Website redesign is no child’s play. That is why you need a well-prepared plan, especially if you’re new to the business. It will not only give you some confidence, but will also make your work a lot easier. Even if you have hired a web developer or a web design firm, it’s better to prepare a plan thanks to which you’ll find it easier to explain how would you like your website to look like.
If you’re not sure what to start with, read our list of things to consider when you are preparing a website redesign plan.
1) What Is Your Current Design?
Before you embark on building your website redesign plan, come back to your old site. Try to write down its advantages and disadvantages. What is ok and what not? Which goals is it fulfilling and which not? What needs changing and what should be maintained? Check which parts of your site were the most popular among your customers. And finally recall why did you decide to redesign your website.
This part is crucial for creating a successful redesign plan. Understanding what is wrong with your current website means understanding what needs to be changed. If you want to prepare a precise and good redesign plan it is extremaly important to know whether the changes should be done on a large or on a small scale.
2) What Is Your Vision?
Vision is the heart and soul of a successful website. Define then the primary goal of your website redesign: is it to increase user engagement or improve SEO? Or maybe you want to boost your conversion rate? Or maybe upgrade the structure of the website? Your goals should determine the shape of the redesign plan.
3) How Much Time Do You Have?
Always take time into account. You must realize that if your schedule is tight you will not work miracles. That is why you need to identify your priorities. Check what has to be changed immediately and what can wait. Maybe you will be able to do everything if the redesign process goes smoothly. If not, you’ll have at least the basics.
4) What Is Your Budget?
You won’t go far without a vision, but look before you leap. You have to take money into account. They will determine what can be done, and what cannot. It is especially important if you plan to hire a design firm. Defining the amount of money you are able to pay for a redesign will make things a lot easier - both for you and the firm. If your budget is small check your site again and decide what is a must and what is extra.
5) How Would You Like Your Design?
If your website does not look good think how to improve it. Have you ever considered the role of colours in marketing? If you didn’t it’s high time. It’s good when the colour „fits” what is being sold because it has a positive impact on people’s perception of it. It is a well-established fact that colours have a significant impact on people’s emotions, so bear it in mind while redesigning your site. If your brand is already associated with particular colours, remember to include them in your website design. Think also about styles, fonts, navigation or features. Probably some of your preferences will have to be revised during the redesign process, but it’s good to have at least a basic idea of what you would like your website to look like.
6) Who Should Do All of This?
Well, that one is crucial. If you are not a tech geek don’t even think about redesigning your website alone. And even if you are, you should really think about it twice. Of course it would be great to prepare everything on your own, but if you want to have a state-of-the-art website (and you want, that’s why you decided to redesign it on the first place), it would be better to pay somebody who has some experience. You can hire a web developer or choose a web design firm. Since websites are primary marketing tools, it is essential to find a web design partner who understands marketing. So choose wisely and check whether the person or firm you want to hire has a necessary experience.
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Stefan Materzynski
