You have made the decision to order website development services and have a clear vision of what it should be. You understand the functions the website should perform, envision its design, and have specific timelines in mind. To ensure the development process goes smoothly, before you start looking for a developer, it's a good idea to create a technical specification.
Of course, creating a comprehensive technical specification often requires specialized expertise, but you can certainly write a preliminary document in your own words. After choosing a web development studio, their specialists can then add technical details and structure it as needed. In this article, we will guide you on what to pay attention to so that there are no situations during development like "but I asked for this" — "it's not in the technical specification."
A technical specification for website development is a fundamental step without which the entire web project creation process may be inefficient and stressful. This document serves as a navigation guide for all project participants and outlines key aspects of the work.
The technical specification helps the client and developers to clearly define the purpose and objectives of the website. It helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures a shared vision of the final outcome.
The document precisely defines the scope of functionality that the website is expected to provide. This assists in determining the necessary technical solutions and means to achieve the project's goals during development.
The technical specification helps identify potential risks and issues during the project planning phase. This allows for the preparation of action plans to address them and avoid delays in development.
The document establishes a common language for all project participants, including the client, designers, programmers, and testers. This promotes better communication and mutual understanding of tasks.
The technical specification sets the criteria for assessing the quality of the project, helping to determine whether they have been met. This is crucial for ensuring the high quality of the final product.
The technical specification establishes the expected scope of work and project completion timelines. This allows developers and the client to monitor expenses and avoid schedule delays.
The start of any successful project begins with a clearly defined goal. This holds true for the creation of a website, which requires a clear understanding of why the website is being developed. Defining the purpose is the first and one of the most crucial steps in the process of creating a technical specification for a website.
Defining the website's purpose is the task of articulating how the web resource is intended to solve a specific problem or task. The purpose can vary widely, depending on the project's nature. Here are a few examples:
Websites that provide information on a specific topic or product. The goal is to disseminate knowledge, offer up-to-date information, and educate.
Online stores aim to sell goods or services. The goal is to provide a convenient and secure means of purchasing products.
Company websites are designed to present the business and facilitate communication with clients. The goal is brand strengthening, attracting new customers, and simplifying communication.
Sites of this type facilitate user interaction. The goal is to provide a platform for information exchange and communication.
Defining the website's purpose helps in determining the target audience, functionality, design, and other aspects of development. It is essential for the purpose to be clear, specific, and measurable, as this allows for evaluating the success and alignment of the website with its intended tasks.
After defining the website's purpose, it's necessary to formulate specific tasks that need to be accomplished to achieve that purpose. This helps in detailing the project and determining how the goal can be reached.
Each goal can be broken down into a series of specific tasks, including the following aspects:
Identifying the target audience, their needs, expectations, and issues.
Determining the specific functions the website should perform to meet the audience's needs.
Defining the website's structure, design, color palette, and user interface to ensure user-friendliness.
Specifying what content should be featured on the site, including text, images, videos, and more.
Defining technical aspects such as platform choice, security, scalability, and other technical parameters.
Determining the budget, resource allocation, and setting project completion timelines.
As a client, you may not be able to formulate technical requirements or set a work schedule. However, you can describe the functions you want for the site in your own words. You can also provide links to websites with similar functions or designs that you like. Regarding timelines, if you have a specific deadline tied to an exhibition or the release of a new collection, for example, make sure to communicate those preferences. Even if the development company can't complete the work by the specified date, they can launch the site with essential features and update it with additional planned elements later.
Starting the analysis with the goals of the site and the target audience is crucial. If you don't have well-defined marketing research on your target audience, it's advisable to conduct such research before starting the website development. Considering the unique characteristics of the target audience, developers can create a high-quality web resource tailored to your customers' preferences and needs.
Creating a comprehensive list of all the website's functionality can be challenging. However, it's recommended to make the description as detailed as possible and to spend time reviewing it multiple times. Practice shows that you will likely remember functions and features you want to include on the site as you go along. Below are key directions to consider, so you don't miss anything:
When planning to commission a website, it's essential to consider how you want it to look and interact with your audience. In this section, we'll discuss design and interface requirements for your future site.
Consider the overall look you want for your website. Do you prefer a modern, minimalist design, or perhaps you like a more traditional style?
Make a list of graphic elements you wish to use, such as photos, illustrations, etc. This will help you avoid situations where you lack the necessary photo in the required proportions when adding content.
Think about the colors you'd like to use on your website. Colors can influence users' emotions, so choose those that reflect the tone of your project.
It's best to start website development with a ready logo and a brand book. This way, the overall style of the website will emphasize and support your corporate identity.
Remember that the design and navigation of your website can significantly impact users' impressions and their ability to find the information they need. Setting clear design and interface requirements will help make your site attractive and user-friendly for visitors.
Before diving into the development of your dream website, it's essential to prepare the content you plan to showcase on it. This includes text, images, videos, and other materials that will convey your information to your audience. Content preparation is a crucial step that will influence the look and functionality of your website.
Here are some tips for content preparation:
Before you start writing or creating content, determine the key messages you want to convey to your audience. These messages should be clear, concise, and directed at achieving your goals.
Develop textual content for your website, including articles, product or service descriptions, "About Us," and other sections.
Ensure clarity and ease of reading in your text. Use short paragraphs, headings, lists, and other structural elements.
Prepare graphic content, including images and videos that will showcase your products, services, or illustrate your messages.
Ensure high-quality images and videos optimized for the web.
Consider optimizing your content for search engines (SEO). Use keywords, meta tags, tags, and other methods to make your site easier to find in searches.
Make sure that all the content you plan to use on your site doesn't infringe on copyright. If you're using images, text, or other materials from other authors, obtain permission to use them.
It's the right time to organize a photoshoot with your colleagues or capture your production process. Having fresh content during the development phase will help design specialists present it more favorably.
If you are facing difficulties in writing a technical specification for your future website, don't worry — you always have the option to get professional help. Our web studio is ready to provide you with full support and consultations for the development of a technical specification for your website.
Our team of experts in web development is ready to assist you in creating a detailed technical specification that meets your needs and requirements. We will develop a structured document for you, including all the necessary details and requirements for the successful development of your website.
You can be assured that you will receive an individualized approach that takes into account all of your preferences. Furthermore, after preparing the technical specification, you can also turn to us for website development and order a website that incorporates all the specified requirements.
So, don't waste any time — reach out to COI.UA, and we will be delighted to help you bring your ideas and dreams to life!
