
Below is an example specifications document for creating a classic (non-e-commerce) website. It outlines key sections to adapt to your specific needs or project scope.
Specifications for the Creation of a Classic Website
1. Introduction & Project Overview
- Context / Background
- Briefly describe the organization or individual commissioning the website (industry, goals, audience).
- State why a new website is needed (brand presence, improved user experience, rebranding, etc.).
- Primary Goals
- Inform visitors about products or services.
- Establish or reinforce brand credibility.
- Provide an easy way for users to get in touch (contact forms, inquiries).
- Showcase past work or portfolio items (if applicable).
- Target Audience
- Define the demographics or user groups you want to reach (age, location, profession, interests).
- Indicate potential secondary audiences (e.g., partners, media, investors).
2. Site Structure & Navigation
- Suggested Main Pages
- Home: Introduction to the brand, a quick overview of services or highlights.
- About / Company Info: History, mission, team, or other relevant details.
- Services / What We Do: Detailed explanation of offerings.
- Portfolio / Case Studies (if relevant): Showcasing completed projects or successes.
- Blog / News (optional): Updates, articles, announcements.
- Contact: Contact form, location, social media links, phone number.
- FAQ / Help (optional): Address common user questions.
- Navigation Menu
- Ensure clarity and simplicity (e.g., a horizontal top bar or a prominent side menu).
- Include a search bar if the content volume is large or diverse.
- Cross-Page Elements
- Header & Footer: Logo, main navigation links, social icons, and legal links (Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, etc.).
- Call-to-Action Buttons: E.g., “Get a Quote,” “Contact Us,” and “Learn More” placed strategically.
3. Key Features & Functionalities
- Responsive Design
- The website should adapt to various screen sizes (mobile, tablet, desktop).
- Fast loading times, optimized images, and streamlined content layout.
- Content Management System (CMS)
- Decide on a platform (e.g., WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or a custom solution).
- Ensure editing is user-friendly so staff can update text, images, or blog posts without coding.
- Contact Forms
- Simple and secure forms to capture inquiries, feedback, or requests.
- Optional fields (e.g., file upload, preferred contact time) depending on project needs.
- Multilingual Support (optional)
- If your audience is international or multilingual, consider separate language versions.
- Use clear language selectors or automatic detection (if appropriate).
- Integrations (optional)
- Social media feeds or share buttons.
- Email marketing platform (e.g., Mailchimp signup forms).
- Third-party widgets (maps, booking calendars, event listings, etc.).
4. Design & User Experience (UX)
- Branding & Visual Identity
- Specify color palette, typography, logo usage, and any brand guidelines.
- Overall look: modern, classic, minimalist, bold, etc.
- Wireframes / Layout Prototypes
- Create basic wireframes for key pages (Home, About, Services, Contact).
- Validate these with stakeholders before finalizing the design approach.
- Accessibility
- Adhere to basic accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG guidelines): alt text for images, good contrast, and proper heading hierarchy.
- Calls-to-Action & Conversion Points
- Placement of CTA buttons or forms to encourage user engagement.
- Keep conversion steps minimal so users are not overwhelmed.
5. Technical Requirements
- Hosting & Domain
- Choose a reliable hosting plan (shared, VPS, or dedicated, depending on traffic).
- Ensure the domain name is registered or transferred in time for launch.
- Security
- Install SSL certificate (HTTPS).
- Keep CMS and plugins updated to avoid vulnerabilities.
- Consider server-level firewalls or security plugins if needed.
- Performance Optimization
- Use caching, image compression, and minification of CSS/JS for faster page loads.
- A CDN (Content Delivery Network) may be integrated if targeting users in multiple regions.
- Legal Compliance
- Include Privacy Policy and Terms of Use pages.
- Cookie consent banner if required by local regulations (GDPR, CCPA, etc.).
6. SEO & Content Strategy
- On-Page SEO
- Use clean, descriptive URLs (e.g., /services/web design).
- Proper meta titles, meta descriptions, heading tags, and alt text on images.
- Keyword research for relevant terms and optimized headings.
- Site Map & Indexing
- Generate an XML sitemap and submit it to search engines (Google, Bing).
- Ensure no accidental blocking in robots.txt or meta tags.
- Content Quality
- Clear, concise copywriting with a consistent tone of voice.
- Blog or news section for ongoing content updates if content marketing is part of the strategy.
- Analytics & Tracking
- Integrate Google Analytics or another analytics platform to track user behavior.
- Set up goals (contact form submissions, newsletter signups, etc.).
7. Project Timeline & Phases
- Discovery & Planning
- Gather requirements, discuss brand identity, and finalize site map.
- Create wireframes or initial design mockups.
- Design & Development
- Implement front-end design based on approved mockups.
- Integrate CMS and required functionalities (forms, plugins).
- Testing & QA
- Cross-browser testing, mobile responsiveness checks.
- Security checks, speed tests, and bug fixes.
- Content Population
- Add final text, images, and media.
- Client reviews and minor edits if necessary.
- Launch
- Move from staging to live environment.
- Finalize domain settings and DNS propagation.
- Ensure everything works seamlessly post-launch.
8. Budget & Costs
- Design & Development Fees
- Estimate the hours or a fixed design, coding, and QA package cost.
- Hosting & Domain
- Annual or monthly hosting plan fees.
- Domain registration or transfer costs.
- Optional Expenses
- Premium themes or plugins.
- Third-party services like email marketing tools or stock photography.
- Maintenance & Updates
- Ongoing retainer or hourly rates for updates, security patches, and content changes.
9. Maintenance & Future Updates
- Post-Launch Support
- Define if you’ll offer a maintenance contract or ad-hoc support.
- Outline how bug fixes or minor updates will be handled.
- Regular Updates
- Keep CMS, themes, and plugins updated to avoid security issues.
- Back up site data (daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the frequency of changes).
- Performance Monitoring
- Continual monitoring of uptime and response times.
- Plan for scaling if traffic grows significantly.
10. Conclusion
This specifications document serves as a roadmap for everyone involved—developers, designers, content writers, and the client—ensuring shared clarity and expectations before development begins. Establishing clear goals, functional requirements, design guidelines, and technical specifics sets the foundation for a professional, user-friendly classic website that effectively represents your brand and meets user needs.
Key Points to Remember:
- Keep the navigation intuitive and content concise.
- Implement responsive and secure design best practices.
- Prepare for ongoing maintenance and potential future feature expansions.
With a solid plan, your classic website can deliver an excellent user experience and be a strong cornerstone for your online presence.