What steps do you guys take in creating a website?

[Noted Fear]

Right I'm trying to get into web design but I need to know where to start really.

Could some of you post the order you make your website form? Say for example:

1. Photoshop
2. ImageReady
3. Dreamweaver

or

1. Photoshop
2. FrontPage

Whatever steps you use, please share em with me to give me an idea of how to go about this. I'm mainly interested in making my design in Photoshop.

Cheers,
Noted Fear

[kristoficus]

1. Brainstorm ideas - eg, colour, layout, content

2. Draw a first attempt on paper of what you want it to look like.

3. Use photoshop to put your paper design onto digital format (just do what u did on paper, but using photoshop in other words)

4. Import into image ready to slice the webpage up and sort the links to other pages out...Also use this to expoert to JPEG images and HTML.

5. Use Dreamweaver to open up the HTML produced from IR then use your HTML skills to add tables/content etc.

6. Finally, i use FTP Commander (Free from the website) to upload all pages and images to whichever server i may be using.

[Edited on 11-2-2004 by kristoficus]

[scottperezfox]

1. paper and pen
2. photoshop
3. photoshop
4. dreamweaver
5. dreamweaver
6. dreamweaver

this is to show how much time you should spend on each one, mostly testing the code and getting it working on all browsers.

[MinistryD]

1. Write out the sections that will be done.
2. Start sketching on paper and look out resources.
3. If sketching's running low look for inspiration, remember though just inspiration not imitation.
4. Photoshop and start on the layout.
5. Bring into your editor and start coding.
6. Test sections as they are progressing, better to catch a problem early than have to redo a huge section over again.
7. Test, Test, Test.
8. Release.
9. Breathe.
10. Start all over again...

[Noted Fear]

Thanks! That's just what I wanted. I'm fine up to the ImageReady bit basically.. dunnno how to make links and stuff.. sure it's easxy though.. I'll figure it out

Cheers!

[#41baby]

Hi,

One thing that I always forget to do and could become annoying is to name the HTML page (ie: this page is named THE CAFE -...).

If you forget to do the first one and you use the same layout with subtle differences (ie: you "save as"), every single page will have UNTITLED as a name. You will have to go back and redue everyone. Time consuming...

Also, get a friend to use your navigation. Like essays, papers, and presentations, you may know exactly what you mean or, in terms of web sites, where everything is on your site but the general public may not. It is always good to have an internet-experienced friend check it out.

Just some thoughts,

DN

[wisbin]

1- sketch on paper (layout, parts, templates of the different pages)

2- organisation of pages and links and elements or modules in Excel (keep things clear and organized, for later use also)

3. make a foundation of the framework in html, make an temporary page with dummy-images/text

4. spend time on coding and labeling modules (or library items for Dreamweaver). Commenting with named modules, so you can easily find them and re-use them.

5. making the images and save them also in psd format. You can use screenshots of the temppage with the dummy content to get all dimensions/slices right in PS. (i never slice or auto PS->html)

6. make a template for the pages to construct and re-use library items. If you have a copy of DW, you will save a lot of time because it updates every page automaticly when one of its library-items or template is edited. You will love it.

7. use CascadingStyleSheets (CSS) to make the page look good.

8. show it here and start all over again

good luck and remember, you can make a nice chickensandwich in a lot of different ways.

[Edited on 11-2-2004 by wisbin]

[Ashworks]

1- brain
2- experimentation in photoshop
3- final draft in photoshop
4- Fireworks
5- Dreamweaver
6- Double check before upload.

[Martin]

You might be better printing this out -r not as the case might be...

1. Get an idea of what it will look like on paper first before you start...

2. Get all the relevant material together from the client BEFORE you start any job...

3. Have an idea of what type/style/layout the site will take pureply from meeting the client in person or taliking on teh phone...

4. Make a folder on your hard disk named something like A - Sites as this'll stay near the top of many folders...

5. Make a separate folder for each client and include a .JPG, .GIF and also a .PSD folder with the client's folder - makes life a lot easier....

6. Make a New Site in Dreamweaver and configure - do NOT touch FrontPage unless you want a lot of hassle in construction etc...

7. From the material supplied by the client you can get an idea of how long it will take you, usually 5 - 7 days and stick to that deadline, even tell the client your deadline...

8. Scan ALL photos etc into the .JPG folder so that retrieval is easier once you do get started...

9. Make your site Search Engine friendly by discussing relelvant keywords for eahc of the pages so that the site will favour better in the Search Engines when you come to submit it after completion and the client is happy with it...

10. Keep an A4 Ring binder folder to store every single piece of data/communication between you and your client for future reference etc...

11. Get the external linking info completed if any - saves hassle once the job has begun...

12. make sure that you have webspace ready BEFORE you start - looks more professional to finsh a job on time and budget...

13. Know your limits then push them once the job is finished by jotting down what layout you could do in the future after the job is finished...

14. Remember that preparation is 9/10ths of the job...

15. Complete the index.html page first with all the necessary navigation, text, images and page title working and visible, then duplicate it as many time as you need fit...

16. Simply change the paes to include what text/images you want - don't forget the page titles...

17. When you upload remember to have checked before ahnd both spelling and gramatical bodies of text...

18. Before you even start you site I recommend a trip here to a thread I started recently - hopefully it'll help you on your way...

http://www.dreamweavercafe.com/cafe/....php?tid=15932


Good luck...


Martin.

[Warmodder]

inspiration

3d

photoshop

fireworks

dreamweaver

the cafe