Custom Website Design: How the Tasty Center of the Oreo Cookie Does its Part
In this third post on the Oreo Cookie Strategy for successful website projects, we will discuss how custom website design contributes to successful projects. We will focus on how small changes to the design process will result in more successful website projects and how thoughtful design choices will make the build more efficient.
If you just found this, you can review the first two posts here:
Part 1: Successful Custom Website Development Projects
Part 2: Website Redesign Project Plan
Use and Review the Wireframes
This may seem obvious, but it’s a step that’s often missed. Take the time to review what’s in the wires in detail. Understand the “what” that the wires represent. Design needs to focus on how to present the required functionality and content. If it doesn’t, it will likely hurt your budget.
Review the wires with developers. They will help the designer understand what it will take to deliver the functionality, and they will make it clear what’s easy (inexpensive) and what’s difficult (expensive).
Provide a Design for All of the Pages and Pieces
Don’t forget the little things. Provide a complete set of designs. Time wasted going back and forth asking for things is money lost and doesn’t lead to profitable website builds.
If there is a lightbox, provide a design for that. If there is a login, provide a design for this too. The 404 page, the search results page, and secondary pages like the legal and privacy policy all need designs. And don’t forget the footer. It deserves design love too.
Include the Developers
Include the developers in the design process early and often. This is especially important before selling a design to the client. Things that look good on paper may not translate across devices or may be difficult and expensive to build. A developer can suggest simple design tweaks that will make the build easier and less expensive.
Provide Mobile Designs
Mobile is important. Don’t assume that this will get taken care of in development, and provide the design.
Understand how a responsive site works. If you don’t understand it, ask a developer to explain it to you.
Consider the mobile user’s experience. If you expect interaction, design for it. Give users the space they need to work with the page on a mobile device. Understand the difference between responsive and adaptive design, and don’t use the words interchangeably.
Last, consider the functionality that will be useful to mobile users. The mobile experience doesn’t have to be the same as the desktop.
Mobile Navigation
Understand how mobile navigation works and follow accepted practices. Some things that are common in desktop design like overlays are not possible on all mobile devices. Represent this in the design. If you don’t, there will be a lot of expensive back and forth, and what you want to do still won’t be possible.
Remember to consider the site architecture and what are mobile users likely to access. As with functionality, the navigation doesn’t have to be the same for the mobile experience.
Big Finish – How Design Contributes to Successful Website Design Projects
If your designers keep these few things in mind there will be less back and forth. The developers will be able to execute your site efficiently, and there won’t be a lot of reworking. Basically, if designers recognize that they are part of a whole project, you are much more likely to have profitable website builds.
Author: James Hipkin
CEO, Managing Director
James brings over 30 years of professional sales, marketing, and marketing consultation services to the table. Serving global brands along with small businesses, Hipkin leads a highly-skilled team of full-time developers, producers, and project managers who are committed to your success.
An excellent communicator and inventive problem-solver, his creative vision and bottom-line sensibility have proven successful at building productive, long-term partnerships with both employees and clients.