[Domcsore]

Hey, now just to start I do know how to code, I am quite confident in my coding (without sounding too modest) and I have an idea for a site.

Now I have written small applications for people who need things done, however, I am wanting to start my first major project. Although I have the knowledge and ideas I just do not know where to start. Do I start with heirarchy? Basic design? Back end? Front end? and so forth.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers a lot,

Dom

[nublue]

Domcsore, on 30 January 2012 - 11:45 PM, said:

Do I start with heirarchy? Basic design? Back end? Front end? and so forth.

Back it up!

I would start with very simple things, and get them all down in writing. The first document should be a brief containing:

• - Audidence Profile - who is going to use the website. Spend some time thinking about this as it is very important and should inform all future decisions on the website.
  
  
• - Objectives of the Project - What do you want the website to do. What are the main reasons for this project? What are the key things you want your new site to achieve? How will you measure the success of your new site?
  
  
• - Website Content - What is it going to be? What form will it take, will it be written, video, images, micture of everything.
  
  
• - Style and Tone - This should be dictated from your audience profile.
  
  
• - Competitor List - Who else is doing this or something similar. How have they approached. What has worked for them and what has not. No point making the same mistakes.
  
  
• - Technology - Are there any specific technologies (DHTML, JavaScript, Real Audio) that you would like to use in the site? If so, how will they enhance the user experience?

After you have written this you can start on the specification for the porject which is the response to this brief. and then start to build up wireframes and sitemaps.

All good web projects are 75% planning and 25% implementation. making it should be easy if the plan is good.

I hope that helps and good luck with it

This post has been edited by nublue: 31 January 2012 - 11:19 AM

[Domcsore]

Thank you for such an informative response. I appreciate the help

Again, thank you.

Dom

[WBD]

Well I would consider writing a functional specification for you site, as described here, before you even decide what it will look and feel like. Then, yes... see advice above. I find it helpful to start with 'just who exactly are my users and how can I support their goals' - keep that in mind the whole time.