What do you do if your web designs are not functioning properly before launching them?
Discovering that your web design isn't functioning as expected can be a daunting hurdle. Yet, it's a critical moment to take a step back and methodically address the issues at hand. Your website is the digital face of your business or project, and ensuring that it operates flawlessly is paramount. Before you panic, remember that problem-solving is an integral part of web design. You're not alone in this challenge, and there are systematic approaches you can take to resolve the issues before your website goes live.
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Emmanuel MartinFull Stack Engineer • Creative Designer • DevOps • System Architect
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Volodymyr PeretiatkoFull Stack Developer (JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Redux, Next, Node, Express, MongoDB)
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Isabel Cucalon ArbellaDigital Marketing Manager | Digital Strategy| E-commerce | Digital transformation | #MIBer @isdi | Ex @amazon
When your website isn't working correctly, the first step is to debug the code. This involves systematically checking your HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or other programming languages used for errors. Tools like the browser's developer console can help you identify issues. Look for syntax errors, broken links, or misconfigured servers. If you're using a content management system (CMS), ensure all plugins or themes are up to date and compatible. Sometimes, the problem is a simple typo or an outdated script that needs refreshing.
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Conduct thorough testing across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes to pinpoint inconsistencies. Debug code errors using browser developer tools or IDEs, addressing issues related to HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Verify server configurations and ensure compatibility with hosting environments. Check for broken links, missing assets, or server side errors that may affect functionality. Collaborate with developers or QA testers to perform comprehensive testing and validation.
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There are a number of other possible reasons why your website may not be working correctly: Server problems: Check the status of your server. Incorrect server configuration or hosting problems can lead to problems. Network Issues: Make sure your website is accessible over the network. Incorrect network settings or problems with the Internet connection may cause problems accessing your site. Conflicts between scripts or styles: Sometimes using multiple scripts or styles on a page can cause conflicts, resulting in incorrect operation. Database issues: If your website uses a database, check its integrity and correct settings. Incorrect database queries or database corruption can cause errors.
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Before launching your web designs, it's crucial to ensure they function properly. Start by thoroughly debugging the code, checking for syntax errors, broken links, and outdated scripts. Conduct comprehensive testing across different browsers, devices, and screen sizes to identify inconsistencies and ensure responsiveness. Utilize developer tools and IDEs to debug code errors and verify server configurations for compatibility with hosting environments. Collaborate with developers or QA testers to perform thorough testing and validation. By following these steps, you can address any issues and ensure your website is ready for a successful launch.
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Identify the Issues: Carefully review your designs to identify any specific issues or bugs. Debugging: Use developer tools and testing environments to debug and fix any coding errors or issues with your designs. Testing: Conduct thorough testing on different devices and browsers to ensure compatibility and functionality. Seek Feedback: Get feedback from colleagues or peers in the industry to identify any issues you may have missed. Adjustments: Make necessary adjustments and fixes based on the feedback and testing results. Re-test: Test your designs again to ensure that the issues have been resolved and that everything is functioning properly. Launch: Once you are confident that your designs are functioning properly.
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To debug the codes, first of all, I go to the errors registered in the web server. I will check whether an error was registered during execution or not. If there is, I will go to the problem and fix it. The next step is errors that occur during the execution of php commands or any other language. I will check and fix them. If a part of the site is not working properly, I will check the execution of tags and scripts with browser tools.
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Consider documenting each changes to your web design, be it codes added or removed, links,what have you. Try running compatibility test when changes are made so that errors can be detected early. Some times the website has issues when changes have been and those changes aren't compatible with the already existing design. When that happens it would be easier to know what changes had resulted in the errors because it was documented.
Ensuring that your code adheres to web standards is crucial for cross-browser compatibility and performance. Use validators like the W3C Markup Validation Service to check your HTML and CSS. These tools will highlight any non-compliance with web standards, which could be causing your design to malfunction. Code validation can often uncover hidden issues that aren't immediately apparent but can lead to bigger problems down the line.
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If my web designs are not functioning properly before launching them, I would first validate the code to ensure adherence to web standards. Using validators like the W3C Markup Validation Service, I would check the HTML and CSS code for any non-compliance. These tools can highlight errors that might be causing the malfunction and uncover hidden issues that could escalate later. By validating the code, I aim to achieve cross-browser compatibility and optimize performance for a successful launch.
Responsive design is non-negotiable in today's multi-device world. Test your web design on various devices and screen sizes to ensure it looks and functions well across all platforms. Use emulators and real devices to check for layout breaks, unresponsive elements, and touch interface issues. Sometimes what works on a desktop may not translate well to a mobile device, so catching these issues early is essential for a successful launch.
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I would test the web design across various devices and screen sizes to ensure it looks and functions seamlessly across all platforms. Employing emulators and real devices, I would check for layout breaks, unresponsive elements, and any touch interface issues. It's important to note that what may work well on a desktop might not translate effectively to a mobile device, so early detection of such issues is vital for a successful launch.
A functioning website is more than just error-free code; it's about the overall user experience (UX). Navigate your site as if you're a first-time visitor and pay attention to the flow, ease of use, and intuitiveness of the design. Ask others to test it as well and provide feedback. Issues with navigation, content readability, or interaction can often be overlooked when you're focused on technical aspects.
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From my opinion, a successful website transcends flawless code; it's about delivering an exceptional user experience (UX). Take on the role of a first-time visitor and explore your site, assessing its flow, usability, and design intuitiveness. Take feedback from others to uncover any overlooked issues and try to make A/B tastings and surveys. Navigation hurdles, content legibility, or interaction glitches can evade notice when attention is solely on technical aspects. Prioritize always user-centric design ensures visitors can effortlessly engage with your site, fostering satisfaction and retention. Remember, a seamless UX is paramount for driving conversions and cultivating long-term relationships with your audience.
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I would navigate the site as if I were a first-time visitor, focusing on the flow, ease of use, and intuitiveness of the design. Seeking feedback from others who can test the site and provide insights is also valuable. Often, issues related to navigation, content readability, or interaction can be overlooked when solely focusing on technical aspects. By prioritizing user experience assessment, I can identify and address any usability issues before launching the website.
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From my professional experience, prioritizing user experience (UX) evaluation is crucial when facing functionality issues in web designs before launch. I scrutinized sites from a first-time visitor's perspective, noting flow, ease of use, and design intuitiveness. Soliciting feedback from others helps uncover navigation, readability, or interaction issues often overshadowed by technical considerations.
Website performance is a key factor in user retention. Slow load times can be a symptom of underlying design problems. Optimize images, minify CSS and JavaScript files, and leverage caching to improve speed. Tools like Google PageSpeed Insights can provide recommendations to enhance your site's performance. Remember, users expect fast and smooth online experiences, so don't let a sluggish website be your downfall.
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First, take a look at Google PSI as this is what Google uses as a part of its ranking algorithm. However, some of Google's reports are hard to understand. I also recommend using GTMetrix as it will give you a long list of every asset it feels could be optimized.
Finally, understand that web design is an ongoing process. Even after addressing the immediate issues, plan for regular maintenance and updates. Set up a schedule to review the site's performance, update content, and ensure that all components are functioning as intended. Having a maintenance plan in place will help prevent future problems and keep your website running smoothly post-launch.
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Chris LaFay
Web design & development | EO Atlanta Board | B Corp Board | CEO | Enjoys 🎸⚾☕🥁🧱
(edited)I view website update/care more as a collaboration than maintenance. When your website is working in conjunction with sales and marketing efforts, updates to the site should impact your ability to sell (whether those are services or products). Sure, updating plugins and systems is key, however, a bulk of the time spent on a website should be adding new features that all potential visitors new ways to interact with your brand.
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