At Butterfly, we’ve spent years working with Australian businesses and purpose-driven organisations to create platforms that look great, work seamlessly, and meet the highest standards. We know the unique challenges of the local market, and we’re here to show you how to navigate them, step by step.
Ready to bring your idea to life? Let’s dive in and break it down, one practical step at a time.
Steps to build a digital platform
Step 1: Define Your Vision
Every great platform starts with a clear vision. Before jumping into design or development, take a step back and ask yourself:
- What problem is this platform solving?
- Who will benefit the most—my customers, my team, or both?
- How will this platform create value for my business?
Start with Your Goals
A digital platform isn’t just about solving customer problems—it can also transform your internal processes. For example:
- Are there repetitive tasks or workflows that could be automated to save time and reduce costs?
- Could better data management tools help your team make smarter decisions?
By identifying your goals upfront, you’ll be better equipped to prioritise features and allocate resources effectively.
Think About Your Audience(s)
If your platform is customer-facing, it should be designed to meet their needs, such as:
- Offering more convenient access to your services.
- Simplifying complex tasks with intuitive tools.
If it’s for internal use, focus on streamlining operations, such as:
- Automating routine processes to improve productivity.
- Providing centralised data access for better collaboration across teams.
Define Your Unique Value Proposition
What makes your platform different from others? Whether it’s seamless usability, innovative features, or a specific industry focus, your value proposition should guide every decision you make during development.
Use Butterfly’s guide on digital platform strategy to sharpen your vision before diving into execution.
Step 2: Build the Right Team
Building a digital platform is a team effort and assembling the right people can make or break your project. Whether you’re using an in-house team, outsourcing, or a mix of both, it’s essential to have the right expertise in place.
Key Roles You’ll Need
- Project Manager: To keep the project on track, manage deadlines, and serve as the main point of contact for all stakeholders.
- Developers: Skilled in your chosen tech stack (e.g., Python/Django, WordPress) to build a secure and scalable platform.
- UX/UI Designers: To create a user-friendly design that meets accessibility standards like WCAG.
- QA Testers: To ensure your platform is bug-free and functions seamlessly before launch.
How to Choose the Right Development Partner
If you’re outsourcing, here’s a checklist to evaluate potential vendors:
- Experience: Do they have a track record of building similar platforms? Ask for case studies or examples.
- Compliance Expertise: Can they deliver a platform that meets standards like WCAG, ISO 27001, or local data protection regulations?
- Communication Style: Are they responsive and clear in their communication? Miscommunication can lead to costly delays.
- Post-Launch Support: Do they offer ongoing maintenance, updates, and support after the platform goes live?
Questions to Ask Potential Partners
- What is your experience in building platforms for businesses like mine?
- How do you ensure the platform is scalable for future growth?
- Can you integrate the platform with my existing tools or systems?
- What is your approach to accessibility and compliance?
Butterfly’s Expertise
At Butterfly, we specialise in working with business owners and organisations who want platforms that balance great design with robust functionality. Our team understands how to simplify the complexities of platform development, leaving you free to focus on your business goals.
Step 3: Choose the Right Technology
Choosing the right technology stack is one of the most critical decisions you’ll make when building a digital platform. Your choices here will determine how scalable, secure, and user-friendly your platform will be—not just now, but years down the line.
Key Considerations for Your Tech Stack
- Scalability: Can the technology grow with your business? If you expect rapid growth, cloud-based solutions and frameworks like Python/Django and PHP/Laravel or Open Source CMS options (e.g., WordPress) can offer flexibility.
- Compliance: In Australia, WCAG compliance and ISO 27001 standards are non-negotiable for many industries. These ensure your platform is accessible and secure.
- Integration Capabilities: Can it work seamlessly with your existing tools, such as CRMs, payment systems, or analytics platforms? The right tech stack should enhance your operations, not complicate them.
- Focus on Usability and Maintenance While it’s tempting to opt for the latest and most complex technologies, prioritising ease of use is key. This is especially important for platforms that will be updated or managed by your in-house team. It also ensures that you won’t require excessive downtime or costly interventions.
- Open Source vs Proprietary Solutions Open-source options like WordPress or Wagtail (Python/Django) are ideal for businesses seeking flexibility and lower costs. Proprietary platforms, while offering unique features, may lock you into specific vendors and limit future adaptability.
Step 4: Start Small with an MVP
When building a digital platform, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of adding every feature you can imagine. But starting with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a smarter, more efficient approach.
An MVP is the simplest version of your platform that delivers value. It helps you:
- Save time and money by avoiding unnecessary development.
- Test your assumptions in the real world.
- Get your platform to market faster, beating competitors.
An MVP allows you to launch with just the core features needed to solve your primary problem, test your idea, and gather real user feedback before scaling up.
How to Identify Core Features
- Customer-Facing Platforms: Focus on features that solve the biggest pain points for your users. For example, a booking system for service-based businesses or a dashboard for user account management.
- Internal Platforms: Prioritize tools that save your team the most time or eliminate bottlenecks, like automated workflows or a central data hub.
Launching your MVP isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of a learning process. Use analytics and user feedback to refine and expand your platform over time, ensuring each update adds meaningful value.
Step 5: Prioritize User Experience (UX)
A platform with clunky navigation, confusing layouts, or inaccessible features will frustrate users and drive them away—whether they’re customers or your team. Prioritizing User Experience (UX) ensures your platform is intuitive, enjoyable, and inclusive for all.
Why UX Is Critical
- Customer Platforms: Better UX means higher user engagement, more conversions, and stronger loyalty.
- Internal Platforms: For internal tools, user-friendly interfaces save time and reduce the need for training.
Practical UX Tips for Digital Platforms
- Understand Your Users:
Create user personas to identify their needs, preferences, and pain points. For customer-facing platforms, think about their goals when visiting your site. For internal tools, consider the daily tasks your team performs. - Simplify Navigation:
Users should be able to find what they need quickly. This means:- Clear, consistent menus.
- Logical content grouping.
- Search functionality for complex platforms.
- Accessibility as a Standard:
Ensure your platform complies with WCAG guidelines. Features like text-to-speech compatibility, high-contrast designs, and easy keyboard navigation make your platform usable for everyone. - Test Early and Often:
Conduct usability tests during the development process. Real feedback from users will reveal issues you might not have anticipated.
Butterfly’s Approach Our designs are user-centered from day one. We focus on creating platforms that are not just functional but intuitive and accessible, aligning with global standards and your business goals.
Step 6: Ensure Scalability from Day One
Your digital platform needs to be built for the future, not just the present. Whether your user base grows, your features expand, or your data requirements increase, a scalable platform ensures you’re ready for whatever comes next.
What Does Scalability Mean? Scalability is about your platform’s ability to handle increased demand without compromising performance. A scalable platform grows with your business, saving you from costly overhauls down the line.
Key Elements of a Scalable Platform
- Flexible Architecture:
Choose a modular design that allows you to add, remove, or update features without affecting the entire system. Frameworks like Python/Django or cloud-based platforms are excellent for this. - Cloud-Based Solutions:
Cloud infrastructure enables you to scale storage and processing power as needed. Services like AWS or Azure can dynamically adjust to your platform’s growth. - Database Design:
Use databases optimized for scalability, such as PostgreSQL or MongoDB. These handle large data volumes efficiently and are adaptable as your needs evolve. - Load Testing:
Simulate high-traffic scenarios to ensure your platform performs well under pressure. Early testing identifies bottlenecks and prevents future crashes.
Common Scalability Pitfalls to Avoid
- Overloading your platform with unnecessary features at launch.
- Ignoring future data storage needs.
- Underestimating the importance of ongoing monitoring and optimisation.
Step 7: Plan for Post-Launch Success
Building and launching your digital platform is only the beginning. For long-term success, you’ll need a solid plan for ongoing maintenance, updates, and optimisation. Platforms that aren’t properly supported after launch often face issues like outdated features, security vulnerabilities, or declining user engagement.
Key Post-Launch Priorities
Regular Maintenance and Updates
- Keep your platform running smoothly by addressing bugs, updating software, and patching security vulnerabilities.
- Schedule updates to ensure minimal disruption to users.
Monitor Performance
- Use analytics tools like Google Analytics, Hotjar, or in-built dashboards to track how users interact with your platform.
- Identify and address areas where users are dropping off or encountering issues.
User Feedback Loops
- Encourage users to provide feedback through surveys or built-in feedback tools.
- Use this feedback to guide feature updates and improvements.
Plan for Scalability
- As your platform grows, revisit scalability measures to ensure performance remains optimal.
- Test your platform regularly under higher traffic conditions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring post-launch updates: A “set it and forget it” approach can quickly render a platform obsolete.
- Overcomplicating your maintenance processes: Make sure updates are straightforward and well-planned.
Butterfly’s Post-Launch Support
We partner with clients for the long term, offering regular maintenance, analytics integration, and feature enhancements to keep their platforms thriving. Whether it’s optimizing performance or rolling out new features, our team ensures your platform remains future-ready.
Summing it up
Building a digital platform is an exciting journey that, with the right approach, can transform your business and unlock new opportunities.
From defining your vision and assembling the right team to choosing scalable technology and planning for post-launch success, each step is critical to creating a platform that works for you—whether it’s solving customer problems, streamlining internal processes, or both.
The key takeaway? Start small, stay focused, and prioritise adaptability. By taking a thoughtful, step-by-step approach, you’ll set your platform up for long-term success.
At Butterfly, we’ve worked with Australian business owners and organisations for years to create platforms that not only look great but deliver measurable results. Whether you’re just starting or need support scaling your existing platform, we’re here to help.
Ready to get started? Let’s bring your vision to life. Contact Butterfly today for a consultation and take the first step toward your digital future.
