what's your first step when creating a site?

15 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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In particular with regard to the design.

When I start a site I have a layout idea in my head and I open up sublime get some basics in place and off I go using just css to fine tune the image I have in my head.

The reason I do this is because I find it a good way of experimenting with CSS but also because I haven't the first clue where to start with Photoshop other than for basic tasks.

So how does everyone do it and what tools do you use to carry out the task?

Do you discuss the design process with the client?

Do you reuse your designs with minor tweaks?
#creating #site #step
  • Profile picture of the author szaboomikierno
    Hey,
    The first step should always be, doing some research. What does the client want? What does the client need? Look up some similar sites, with similar niche (remember: don’t copy and paste a design, but inspiration is key).



    Choose a style or a theme, do you / client like a modern metro style approach? Or maybe something more complex with 3D elements? Remember this is not a wireframe, just choosing a style. After this try to build a simple wireframe for the chosen style / niche.
    Build the core, how will be the elements placed, choose the colors and the font. Try to focus on the “F” shape design. After you have the wireframe you can easily build widgets for the website. If you build the core layout first, the elements will naturally adapt to it, if an element does not fit the design, you will see it immediately.



    I suggest, you create a mock design with a software that you can handle easily. For example, no point creating it in Photoshop if you can draw it faster . Send the mock design to the client, BUT remember to explain that this is only the mock design, because most of the time they will think that the site is half way done.


    I know these are only some basic steps, but following it stopped me getting stuck on designing a perfect button or navigation bar before I even had an idea of the layout. Build it from the bottom to top. Add content, style it and then add effects. Don’t try to build a website around one element.


    Hope it helped
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  • Profile picture of the author pinkwhale
    Banned
    hi,when i create a website the first step in my mind is how its design and layout.and how i am create a interactive website
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  • Profile picture of the author FreedomBlogger
    I personally use Photoshop and I also like to play around with CSS

    Sometimes I would use the same image and tweak it to come up with a new design.

    Old ideas are still ideas!

    I wish you the best!

    Cheers
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  • Profile picture of the author anynewsbd
    I think first u have to think about that what kind of website you want to build then choose your domain name & start making your website .
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  • Profile picture of the author bonvideo
    I would advise to make sure you are hosting your website in the right jurisdiction, designing your website is important but it all falls on where it will reside in terms of security, privacy and protection. Nowadays an ever growing amount of websites owners are finding their websites to be deleted or blocked without prior warning because of some logo, image or non well based even silly trademark infringement claim, this is specially true in the US. So my advice would be to know where you want your business and website to incorporate before starting any desing process, this because later on migrating a website tends to be more complex that having a right start from day one, etc

    Best regards!
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  • Profile picture of the author Action Man
    Originally Posted by jennecarter View Post

    In particular with regard to the design.

    When I start a site I have a layout idea in my head and I open up sublime get some basics in place and off I go using just css to fine tune the image I have in my head.

    The reason I do this is because I find it a good way of experimenting with CSS but also because I haven't the first clue where to start with Photoshop other than for basic tasks.

    So how does everyone do it and what tools do you use to carry out the task?

    Do you discuss the design process with the client?

    Do you reuse your designs with minor tweaks?
    i do nothing but sell?

    if your product is good, what more do you need, sell it

    comm, it's easy peasy

    your daughter could sell, take action
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    "Love conquers all things except poverty and toothache" (Mae West)

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  • maybe you should hire a web designer?? there are plenty in the warriors for hire section
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  • Profile picture of the author Kristi1603
    I usually create sites using Wordpress, so I focus on choosing a simple responsive theme and creating a logo!



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  • Profile picture of the author Nuke07
    Originally Posted by jennecarter View Post

    In particular with regard to the design.

    When I start a site I have a layout idea in my head and I open up sublime get some basics in place and off I go using just css to fine tune the image I have in my head.

    The reason I do this is because I find it a good way of experimenting with CSS but also because I haven't the first clue where to start with Photoshop other than for basic tasks.

    So how does everyone do it and what tools do you use to carry out the task?

    Do you discuss the design process with the client?

    Do you reuse your designs with minor tweaks?
    In my opinion, first you discuss about the layout of your website with your designer then he'd build psd as per your ideas and then you should make changes as per your desire. So after some modification, you d get an ideal layout for your website theme
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  • Profile picture of the author vryannn
    Brainstorm and then hire a designer!
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      The very first thing I do is workout the navigation. Forget everything else work out the flow of the site. Do you need just 1 Nav bar? do you need 2? Are you going to utilize a Mega dropdown? just a regular drop down? how deep down the page are these going to go.

      All of these things for ME dictate the overall site design. FORM follows FUNCTION.
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      Success is an ACT not an idea
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  • Profile picture of the author Blaine Smitley
    I choose a geo specific trade or industry... What have you.. The latest one is for Mortgage Brokers in Louisville KY

    This is how I pretty much always do it.

    1) Industry and competitor research

    SUB 1) PRIMARY Keyword Research ( the real kind )

    2) I choose the right domain name according to the primary key phrase the website will be targeting. Then I write it on a 4x6 post card along with the amount of monthly searches per googles key word planner the phrase gets with a hot pink high lighter.

    SUB 2) Then I do CATEGORY Keyword Research around the chosen domains keyphrase.

    3) I'll choose at least 5 main category key phrases that are actionable/buying related and write all of them on 4x6 post cards along with the amount of monthly searches they get in neon green hi liter. I spread them out in a row on a table underneath the card with domain name.

    SUB 3) Now I do TOPICAL keyword research around each of the category key phrases.

    4) I'll choose at least 4-10 actionable/buying related sub topical key phrases for each category and write these on 4x6 post cards along with the corresponding monthly search volumes, I will have the highest search volume phrase first and the lowest last. These are written in bright blue hi liter and I place underneath their corresponding category cards on the table.

    When I'm done I also have it on a spread sheet that's color coded. I'll stew on this for a day or two and review the cards from time to time. I may make a change or two. At the end I have A very relevant organized site structure.

    Built it out in a tightly interlinked topical silo structure with proper menus. Point a few relevant back links at it and watch it rank on up there.

    I generally will slowly add to it over the course of a month or two taking each category silo 1 at a time. Adding a two or more pages a week causes google to see the constant freshness. I try adding one maybe 2 back links a week to the silo I'm currently working on. Sometimes the site screams right on up and I won't even finish a silo.

    I'm finding this method to work OK and don't see the penguin, panda, humming bird, or any other animals mucking with it in the future....

    Slow and steady that's my motto. Generally around the 3-4 month I'll find somebody to lease it to. Then just keep building on it if needed. If not then don't. As long as the clients getting a suitable return off of it who cares?

    It takes very few back links to make something like this rank.

    The mortgage site is on page 1 in the number 2 spot at 6 months with only Zillow ahead of it.... I hate Zillow. But the client I found to rent the site loves it and pays to have his logo and info on it, so it's all good.

    And that is as it should be
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  • Profile picture of the author SteveJohnson
    *MY* first step?

    Collect an initial payment.
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    Gun control means never having to say, "I missed you."

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  • Profile picture of the author Brandboyz
    Banned
    1)Choose a domain name
    2)Determine what kind of hosting package you will need.
    3)Website navigation/ Website content - Make sure your idea for your website is clear.
    4)You might also want to use a web template to make it easier for you as well if you don't have time to do it yourself.
    5)Design your website - Decide what software you're going to use to design your website.
    6)Text/Graphics and Web buttons - Use Adobe Photoshop to generate a page header for your website.
    7)Website design and development tools - There are many sites available for learning how to design and develop websites.
    8)Search engine submission - Don't forget try to get it on all the big guys, Google, Yahoo!,
    9)Their pages will walk you through the submission progress, from adding your sitemap and including your child pages as well.
    10)Last but not least advertise, you can always use Yahoo or Google Adwords and maintain your own budget.
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