The Importance Of Terms Of Reference For Developing A Web Portal

The Importance Of Terms Of Reference For Developing A Web Portal
The Importance Of Terms Of Reference For Developing A Web Portal

The efficiency, transparency, and successful implementation of a web portal development project largely depends on preparation, in particular on the availability and quality of terms of reference.

Terms of reference are a fundamental element of successful web development, ensuring clarity, understanding, and structure in the process.

If you are thinking about the importance of technical specifications for developing a web resource and are looking for a reliable web portal development company, this article is for you. Just keep reading!

First, What Are Terms of Reference?

Terms of reference for the development of a web portal is a certain form of document without strict design rules, which outlines the fundamental visual and operational aspects of the future project. Among them it is necessary to highlight those that are aimed at:

  • Technology
  • Functional
  • Content

The step-by-step detailing of the terms of reference, and its clear and accurate description determines how satisfied the customer will be with the final result. It will also determine how the contractor will fulfill his obligations accurately and on time. Plus, this is an excellent moment of sustainable reputation growth.

Why Do You Need Terms of Reference, And Is It Possible to Do Without It?

This question quite often arises both from clients who are applying for such a service for the first time, and from certain professionals who are just starting to work in this field.

The answer to it, however, should be presented from two positions – directly from the customer and the contractor. It is advisable to do the technical specifications for the first group from the following positions:

  • Increasing the chances of implementing all the desired functions in the project
  • The terms of reference allow you to draw up the most detailed estimate in advance.
  • It details what the site or web portal will look like, and what functional and content features it will provide.
  • This optimizes the process of clarifying basic questions and those that arise during work.
  • The terms of reference structure wishes and requirements in one document to simplify their further implementation.

At the same time, the technical specification performs another important function – it allows you to see how the preliminary stages have been completed and, if necessary, make changes and additions directly to them.

For the performer, such a document opens up the following advantages:

  • A clear, detailed, and step-by-step understanding of the final goal and the paths that arise at the stage of its implementation.
  •  Accelerating project development due to clearly defined stages wishes and reducing the time for making adjustments when necessary and justified.

It should also be noted that terms of reference are insurance against the implementation of previously uncoordinated tasks. Terms of reference allow you to potentially negate the possibility of claims.

For example, when evaluating a finished product, the client realizes that he does not like the selected control system, and, therefore, he may want to redo it, but this is an extremely complex process; in fact, the project must be done from scratch again.

To prevent such situations from arising, technical specifications are drawn up. It is also worth understanding that the terms of reference and the contract are two different documents. If the first is a step-by-step plan, clarification of all the details, then the contract specifies the terms, cost, and force majeure circumstances, and states the rights and obligations of each party.

How to Correctly Draw Up Technical Specifications for Website Development

So that the customer can voice his wishes and clarify details, at the initial stage of cooperation, they are, as a rule, asked to fill out a brief for website development.

This is a document where the client answers important questions regarding the future resource and describes how he sees it. Next, specialists study, and evaluate how realistic the tasks are, what stages are needed to achieve the goal, and directly form the technical specifications, which are also clarified with the client.

Traditionally, the brief specifies the following aspects:

  • Type of order: landing page, a small company website of up to 8-10 pages, a large-scale online hypermarket, a corporate website, a web portal, or a website where a user’s personal account is provided.
  • Is it necessary to additionally develop the application, and if so, for gadgets on which operating systems?
  • It is planned to create a completely new product, or it is necessary to change or modernize an old resource, making it more comfortable.
  • Often the “Other” column is left in the brief, and the customer is asked to leave a comment on what he would like to see in the project.
  • Additionally, you can include references in the brief – links to sites that attract attention, for example, by interface, functionality, and design.

Particular attention is paid to structure. In it, the customer is asked to indicate which type, in his opinion, is most suitable. For example:

  • Home.
  • About Us.
  • Delivery/payment.
  • Product category.

Do not forget in the process of filling out the brief by the customer and, consequently, in the further preparation of the technical specifications, that the target audience, its needs, behavior, requests, and priorities are taken into account when developing a web resource.

This allows you to clearly think through the relevant structure, design, and additional functionality in advance.

Main Mistakes When Preparing Terms of Reference

Errors when creating technical specifications significantly deteriorate its quality and can negatively affect the result obtained. Let’s look at the most common mistakes below.

  1. There is no indication of target actions (for example, calling an operator, direct purchase, booking), this complicates analytics.
  2. Lack of information about the type of site. The vision of whether it is a store or a web portal should already be at the start of drawing up the technical specifications. At the same time, the customer can clarify that he likes this or that site, but full copying will not lead to anything good.
  3. Lack of detailed, specific, prescribed scenarios that are formed based on the target audience and its needs. It is important not figuratively, but to accurately imagine who your clients are and with what desire or need they come to your resource.
  4. The nuances regarding counters for web analytics are not specified. There must be at least Google.
  5. There are no specific clarifications on the design: colors, fonts, placement of blocks, but only general nuances are dictated: “beautiful”, “sales”, “modern”, and “effective”.

Final Note

In terms of reference, it is important to implement all the aspects that you want to bring to life, starting from the type of site, continuing with the structure, usability, and design, and ending with content that is relevant thematically and page optimization.

If you are determined to create a high-quality technical specification for your future web portal development project, we recommend contacting Digiteum. This is a reliable web portal development company with which you can satisfy all your desires for the project.