers, or can use your own server, if you have one.
Along with it you need to register a domain name, which is the address that your users type in their browser to access your website.
Example – www.xyz.com
You can use a domain name registrar, such as GoDaddy to register and manage your domain name, or you can use a subdomain, which is a part of a domain name.
Example – xyz.firebaseapp.com
It also involves promoting your website, which is the process of increasing your website’s visibility and traffic, by using various methods, such as SEO, social media, email marketing, and advertising.
You can use tools like
- Google Ads
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
to monitor and optimize your website’s performance and reach.
With this, you are all done with making your first ever website!
Congratulations!
However, if you get stuck somewhere or unable to make a website as desired, you can contact our team of experts. We are a web development company in Raleigh, who can help you in taking your business online and convert it into a brand!
Happy develop-ing!
