This article was written by Michelle Weger.
How long has it been since you last updated your website?
Three years? More than that?
If so, that’s three or more years of sales that you’ve been missing out on. Your customers are turning to your competitors and their up-to-date websites.
But how do you know what needs to be updated and when?
Some websites need to be redesigned sooner and others last a little longer. Some need an entire overhaul and others just need a few changes to stay on top of current trends.
But regardless of if it’s one year or five years, your website will eventually need to be redesigned. Styles change, new technology is created, and best practices are updated. So how do you know if it’s time for a website redesign?
It’s easier than you think – all you have to do is ask yourself a few questions:
- Does your website look on-brand, organized, and up-to-date with current trends?
- Are you getting enough traffic, leads, and sales?
- Is the visual standard of your website on-brand with your current business?
- Is your website consistently earning you money? (and would you know if it wasn’t?)
If you answered no to any of those questions, it’s time for a website redesign.
So now what?
It’s natural – and smart – to make sure you get the most out of your website redesign. Whether you’re working with a developer you’ve hired before or shopping around for a new business to upgrade your site, you’re going to need to provide information.
This checklist will help you get ready for your next website overhaul so that you can be confident you’re getting a website that works for you.
→ Credentials + Other Technical Information
Collect all your login information for anything pertaining to your website. Your developer may not need all of your login information, but depending on what you need done, that information might be required. Having it readily available means your developer can start work on your project more quickly.If you’re working with a new company, you may also need to provide additional information about your website, such as your hosting information. If you’re not sure what they need, don’t be afraid to ask what’s required and where you’d be able to find that information – your developer might not know the specifics, but they should know where the answers would be.
→ What’s Working and What Isn’t
Coming up with a list of what you like about your current website is as important as knowing what isn’t working. You don’t have to have a completely technical understanding of why something is or isn’t working, but being able to tell your developer this information will give them a strong starting point.
→ Brand Assets + Information
Making sure you have these assets available so your redesign goes more smoothly. This can include:
• High quality logo files
• Fonts to use
• Colours to use
• Colours to avoid
• On-brand images
• A description of your target audience or customer
Depending on the company you choose, your developer may have the resources and guides to help you collect this information.
Redesigning your website is also the ideal time to review your branding and make any changes you’d like.
→ Define Your Goals
What do you want to get out of your website redesign?
More traffic? A higher average order value? A better ranking on Google?
Your website is a cornerstone of your business. Knowing what you want to get out of it will help your developer focus on the things that matter most to you.
→ Determine Your Budget And Your Needs
These two items go hand in hand.
Deciding how much you want to spend on your redesign will directly affect what your needs are, and what your needs are will affect your budget.
No one wants to go into a project with a certain number in mind, only to realize that what they actually want is much more expensive. Talk to your developer about your expectations so you get a realistic idea of if what you want is feasible within the amount you want to spend. Some of the things to consider here are:
• Do you need new copy written?
• How many pages on your website need to be worked on?
• Have you had SEO optimization done in the past? If so, how long ago?
• How long has it been since your last website redesign?
• Do you need new assets, such as a blog, additional forms, or landing pages?
Your business is unique and so are your website needs. These are just a few of the things you need to consider when redesigning your website. If it seems overwhelming, don’t worry. The right website developer (like… us!) will be able to help guide you through these steps and create a final product that supports your business and earns you more money.
