11 Tips to Save You Time and Money When Planning
the Redesign of Your Professional Web Site
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.
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Founder and principal of jajopa Web Design, James Palmer specializes in designing professional web sites that help companies generate more business. Some of James' clients include The Philadelphia Gas Works, Asher & Company, Ltd, and the Philadelphia Sport, Travel & Outdoor Show. Learn more about jajopa Web Design at www.jajopa.com.