Have you ever walked into a store that looked like it was stuck in the past decade? The decor was outdated, the layout confusing, and the merchandise disorganized. Chances are, you didn’t stick around for long. The same principle applies to your business website – if it’s not keeping up with the times, potential customers are likely to leave before they’ve even checked out your products or services.

According to a Stanford College study, a staggering 94% of people have admitted to distrusting or rejecting a website due to poor design. In today’s digital age, your website is often the first touchpoint a customer has with your brand. An outdated or poorly designed online presence can damage your credibility and cost you valuable business opportunities.

If this scenario offends you, it may be time to consider a comprehensive redesign of your website. But where do you start and what steps should you follow to ensure success? Look no further! With more than 18 years of experience in website redesign services and a proven track record of creating high-performing websites for businesses across multiple industries, we’ve developed a comprehensive approach to website redesign that will help you stay ahead of the curve and maximize your online success.

In this blog post, we’ll take you step-by-step through the website redesign process, from defining your goals to launching and promoting your new online presence. Get ready to unlock new growth opportunities and take your business to new heights.

Website Redesign Process

 

1.  Be Clear About What You Want:

If you’re planning a redesign of your company’s website, the first and most important step is to be clear about what you want to achieve. Without a clearly defined goal, you run the risk of wasting valuable time and resources on features or elements that don’t contribute to your desired outcomes.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites

A clear understanding of your goals is crucial because your website is often the digital face of your business. It is the first touchpoint for many potential customers, and a poorly executed redesign can drive them away before they even learn about your products or services. According to a study by Forrester Research, a well-designed website can increase conversion rates by up to 200%.

How To Be Clear About What You Want

• Determine your main goals: Do you want to increase sales, generate more leads, improve the customer experience or enhance your brand’s online presence?
• Gather insights from various stakeholders, including marketing, sales, customer support and leadership teams.
• Conduct market research and analyze the behavior and preferences of your target audience.
• Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals.

According to a survey by Clutch, a leading B2B research company, 58% of companies cited “improving usability as the main reason for redesigning their website. This statistic underscores the importance of having a clearly defined goal that focuses on improving the overall user experience, which can ultimately lead to better business results.

Remember that a successful website redesign starts with being clear about what you want to achieve. By taking the time to define your goals and priorities, you can make informed decisions throughout the website redesign process and create a website that truly meets the needs of your business and your customers.

2. Evaluate Current Website for a Successful Redesign

Before you embark on your website redesign, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate your current online presence. This crucial step involves taking stock of what’s working well and what’s not, as well as gathering valuable feedback from your existing customers. By knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your current website, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions when redesigning it.

Why This Step is so Important for Business Websites:

Your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. A website that doesn’t meet their expectations can lead to a poor user experience, resulting in lost opportunities and revenue. According to a study by Forrester Research, every $1 invested in user experience (UX) returns $100 – that’s an impressive ROI of 9,900%. Taking inventory of your current website will allow you to identify areas for improvement and ensure you focus on an exceptional user experience when redesigning.

How to Take Inventory

• Evaluate your current website objectively: Is it easy to navigate? Does it clearly showcase your products or services? Is the content up-to-date and relevant?
• Gather feedback from existing customers: Ask them to share their thoughts on your website. What information do they find most helpful? What’s confusing or frustrating?
• Conduct user testing: Observe how real users interact with your website. Identify pain points and areas of confusion.
• Analyze website analytics: Review data on traffic sources, bounce rates, and conversion rates to identify potential issues.

Industry Stats:

According to Sixth City Marketing, nearly 40% of designers believe an outdated design is the primary reason visitors leave a website.

By taking inventory of your current website and gathering valuable feedback from your customers, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what’s working well and what needs improvement. This knowledge will serve as a solid foundation for your website redesign, enabling you to create an online experience that not only meets but exceeds your customers’ expectations.

3. Plan Your New Storefront: Designing a Customer-Centric Website

After evaluating your current website and gathering feedback, it’s time to plan your new online storefront. This crucial step involves identifying your ideal customer and creating content that resonates with them. By focusing on your target audience and providing valuable, relevant information, you’ll be able to create a website that not only looks great but also delivers an exceptional user experience.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites:

In today’s competitive digital landscape, having a customer-centric website is essential for success. According to a study by Forrester Research, companies that prioritize customer experience generate 5.7 times more revenue than their competitors that don’t. By designing your website with your ideal customer in mind, you’ll be able to create an online presence that speaks directly to their needs and preferences, increasing engagement and driving conversions.

How to Plan Your New Storefront

• Define your ideal customer: Consider their demographics, interests, pain points, and goals. Create detailed buyer personas to guide your content and design decisions.
• Conduct a content audit: Gather all your existing content (text, images, videos) and evaluate its relevance and effectiveness.
• Create a content plan: Develop new content that addresses your ideal customer’s needs and concerns. Focus on clarity, value, and storytelling.
• Plan your website structure: Organize your content in a logical, user-friendly manner, ensuring easy navigation and accessibility.

Industry Stats:

A report by Econsultancy found that companies with a structured approach to user experience (UX) design see a 63% increase in website conversion rate.

By planning your new storefront with a customer-centric approach, you’ll be able to create a website that not only looks visually appealing but also delivers a seamless user experience. Your content will be tailored to your ideal customer’s needs, and your website structure will be designed for easy navigation and accessibility.

4. Choose Your Design Partner: DIY or Go Professional?

Redesigning your business website is a significant undertaking, and one of the most critical decisions you’ll make is whether to tackle the project yourself or enlist the help of professional web designers. This choice can profoundly impact the outcome of your redesign, as well as the time and resources you’ll need to invest.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites:

Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your business, and it’s crucial to get it right. According to a study by Stanford University, 94% of people cited web design as the primary reason they mistrusted or rejected a website. A professional website design can not only enhance your credibility but also improve user experience, leading to increased conversions and revenue.

How to Choose Your Design Partner

• Evaluate your in-house capabilities: Do you have the necessary skills, time, and resources to tackle a website redesign? If not, consider hiring professionals.
• Research website builders and DIY platforms: If going the DIY route, explore user-friendly platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress.
• Interview potential professional partners: If hiring a web design agency or freelancer, get quotes from a few and evaluate their portfolios, experience, and understanding of your business goals.
• Ask for referrals and check reviews: Reach out to your network or read online reviews to gauge the quality and reliability of potential partners.

Industry Stats:

According to a study by Forrester Research, a well-designed website can increase conversion rates by up to 200%.

Choosing the right design partner, whether it’s a DIY platform or a professional web design agency, can significantly impact the success of your website redesign. While the DIY route may be more cost-effective, hiring professionals can ensure a high-quality, user-friendly website that aligns with your brand and business goals.

5. Design with Your Customer in Mind: Creating a User-Friendly Experience

When redesigning your business website, it’s essential to keep your customers at the forefront of every decision. After all, your website is not just an online brochure for your business; it’s a platform for engaging with your target audience and providing them with a seamless, user-friendly experience. By designing with your customers in mind, you’ll be able to create a website that not only looks great but also delivers exceptional usability and functionality.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites:

In today’s digital age, users have high expectations when it comes to website design and usability. According to a study by Forrester Research, every $1 invested in user experience (UX) returns $100 – that’s an impressive ROI of 9,900%. By prioritizing your customers’ needs and preferences during the website redesign process, you’ll be able to create a website that keeps visitors engaged, reduces bounce rates, and ultimately drives conversions.

How to Design with Your Customer in Mind

• Simple Navigation: Create a clear and intuitive website navigation structure that allows visitors to quickly find the information they’re looking for. Use descriptive menu labels and organize content logically.
• Mobile-Friendly Design: Ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices, as most users now access the internet via smartphones or tablets. Implement responsive website design techniques to ensure your site looks and functions flawlessly across all screen sizes.
• User Testing: Conduct user testing sessions to gather feedback on your website’s design and functionality. Observe how real users interact with your site and make necessary adjustments based on their feedback.
• Accessibility: Design your website with accessibility in mind, ensuring that it can be easily navigated and understood by users with disabilities or impairments.

Industry Stats:

According to a study by Google, 53% of mobile site visitors will leave a page that takes longer than 3 seconds to load.

By designing with your customers in mind, you’ll be able to create a website that not only looks visually appealing but also provides a seamless and intuitive user experience. Simple navigation, mobile-friendly design, and accessibility will ensure that your website is user-friendly and engaging, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction and conversions.

6. Launch and Celebrate: Unveiling Your New Website

After months of planning, designing, and development, the moment has finally arrived – it’s time to launch your brand-new, redesigned website. However, the journey doesn’t end there. To ensure the success of your new online presence, it’s crucial to test, promote, and continuously improve your website to meet the evolving needs of your customers and your business.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites:

Launching a new website is a significant milestone, but it’s just the beginning of an ongoing process. According to a study by Forrester Research, companies that prioritize continuous improvement and optimization of their digital experiences achieve a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and revenue. By following best practices for testing, promotion, and continuous improvement, you’ll be able to maximize the impact of your website redesign and ensure that it delivers tangible results for your business.

How to Launch

• Test Before Takeoff: Before launching your new website, conduct thorough testing to identify and address any potential issues or bugs. Enlist the help of friends, family, or even a focus group to evaluate the user experience and ensure that your website achieves its intended goals.
• Promote Your New Look: Develop a comprehensive promotion strategy to ensure that your target audience is aware of your new website. Leverage social media, email marketing, and even create a dedicated blog post or landing page to announce the launch and highlight the new features and improvements.
• Continuous Improvement: Treat your website as a living, breathing entity that requires ongoing attention and optimization. Regularly analyze website performance metrics, gather user feedback, and make necessary adjustments to improve user experience, search engine visibility, and overall effectiveness.

By following best practices for testing, promotion, and continuous improvement, you’ll be able to maximize the impact of your website redesign and ensure that your new online presence delivers a seamless and engaging experience for your customers.

7. Continuous Improvement: Keeping Your Website Relevant and Effective

Congratulations! You’ve successfully launched your redesigned website, but the work doesn’t stop there. To ensure that your new online presence continues to deliver results and meet the evolving needs of your business and customers, it’s crucial to embrace a mindset of continuous improvement. This step involves regularly monitoring your website’s performance, analyzing data, and making necessary adjustments to keep your site fresh, engaging, and effective.

Why This Step is Important for Business Websites:

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, standing still is not an option. According to a study by Forrester Research, companies that prioritize continuous improvement and optimization of their digital experiences achieve a 20% increase in customer satisfaction and revenue. By regularly monitoring and refining your website, you’ll be able to adapt to changing trends, stay ahead of the competition, and ensure that your online presence remains a valuable asset for your business.

How to Implement Continuous Improvement

• Track Your Results: Regularly monitor your website’s performance using analytics tools like Google Analytics. Pay close attention to key metrics such as traffic sources, bounce rates, conversion rates, and user behavior patterns.
• Gather User Feedback: Solicit feedback from your website visitors through surveys, feedback forms, or user testing sessions. This valuable insight can help you identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.
• Optimize for Search Engines: Continuously optimize your website’s content, structure, and technical aspects to improve search engine visibility and organic traffic.
• Stay Up-to-Date: Regularly review industry trends, design best practices, and emerging technologies to ensure that your website remains modern, relevant, and aligned with user expectations.
• Iterate and Refine: Based on your analysis and feedback, make regular updates and improvements to your website. This could include refining the user experience, refreshing content, or implementing new features and functionality.

By embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, you’ll be able to keep your website fresh, engaging, and effective, ensuring that it remains a valuable asset for your business.

Tools and Resources:

To ensure a successful website redesign, it’s essential to leverage the right tools and resources. Here are some recommended options:

• Content Management Systems (CMS): WordPress (free and paid plans), Drupal (free), Joomla (free), Squarespace (paid), Wix (free and paid plans)
• Design Tools: Adobe Creative Cloud (paid), Canva (free and paid plans), Sketch (paid), Figma (free and paid plans)
• Prototyping Tools: InVision (free and paid plans), Marvel (free and paid plans), Framer (paid), Adobe XD (paid)
• User Testing Tools: UsabilityHub (paid), UserTesting.com (paid), Hotjar (free and paid plans)
• Website Analytics: Google Analytics (free), Mixpanel (free and paid plans), Matomo (free)
• SEO Tools: Google Search Console (free), SEMrush (paid), Ahrefs (paid), Moz (paid)

Additionally, there are numerous free resources available online, such as blogs, forums, and online communities, where you can find valuable insights, tutorials, and best practices related to website redesign.

For those on a tight budget, consider leveraging free or open-source tools and resources. For example, WordPress offers a vast selection of free themes and plugins, making it a cost-effective option for building and redesigning websites.

Case Study: Astra Solutions’ Website Redesign Success Story

To illustrate the power of a well-executed website redesign, let’s explore the case of Astra Solutions, a leading provider of software solutions for small businesses.

The Challenge:

Astra Solutions’ website had been in place for several years and was starting to show its age. The design was outdated, the navigation was confusing, and the content was disorganized. As a result, the website was struggling to attract and retain visitors, leading to a decline in lead generation and sales.

The Website Redesign Process:

Astra Solutions recognized the need for a comprehensive website redesign and followed the step-by-step process outlined in this blog post.

• Define Goals: The primary goals were to improve the user experience, increase lead generation, and enhance the company’s online presence.
• Research and Analysis: Astra Solutions conducted user surveys, analyzed website analytics, and studied their competitors’ strategies.
• Evaluate Current Website: A thorough audit revealed issues with navigation, content organization, and visual design.
• Content Strategy: A new content plan was developed, focusing on creating valuable, informative, and SEO-optimized content.
• Technology and Platform: After evaluating their requirements, Astra Solutions chose WordPress as their content management system.
• User Experience and Design: The design team created wireframes and prototypes that prioritized intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, and a modern, visually appealing design.
• Development and Testing: The new website was developed, tested extensively, and optimized for various devices and browsers.
• Launch and Promotion: A comprehensive marketing campaign was executed, including email marketing, social media promotions, and content marketing efforts.
• Continuous Improvement: Astra Solutions committed to regularly analyzing website performance, gathering user feedback, and implementing necessary improvements.

The Results:

After launching the redesigned website, Astra Solutions experienced remarkable results:

• 35% increase in website traffic
• 25% improvement in lead generation
• 20% increase in conversion rates
• Improved user engagement and time spent on the website
• Enhanced brand perception and online presence

Key Learnings:

• A well-planned and executed website redesign can significantly impact a business’s online success.
• Involving stakeholders, conducting thorough research, and prioritizing user experience are critical factors for a successful redesign.
• Continuous improvement and optimization are essential to maintain the website’s effectiveness and relevance.

Take Action: Unlock Your Online Potential with a Website Redesign

If your website is underperforming or no longer aligns with your business goals, it’s time to take action and unlock its potential through a strategic redesign. By following the comprehensive website redesign process outlined in this blog post, you can create a website that not only reflects your brand but also delivers an exceptional user experience, driving engagement, conversions, and ultimately, business growth.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts for a consultation. We’ll work closely with you to understand your unique requirements and develop a customized website redesign strategy that addresses your specific goals and challenges.

Embrace the power of a well-designed website and take the first step towards unlocking new opportunities for your business. Contact us today and let’s embark on this transformative journey together.

• efficient and successful website redesign