If your current website isn't performing up to your expectations or providing the value that your business needs, it's time to take action. A well-designed website is more than just an online business card; it's a powerful marketing tool, a sales engine, and often the first impression potential customers have of your business.
Understanding the complexities of website design and the best strategies to follow can seem daunting, and that's exactly why we've created this comprehensive quick checklist. This step-by-step guide is designed to simplify your website redesign process and ensure that your new site not only looks fantastic but also delivers the results you need.
From conducting an initial website performance analysis to choosing the right web designer and planning for ongoing maintenance, each step in this checklist brings you closer to a website that truly represents your business and resonates with your target audience.
Cotswold Websites has been at the forefront of helping small businesses in the UK and beyond transform their digital presence. We pride ourselves on creating websites that are tailored to our clients' specific business goals and industry needs, using our real-world business experience, as well as our design and marketing knowledge.
Remember, every journey starts with a single step, and the first step of your website redesign journey begins here with this checklist.
Let's begin!
Understand Your Current Website Performance
- Analyze your website's current performance using tools like Google Analytics.
- Identify areas of your website that are underperforming or driving customers away.
Identify Your Website Goals
- Clearly define the objectives for your new website.
- Prioritize goals, such as lead generation, increased sales, brand awareness, or improved user experience.
Audit Your Existing Content
- Define your target audience and understand their needs, preferences, and online behaviour.
- Consider developing user personas to guide your design decisions.
Know Your Audience
- Review your current content to decide what should be kept, updated, or discarded.
- Ensure your content aligns with your brand and goals.
SEO Review
- Do an SEO audit on your current site to understand what's working and what's not.
- Research keywords relevant to your business and industry to implement in your new website.
Design for User Experience (UX)
- Ensure your new site will be easy to navigate.
- Plan for mobile responsiveness, fast load times, and clear calls to action.
Prepare Your Visual Branding
- Gather your branding elements like logo, color palette, and typography.
- Ensure your web design complements your branding for a consistent look and feel.
Consider Your Website's Structure
- Plan your website's structure, including the main pages and subpages.
- Sketch a sitemap for your new website.
Select the Right Platform
- Consider your needs (e.g., ecommerce, blog) to select the right content management system (CMS). WordPress is a great choice for all types of website.
- Ensure your chosen CMS supports your SEO and mobile responsiveness needs.
Choose the Right Web Designer
- Look for a web designer who understands your industry and has a portfolio that aligns with your aesthetic. Ideally, your web designer will have real-world business experience and is not just a designer.
- Discuss your goals, budget, and timeline with potential designers.
Ensure Your Website Will Be Properly Optimised
- Ensure that your web designer is experienced with search engine optimisation (SEO) and that your new web content will be fully optimised. Most web designers do not have these skills.
- Be aware and understand the different areas of your website which should be optimised for search - text, images, headings, meta data,... and keep an eye on this throughout the build process.
Plan for Website Maintenance
- Decide who will update and maintain your website after it's gone live.
- Plan for regular performance checks, updates and backups to keep your site secure and performing well.
Set a Launch Date
- Define a realistic timeline for your website redesign.
- Plan your launch date and any marketing or promotion around your new site.
This checklist is your first step towards a website that not only looks great but performs well. With proper planning and execution, your new website can significantly improve your online presence and help you achieve your business goals.
Once you're ready to discuss how Cotswold Websites can help bring your plan to life, our dedicated team is just a call or email away. We look forward to embarking on this journey with you.
To get started, request your free website and marketing review! 👇
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About The Author
Christopher White
Christopher White is the founder of Cotswold Websites. An accredited digital marketer and website designer, he has over 18 years of experience in creating bespoke websites.
With a background in international logistics and business analysis, Christopher uses his business experience to advise organisations how their website can and should work for them, along with helping them implement business strategies to use Digital Marketing techniques to boost their public exposure.