How to Plan a Website: Web Design Process for Beginners

📚 Understanding the Web Design Process

This lesson outlines the essential steps in planning a website, focusing on the web design process for beginners. It aims to provide a structured approach to website creation.

🎯 Learning Objectives

• 🎯 Define the purpose and goals of a website.
• 🤝 Identify the target audience for a website.
• 🗺️ Create a sitemap outlining the website's structure.
• 🎨 Develop wireframes for key pages.
• ✍️ Plan the content strategy for the website.
• ✨ Choose a suitable design and branding.
• 🧪 Understand the basics of SEO and user experience (UX).

📝 Materials

• 💻 Computer with internet access
• 📝 Paper and pen or digital note-taking tool
• 🌐 Website planning tools (e.g., Miro, Google Docs)

🔥 Warm-up (5 minutes)

Brainstorming:

• 💭 Ask students to think of their favorite websites and why they like them.
• 🗣️ Discuss what makes a website user-friendly and effective.

👨‍🏫 Main Instruction

1. 🎯 Defining Purpose and Goals

   • 🎯 Determine the primary objective of the website (e.g., selling products, providing information).
   • 📈 Set measurable goals (e.g., increase sales by 20%, gain 1000 subscribers).

2. 🤝 Identifying Target Audience

   • 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Define the demographics, interests, and needs of the target audience.
   • ❓ Conduct market research to understand audience preferences.

3. 🗺️ Creating a Sitemap

   • 🧭 Plan the hierarchical structure of the website.
   • 🔗 Identify all the main pages and subpages.
   • ✍️ Use a sitemap tool to visualize the structure.

4. 🎨 Developing Wireframes

   • 🧱 Create basic layouts for key pages (homepage, product page, contact page).
   • ✏️ Focus on functionality and placement of elements.
   • 💻 Use wireframing tools (e.g., Balsamiq, Figma) or paper sketches.

5. ✍️ Planning Content Strategy

   • 📝 Determine the type of content needed (text, images, videos).
   • 🔑 Plan keyword research for SEO.
   • 📅 Create a content calendar for scheduling and publishing.

6. ✨ Choosing Design and Branding

   • 🎨 Select a color scheme, typography, and visual elements that align with the brand.
   • 🖼️ Ensure the design is consistent and user-friendly.
   • 📱 Consider responsive design for different devices.

7. 🧪 Understanding SEO and UX Basics

   • 🔍 Implement basic SEO techniques (keyword optimization, meta descriptions).
   • 💡 Focus on creating a positive user experience (easy navigation, fast loading times).

✅ Assessment

• ❓ Ask students to create a sitemap and wireframe for a sample website.
• 🗣️ Discuss the importance of each step in the web design process.