The planning stage of a website redesign can play a major role in reaching your online marketing goals. In fact, redesigning a business website requires a lot more time and planning than most anticipate, especially when it comes to getting the results you want.

Jumping straight to the development stage without proper planning can make your redesign efforts futile. That’s why it’s important not to rush through the redesign process by dedicating a certain amount of time to assess your current website while considering things like goals, market research, content/imagery, and features/functionality. Doing so will ensure every aspect of your redesign is strategically executed to help you achieve your objectives for long-term success.

Assess Your Existing Website

First and foremost, it’s important to evaluate your existing website to see what pages, features and content are most popular. Pinpoint what’s working and what isn’t so that you can keep or remove what’s relevant to your business goals.

It’s also a good idea to identify any navigation challenges a user might experience while using your site. Google Analytics and Google Webmaster Tools can help you identify important issues like high bounce and drop off rates. By closely examining your current website, you will uncover valuable assets that can be incorporated into your redesign while eliminating anything that’s holding your current site back.

Identify Your Goals

Next, take the time to identify your redesign goals. Do this by asking yourself important questions to help you determine what features are most essential to your new website. Answering these questions will help you make informed decisions when it comes to executing an effective website redesign.

Common reasons to redesign your website:

  • Mobile Responsiveness
  • Outdated Branding
  • Low Conversion Rates
  • Confusing Navigation
  • Search Engine Optimization

Market Research

While it’s important to know what you want your website to look like and what goals you want to achieve, market research is an imperative part of the redesign process. Take the time to research your competitors and generate a list of beneficial features they offer for inspiration. Is there anything they have that you would like to replicate or improve upon? What are some things you see that you don’t like? Make a list of creative specifications such a fonts, styles, colors and features you would like to see incorporated into your own redesign.

By creating a competitive analysis, you will not only gain a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors but identify industry trends that will help you connect with your intended audience.  

Content & Imagery

While it’s easy to redesign a website with tons of great content and imagery, you won’t meet your goals if it doesn’t speak to your audience. A well-planned website works by targeting the personas of your brand while taking on them an appropriate user journey. That’s why it’s important to understand your content goals and how it will be presented to your target audience.

Additionally, it’s just as important to keep an up-to-date library of all your images. Take the time to collect specific visuals you will want to use and organize them by category to ensure they get placed on the new site correctly.

Features And Functionality

Last but not least, make sure to list important features and functionalities you want your website to include. Doing so will ensure a smoother redesign project by having these specifications listed from the start. It’s also helpful to identify your needs vs. your wants in order to prioritize each as you establish a realistic budget. This will help you identify and rule out certain features or functionalities that aren’t as critical as you first thought while saving you time and money in the process.

Thrive Web Designs

At Thrive Web Designs, we understand that your website is the most important marketing tool to boost your online business presence. We not only have experience building websites but offer proven marketing experience when it comes to strategy, branding, messaging, content, lead generation, and more for effective and affordable web design projects.

If you’ve determined that your website needs to be redesigned, we can help you plan and develop a sound online presence that sets your business apart from the competition while ensuring a positive return on your online marketing investment. Let us help you by contacting us at (208) 391.2504 today.

 


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