How to Properly Create a Technical Specification for a Website

A technical specification (TS) is the foundation of any successful website development project. It helps structure your ideas, set clear goals, and define expectations for both you and the developers. Without a clear TS, a project can face budget overruns, delays, and dissatisfaction with the results. This article will guide you on how to properly create a TS to avoid these issues.

 

Key Elements of a TS

General Project Description
  1. Website Goals:
    • What do you want to achieve with the website? For example, increasing sales, attracting customers, or creating an informational portal.
  2. Target Audience:
    • Describe who will use the website: age, interests, professional background.
  3. Examples of Similar Websites:
    • Provide links to websites you like and explain what you like about them (design, functionality, structure).
Functional Requirements
  1. Basic Functionality:
    • Core pages (homepage, about us, contact, product or service catalog).
    • Menus, contact forms, news blocks.
  2. Specific Functionality:
    • Personal accounts, CRM or accounting integration, online payment systems, filters, and catalog search.
  3. Mobile Version:
    • Responsiveness for various devices and screens.
Design and UX
  1. Design:
    • Unique design or a ready-made template? Specify your style, color, and element preferences.
  2. User Experience (UX):
    • Navigation features, interactive elements, minimizing clicks to achieve desired actions.
Technical Details
  1. Platform:
    • Indicate the platform for development (e.g., Drupal, WordPress).
  2. Hosting:
    • Requirements for performance, security, and backups.
  3. SEO and Analytics:
    • Need for basic optimization and tools like Google Analytics.

 

How to Describe Your Expectations

Priorities

Specify which features are priorities (“must-have”) and which can be implemented later (“nice-to-have”). This helps the developer allocate resources effectively.

Content Examples
  1. What sections should the website have (e.g., “About Us,” “Product Catalog,” “Contact Us”)?
  2. Who will provide the texts and images for the website? If it’s the developer’s task, clarify this.
Budget and Deadlines
  1. Budget:
    • Provide an approximate amount you are ready to invest in development.
  2. Deadlines:
    • State how much time you allocate for the project and how flexible the deadlines are.

 

Common Mistakes

  1. Unclear Descriptions:
    • Instead of saying, “I want a modern website,” use specific requirements like: “I need a minimalist design in light tones with an emphasis on photography.”
  2. Lack of Testing Phase:
    • Always allocate time and budget for testing the website before launch.
  3. Unrealistic Deadlines:
    • Rushing can compromise the quality of work.

 

How to Work with a Developer

Communication
  1. Ensure that the developer provides regular progress reports.
  2. Provide prompt feedback on interim results.
Documentation
  1. Record all important decisions and changes in one document.
  2. Use specialized tools for this, such as Google Docs or project management systems (Trello, Jira).
Work Phases
  1. Prototyping:
    • Creating the website structure and approving key pages.
  2. Design:
    • Developing the website’s visual appearance.
  3. Development:
    • Implementing all features, integrations, and device adaptation.
  4. Testing and Launch:
    • Identifying and fixing errors, final adjustments.

 

Conclusion

A well-prepared technical specification is the key to successfully implementing your project. It saves time, money, and helps avoid misunderstandings between you and the developer. If you need assistance in creating a TS, contact professionals who can help clarify your needs and draft the document.

Ready to start development? Contact us, and we’ll help bring your project to life!

See also