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Web Development Guidelines

Web Development Process

Why this matters

We need to follow processes to fully understand our users' needs and requirements, ensuring that our sites are built and maintained to meet those needs effectively. Making our sites easy and simple to use while informing users on the variety of resources and services we offer requires effort and collaboration.

Workflows

Quick-Start to Proposing Web Changes
Simple Medium Complex

Examples:

  • Text edits
  • Updating links
  • Changing images
  • Basic styling (font, colors)

Examples:

  • Adding new pages or sections
  • Integrating simple forms
  • Embedding videos or media
  • Adjusting layout (columns, spacing)

Examples:

  • Proposing new major site areas
  • Third-party integrations
  • Complete visual redesigns
  • Conflicting browser styling

What to expect:

  • Quick turnaround (1-3 days)
  • Minimal developing effort
  • Updates may take 24 hours to show

What to expect:

  • Moderate turnaround (2-4 weeks)
  • Moderate developing and design involvement
  • Updates may take 24 hours to show

What to expect:

  • Longer turnaround (4+ weeks)
  • Significant developing and design effort
  • Updates may take 24 hours to show

Steps to follow:

  • Email the Library Web Developer & Designer
    • Clearly describe the edits
    • Provide exact content/files
    • Approve the quick preview

Steps to follow:

  • Email the Library Web Developer & Designer
    • Outline objectives clearly
    • Follow Web Development Process
    • Gather relevant content/assets
    • Review and approve prototypes

Steps to follow:

  • Email the Library Web Developer & Designer
    • Schedule planning meeting
    • Follow Web Development Process
    • Collaborate on regular reviews

Phases of the Web Development Process

All webpages, whether published or not yet drafted exist in a phase of the web development process. Knowing what phase a webpage is in will help determine whether small updates or larger projects are needed. Take a look at the Website Development Process below.

Web Development Timeline

Phases

  1. Planning:
    • Contact all relevant stakeholders
    • Set goals based on data
  2. Research: 
    • Select technology platform
    • Define target audience
    • Gather testing data
  3. Content Writing and Assembly
    • Create new content
    • Ready it for design layout
  4. Design
    • Create & review layout
    • Change layout if required upon feedback
  5. Coding
    • Build draft/test site
    • Add responsive design
    • Check for accessibility
  6. Testing, Review and Launch
    • Test new website
    • Review and approval
    • Final launch
  7. Maintenance
    • Fix bugs
    • Keep content up-to-date
    • Monitor analytics and accessibility
  8. Usability Testing
    • Collect analytics
    • Use heatmaps
    • Conduct testing
Cal State LA University Library
California State University, Los Angeles
5151 State University Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90032-8300
323-343-3988