The Ultimate Website Redesign Checklist: 15 Steps for a Website Redesign
The Ultimate Website Redesign Checklist: 15 Steps for a Website Redesign
If your site is still rocking the aol.com theme from 2012 with its old-school fonts, wonky buttons, and “vintage” design, a makeover is in order. Your website is the beating heart of your business and first impressions matter. You could be selling a side hobby on Etsy from the comfort of your kitchen, or launching an entire online business, but with a beautifully designed site all eyes will be drawn to your brand.
Our website redesign checklist is here to help you convert your existing website into a sleek, user-friendly and mobile-responsive machine. We’ll guide you through everything from effective calls-to-action, easy navigation, to search engine optimisation. We also provide practical tips and check-offs for each task so you can help keep your redesign on track.
And check it off to not only look more appealing but also better engage your customers, generate more revenue and improve your online presence. Get a cup of your favorite coffee and let’s get started.
Website Redesign Checklist: 15 Must-Haves for a New Website Design
A website redesign can be as exciting as remodeling a house without the sawdust and hopefully fewer arguments. If you are running a business, investing wisely, or trying to build a high converting site that does not look like it came straight out of 2009, this Website redesign checklist is about to become your new best friend.
Let’s learn how to revamp a website to not only catch the attention of your visitor, but actually hold it. Revamping is more than a facelift. It’s a big and audacious gamble to transform your website into a money making, user-friendly and search engine optimized machine that serves your e-commerce and e-business 24/7.
Here we go.
The Ultimate Website Redesign Checklist: 15 Steps for a Website Redesign
Here’s the Ultimate Website Redesign Checklist: 15 Steps for a Website Redesign
1. Define Your Redesign Goals and Objectives
Assess and audit your site before starting work. To see which pages are popular, which are abandoned urgently, and which buttons and links are not working. Check if there are outdated details, missing photos, or slow web pages. This is your website spring cleaning time.
A website audit also allows you to determine what to retain, improve and remove from your website. It also helps determine what to add. Prior to a website redesign, use Heat Maps and Google Analytics, among several available tools, to see user behavior. Doing a site audit is a great first step to a redesign, and should be included in all website redesign checklists.
Supporting keywords: website audit checklist, site performance review, old website evaluation
2. Audit Your Existing Website.
Review your website before you begin redesigning. Look at which pages are popular, what pages people are leaving quickly and which buttons or links are not working. Are any pages out of date, without pictures, or loading slowly? This is like decluttering your website.
Another purpose of a website audit is to determine what content to retain, what to optimise and what content to delete. Capture successful areas and areas of opportunity via screenshots. Use tools such as Google Analytics or Hotjar to try and understand user’s behaviour on your website and where they’ve stopped trying to connect with you. It’s important to get an audit in place so that you don’t fix what isn’t broken. This makes a great addition to your Website Redesign Checklist.
Supporting keywords: website audit checklist, site performance review, old website evaluation
3. Know Your Audience
If you haven’t boogied with Google Analytics for awhile, do the Google dance. Look at bounce rates, session lengths, traffic channels, conversion rates and paths. You can also view heatmaps of user interaction with Hotjar or Crazy Egg. It’s like CCTV, but lawful, non-back-room and not very Big Brother.
Track analytics, conduct surveys and interviews to learn more about your visitors. Build pages and develop content that is easy, fulfilling, and delightful. Understanding your audience helps with search engine marketing (SEM) and conversion rate optimization (CRO) – you can deliver the message to the right audience. Include audience research in your Website Redesign Checklist to ensure your website is fit for your target audience.
Supporting keywords: customer research for website, target audience insights, user experience tips
4. Make It Mobile-Friendly
Over half the traffic to websites now comes from mobile. Your website must display beautifully and work flawlessly on mobile. Clicks should be clickable, images should not need to be pinched and text should be legible.
Check mobile loading times as slow sites annoy users and drive them away. A mobile-friendly website is essential for modern SEO and user experience By adding this Item in your List of Things to do when Redesigning your Website, your users can always find your website an easy site to browse, when and where they choose.
Supporting keywords: mobile optimization, responsive web design, mobile-first website
5. Simplify Navigation
Visitors should find what they need in seconds. Have clear menu, categories and subcategories. Don’t glut menus or make them too long. Sticky menus and breadcrumbs work well too.
Ease of use decreases confusion, puts less pressure on users to switch sites (increasing duration) and facilitates more efficient indexing by search engines. When you’re optimising your site map the layout to ensure your pages are accessible. Adding navigation optimization to your site will make your users happy.
Supporting keywords: website menu structure, easy navigation tips, user-friendly site layout
6. Refresh Your Branding
Your branding is what people see and is how they will remember you. Change up the color scheme, fonts, logos and images so they align to your business today. This will help you look legitimate and professional.
Your voice and tone is part of your branding. Ensure text is on brand and appeals to your audience. Consistency reassures customers of your legitimacy. Branding is an item in our Website Redesign Checklist, and helps make your site stand out.
Supporting keywords: website branding update, small business brand makeover, logo refresh tips
7. Speed Up Your Website
No-one likes a slow site. Optimise images and reduce scripts, and ensure you have a good host. There are minor modifications that can be made such as browser caching and lazy loading of images.
It lowers your bounce rate, increases user experience, and is better for Google. Users won’t wait for a slow site to load. Include loading time in your Website Redesign Checklist to make sure your website is fast.
Supporting keywords: website speed optimization, improve page load time, fast website tips
8. Use Clear Calls-to-Action
Each page needs to provide a call to action. Calls to action such as “Buy Now”, “Subscribe” and “Book a Call” should be visible, bold and appealing. Don’t use generic phrases such as “Click Here”.
Try different colours, sizes and positions. Monitor clicks and experiment to find success. Adding CTA optimisation in your Website Redesign Checklist means your visitors will follow through with their actions.
Supporting keywords: best practices for call-to-action, button design, getting website conversion rates
9. Improve Your Content
Great content keeps your customers reading. Revise the old posts in the blogs, product pages, and service descriptions. Make content readable with headings, bullet points and images. Tell stories to keep it interesting and place keywords.
Content drives traffic, makes web pages easier for search engines to find and promotes return visits. Keep content clear, helpful and “problem solving”. Don’t forget to work on making your site content better when you update your Site Redesign Checklist.
Supporting keywords: tips for website content, small business content writing, SEO content
10. Follow SEO Best Practices
Make it easy to find your website. Have titles and descriptions of your pages and your images, and have keywords in your URL. Provide links to other pages.
GeoSEO is effective for local businesses. Include periodic SEO audits to keep up rankings post-redesign Add SEO to your Website Redesign Checklist so you get targeted organic traffic and increase business without additional spend on advertising.
Supporting keywords: SEO tips for small business, website redesign, small business SEO
11. Set Up Analytics
Measure your performance. Track page views, bounces, and conversions using Google Analytics and other analytics tools. Measure performance and identify opportunity.
You can then study user behavior to make changes in design, content and CTAs. Put setting up analytics on your list of CMS Tips & Tricks (aka “To Do”) so you can track how your redesign affects your business.
Supporting keywords: website analytics setup, track website performance, conversion tracking
12. Make It Accessible
Being accessible will make your site accessible to all people including people with disabilities. Form readable fonts, adequate color difference, alternative text on pictures and navigability.
The websites that are accessible will reach out to a greater number of users, search engine optimization, and appear professional. Note Add accessibility to your Website Redesign Checklist to ensure that your site is inclusive, and user-friendly.
Supporting keywords: accessible web design, inclusive website tips, ADA website compliance
13. Add Social Proof
Write case studies and reviews and list clients. Visitors will be more likely to convert if they get some indication that others have enjoyed a good experience.
Have reviews on all important pages, keep up. One of the best methods to raise credibility and conversions is social proof. Incorporate this in your Website Redesign Checklist to build on visitor confidence.
Supporting keywords: customer testimonials, social proof tips, website credibility
14. Test Everything
Test links, forms, buttons and other interactive items prior to launch. Check multiple devices and browsers. Even small errors can frustrate users.
Testing ensures a great user experience and no cringe worthy errors. Test your website to ensure it’s perfect for that big launch in your Website Redesign Checklist.
Supporting keywords: website testing, qa for website, website launch
15. Plan for Ongoing Maintenance
Your website doesn’t end with initial design. Time-based backups, new content, security measures, and review time.
Continuous updates ensure that your site is safe, fast and search engine optimized. Maintenance is the last point to add to your Website Redesign Checklist, as this will help your website to grow and prosper.
Supporting keywords: website maintenance advice, small business website maintenance, SEO updates
Conclusion
Redesigning your website isn’t a face lift. It’s money well spent, a rebirth, a contemporary business necessity. By using this website redesign checklist, you’re getting the planning you need to create a website that is not only visually appealing but useful, quick and indispensable.
So, whether you’re a business owner building your digital dream, an investor updating your portfolio website or if you’re an e-commerce-focused business looking for more social shopping carts, this website redesign checklist is your new best boss.
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