Originally published on February 4th, 2019. Updated for March 16th, 2021.
Since you’re here, it’s probably been a few years since you’ve updated your website. Is it looking a little dated? Keep reading for seven website redesign tips that won’t take you forever and will make you look like a pro.
It isn’t a bad idea to look into redesigning your website every few years. At the very least, you should be doing an audit of your website to take inventory of what you do have on your website, what you are currently doing with it, and what you want to accomplish with your website. Follow these great website redesign tips to ensure that you (and your customers) are happy with the result.
The truth is, it is easy to get wrapped up in the details of a website redesign, and only look at the nooks, crannies, and colors that you need to change. You also need to keep your eye on the big picture of what you want your site to look like and what you want it to accomplish. Let’s take a look at seven website redesign tips that will help you make your new website really shine.
1) What Do You Like About Your Old Website?
The first and most important thing that you need to ask yourself is what do you like about your current or old website? When many people think of redesigning their website, they often go in with the mindset that they are going to flip the website on its head. They want to change and update as much as they can about the old website so that they have something completely new.
What many people don’t take into account is what they like about their current website. This can include anything from design elements to functional pieces or modules on the website that appear to work well and drive or encourage the engagements or the actions that you want visitors to take when they come to your website. Before you get started with throwing your old website away, take a look at what is already working. How can you use or reposition that on your new website?
2) What Don’t You Like About It?
The next aspect of your current website that you look at is what you don’t like. This may be a few things that need touching up here and there, or this may include a laundry list of clutter that you need to get rid of and change.
Takedown a list of all of the facets of your current website that you don’t like or don’t want to keep.
How would you change what you currently have on your website?
What are ways that you can do more with less, on your new website?
3) What Are Your Competitors Doing?
We highly recommend taking some time to do some competitive research before you get started with the redesign process. Taking an inventory of your competitors gives you a few different, valuable tools that you can use at your disposal:
- Seeing what your competitors are doing that you like and think would be useful on your website
- Seeing what they are doing that you don’t like or doesn’t work that you want to avoid
- Giving you the opportunity to fill in the gaps that you and your competitors weren’t previously filling
Bonus website redesign tip: You may also want to check out some of the websites that inspire you. Looking for inspiration for new ideas is an excellent idea for your redesign.
4) Mapping it Out
One of the most important pieces of your website is the user experience, and how users navigate and use your website. If you find that it is hard to navigate, you may want to draw up or outline a new website map for yourself. What are some ways that you can better outline and organize your website?
5) General Design Changes
After you have done your research, it is time to put that to use and start working on the design itself. Now that you have a good inventory to work with, start mocking up designs of what your website is going to look like.
6) Colors, Logos, and Rebranding
This might be the perfect time to look into other design changes that may including changing up the color scheme on your website. If your color-scheme is aging your website, take a look into a new color palette that would freshen things up. You might also want to look into designing a new logo and rebranding your website.
7) What is the Overall Goal of Your Website?
Having a beautiful website is important, but will lack in substance if it does not serve a purpose.
- What do you want to accomplish with your website?
- What kind of value are you providing?
- How are you providing and delivering that value?
- Who are you providing that value to and who is your target audience?
- What actions or areas of the website do you want to lead your audience to?
With any page and element that you create on your new website, define the goal first.
Follow these seven website redesign tips, and you’re sure to end up with a new website that you’re proud of and that your customers love.
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