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1. Choose your color and take your time! The front door is the threshold to your home. Everyone you invite over will inevitably see it, so you want it to be as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Too many people see a color once, think they like it, buy 2 gallons, start painting like maniacs, and almost immediately regret choosing that garish, pepto-colored paint. Decide on a couple of potential color candidates and bring home some paint swatches if they're available. Tape them up and see what feels like the best fit for your home.
2. Choose the finish. After you decide on the perfect color, you have to decide what kind of finish you want. Most paints come in matte finish, satin, semi gloss, and high gloss. The glosses are easier to clean, but are somewhat reflective. It just depends on your personal preference.
3. Prep the area you're painting. You want to make sure you wipe down your front door really well. Painting over dust and other material that might be stuck on there can leave unsightly bumps and ridges in the paint. And if you're going from dark to a lighter color, you may want to invest in some primer before you get started. If not, an extra coat of paint will usually be enough.
4. Tape everything you don't want painted, and be careful! Tape the frame, the glass if your front door has windows, and everything close that you don't want to get paint on. You can always take the door off the hinges, but then you have to consider drying times, etc., which may be more inefficient in the long run. Just be aware of the surfaces around you and any drips of paint that may occur. Paint is pretty hard to get off of floors (or anywhere it's not intended to be!).
The drying time will depend on the brand of paint and the finish that you choose, but just to be safe I would suggest not touching the door for at least 24 hours. You don't want all that hard work to go to waste!
So, what color will you be painting your front door this summer?