Designing and developing a website takes time. Most of the times when we start the process, we think that it will probably take from a few hours to a few days. However, the reality is that many times the process takes months. Indeed, building a website may seem simple and quick, but just ask yourself how many websites exist on the internet and how many of them actually bring the desired result to a business. Whether it is selling products, selling services, or sometimes simply promoting the business with an informative nature, the websites that we all use every day took months of hard effort to be implemented.
The stages of research, design and content creation usually last at least 3–5 weeks. Implementation, that is, the next stage, could last another 3–5 weeks. Finally, the testing stage, where you will be able to find any errors in the content or functionality and correct them, another 1–2 weeks. If we add up all these weeks, we will realize that you need 10–12 weeks to create a website. Obviously, not everyone has that much time at their disposal to build a website. Below we will see some tips on saving time, as well as on how we can simplify the process of building a website.
Get inspired by templates or other websites
The phrase “reinventing the wheel” is a phrase that we often use in our daily lives, and we will use it once again in this post. To save a lot of time in the whole process, it is enough to take a look at other websites that have the aesthetics that we like. We can then keep parts that we like and fit our own vision and adapt them accordingly. There are many companies that create ready-made templates for WordPress, which can be easily customized to match the colors, fonts and overall style of your business. So, if you find features you like, you can add them to your own website. An important note about researching for either ready-made templates or other websites is the fact that our goal is not to copy, but to be inspired. This way we save time and energy, but we always try to maintain a unique feel to our own website.
Minimal designs
Minimal design is not only always in fashion, but it also saves you time. A minimal website not only conveys your message to your customers quickly, directly and clearly, but it also saves you valuable time. By reducing the complexity of the design and keeping it to the essentials, you can focus on clear and functional elements that significantly improve the user experience. Always keep in mind clean lines, enough white space and the placement of content always in a simple and clear layout. A modern website, to always stay relevant, does not need a lot of complicated designs and content that distracts and confuses the user. You can use your time to perfect the important parts of your website, such as clear and well-written content, and less on unnecessary details.
Don’t use excessive effects
Although animations contribute significantly to the aesthetics of a website, they often do more harm than good, especially when you dont have much time. Sure, they look nice and impressive, but they always use complex code that can burden your website and significantly affect loading times and subsequently your position in search engines. Instead, focus on getting the content and layout right. Simple, static transitions between pages and sections within one of them can give your website a beautiful look without the hassle of creating or adjusting an animation. In the meantime, prioritize speed and functionality so that your website is up and running as quickly as possible, without sacrificing aesthetics.
Use existing plugins or web apps
If you want to save time in the process of designing and developing a website, avoid creating a plugin from scratch for a specific function. Instead, choose a CMS, such as WordPress, and rely on existing plugins for complex functions, at least until you have enough time and knowledge to build something from scratch. Developing a plugin can sometimes take longer than building the website itself. So, look for alternatives and avoid the process, even if it sometimes seems interesting and attractive.
