Before we begin development on a WordPress or Shopify website, our project teams create a Functional Spec to align on the intended functions and features of the website as well as our approach to customizing the content management system / e-commerce platform.

We use our Functional Specs Template to hash out the following key areas:

• Hosting, Domain, Email
• Browser Support
• Website Performance
• Content Management System (CMS)
• Content Migration, Redirects, & Content Population
• Content Types
• Taxonomies
• Third-party applications & Integrations
• Universal Elements
• Features
• Modules
• Templates

The project manager will bring together the lead developer and the lead designer to review final designs and clarify the user experience for all features and effects. They will also review the website's behavior on mobile and tablet to ensure that any special device-specific behaviors are accounted for.

Our process internally is such that our designers and developers check in frequently with each other throughout the UX & design process. However, the Functional Specs Template is a good checkpoint for many small decisions to be revisited and for everyone to get on the same page one more time before development gets underway. This has allowed us to avoid any misunderstandings or mistakes caused by missing small details.

Our Functional Specs Template comes with three files:

• Functional Specs Template (WordPress) in Word document (.docx)
• Functional Specs Template (Shopify) in Word document (.docx)
• Functional Specs Template WP SAMPLE in Word document (.docx), adapted from a real client project that was successfully launched