What is Waterfall Method?
Generally, there are many approaches that a professional web development company may use to organize the working process. The so-called waterfall approach is the most easily plannable and straightforward for both the customer and the company. With this approach, the website creation undergoes several phases. So, let’s us look at all of them from the customer’s perspective: 1.Preparing RFP (Request for proposal). It is crucial to formulate your business goals as clearly as possible, so your web design company can calculate the timeframe and cost of the project. Do not focus on the implementation! Instead, we recommend you to focus on your metrics. Explain goals that your company aims to achieve with the site, your company values, and business vision. Providing insufficient company information or blurry instructions will make the end product just as unconvincing. Remember, a properly written RFP is the roadmap for your future website. 2.Goal setting. At this stage, you should settle the timeframe and budget of the project with your PM. During this personal communication, ask your web design agency how they are planning to create your website and try to see if they are able to treat this project from the point of view of your company. 3.Creating a Prototype. It is the rough draft of your site. Professional web development companies use prototypes so that all developers and the customer is able to catch the same tune. Don’t forget that the prototype is just a basic technical model and it does not resemble the final look of the site. However, it can show you the proposed site structure (linking, arrangement of elements, and pages hierarchy). 4.Approval of website concept. Now it is the time to breathe life into your business website. The design concept is a general visual look that resembles your market behavior, target audience preferences, corporate colors, and embodies your corporate strengths. It should be derived from your corporate goals formulated at the very beginning. In order to prevent dealing with too many design iterations, ensure to set all parameters correctly. 5.Content and materials. Content is the main course for your site visitors. That is why the process of content creation should go parallel to the website development process. 6.Approval of the final version. The purpose of the waterfall approach is that the website’s final version “flows out” of the previously approved phases. If you want it to match your expectations, you should be involved in the process along the way. Related readings on Loonar Studios