The most important part of
the web redesign process is
the first step, preparation
and planning. Reviewing
these 11 tips will help you
better communicate your
goals and ideas to a web
design firm to ensure a
successful web site redesign
project.
1.
Develop your site goals and
measures of success
After your site is
redesigned, how will you
measure the success of your
new web site? For example,
it could be by the number of
new leads generated through
an online contact form, or
the amount of applicants
that apply through your
career section.
2.
Evaluate your current site
Taking a look at your
current site, what specific
areas do you feel are
successful? What
shortcomings exist, and what
3 things would you change on
the site today if you could?
A web site redesign does not
necessarily have to start
completely from scratch, it
can build on the successes
of your existing site.
3.
Reevaluate your target
market
Based on your current site,
do you have a pretty good
idea who is using your site?
Are they customers looking
for information about your
company, or are they
potential employees looking
to find the latest job
postings? Accurately
defining each target market
is a huge step in making
sure your redesigned site
will be a success.
4.
Generate feedback from
current customers
If you have been collecting
feedback on your site from
customers, evaluate their
responses. Also, if you have
specific customers or
clients whom you have heard
from in the past, now is the
time to reach out and ask
them what they would like to
see added or changed from
your current site.
5.
Evaluate your competition
To see how your site
compares with your
competition, evaluate 5
competitor’s web sites and
list features that you like,
and features that you think
you could improve upon.
6.
Make a list of sites you
like /dislike
To help the web design firm
put together a creative
design that accurately meets
your business goals, pick
out 5 web sites that you
like and a few that you
dislike, providing reasons
for both. Please note that
they do not all have to be
within your industry.
7.
Put together a list of new
categories/sections
Based on your evaluation of
your competition and
feedback from current site
users, put together a “wish
list” of additional content
and categories you would
like to add to the new site.
While it may not be
practical due to time and
cost constraints to
implement all of these
changes with the first site
redesign, they may be added
on a phased approach over
the next 6 months to a year.
8.
Identify areas that will be
updated on a regular basis
As you know from your
current site, an ongoing
maintenance plan should be
established with your web
design firm to keep your
site up to date. Possible
sections that need regular
maintenance include company
news, updated service
offerings as well as ongoing
career opportunities.
9.
Put together a content plan
Will your new site use
existing content from the
current site? If you are
adding new categories and
features, who in your
company will be responsible
for putting this new content
together?
10.
Develop a project budget and
timeline
Depending on the size and
scope of your web site
redesign, the project budget
can be a substantial
investment. Many projects
are priced based on the size
of the site and the
technical requirements. You
should also start thinking
about a launch date for your
redesigned web site,
especially if you would like
to tie the site launch into
a new marketing campaign.
11.
Assign a project manager
As with any large project, a
single point of contact for
the web design firm can
simplify the entire
development process. This
person will be responsible
for all approvals, creative
reviews and for collecting
all of the necessary content
for the site redesign.
Congratulations! By
following these 11 tips, you
have given yourself a head
start on the planning
process and are now prepared
to speak with a web design
firm about your website
redesign project.
