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How to Ensure Your Next Website Redesign Project is a Smashing Success

admin : May 28, 2020

Websites

How to Ensure Your Next Website Redesign Project is a Smashing Success

Redesigning your website can be a huge undertaking. To help you out, we’ve put together our top tips to ensure your redesign exceeds your expectations, instead of underwhelming them. It takes 0.05 seconds for a user to make a first impression of your website… so it better be good.

Let’s go through your next redesign step-by-step so it’s sure to be a smashing success. Plus, get a preparation checklist for everything you should consider before getting started.

1. Make a website blueprint

You need a plan. Before you begin a website redesign, set goals. What exactly do you hope the new website will accomplish? Will it better align with your brand? Show higher performance? Appeal to certain target audiences? Make goals that are specific to your company’s key metrics, for example number of visits, new leads or total sales.

2. Redesign with data

Don’t just redesign because you “hate the old site.” Be specific. Use your Google Analytics to get data about where your website is failing. Use this data to focus your redesign goals.

3. Get input from all stakeholders

You’ll get in trouble if your stakeholders don’t feel like part of the process. If you’re redesigning your company site, loop in all departments. If you’re redesigning a team site, make sure the players, owners and even fans have a say.

4. Budget for scope creep

Scope creep happens when you keep adding new features on top of your defined contract. This costs you both time and money. Whenever you make a RFP (Request for Proposal), you should set a realistic budget and avoid being vague. Try to define the project as carefully as possible, but also include some budget margin for scope creep.

5. Use brand as filter for design and messaging

Whenever you need to make a decision about your redesign, use your brand to filter it. Your design, messaging, functionality – everything should tie to your brand and company goals.

6. Think user-first

Think about your ideal browsing experience: responsive design, mobile-friendly images, fast page speed, etc. Make sure you keep the user in mind. How your site looks matters little compared to how it works.

7. Sort out your tech

Don’t zone out when the tech discussions start. Make sure you understand what technical solutions you’ll be using in the long-run, including your CMS platform, marketing platform, third-party apps, WordPress features, databases, payment platforms, etc. Know your tech and research which platforms/apps are the best for your situation.

8. Iterate

Keep improving and adapting as the redesign continues. To stay on top of your redesign goals, you’ll need to guide your tech team and make sure your “must-have” features get the focus they deserve.

Redesigning a website isn’t easy, but it’s amazing to see the final product. Make sure you plan ahead and use our website redesign preparation checklist to keep the project in line. Good luck!

Still not sure how to get started? Contact the Onsharp team for a consultation.