Launching a new website is no small task – it can be an extremely involved and time-consuming project. But, if done correctly, it can also be a ways to improve your site’s visibility, organic search traffic, and overall performance. So, where do you start? What are the key steps involved in a successful website redesign strategy? And when should you tackle this project? Check out our 9 stage timeline below for all the details.
1. Assess your current website
Before you can even begin to think about custom website development, you need to take a step back and assess your current site. How old is it? Is it mobile-friendly? Does it reflect your brand accurately? Is it easy to use and navigate? If you answered no to any of these questions, then it’s time for a change.
2. Set clear goals and objectives
Before embarking on a website redesign, it’s important to set some clear goals and objectives. What do you hope to achieve with the new site? Are you looking to increase traffic, improve conversion rates, or both? According to Ecommerce Website Design Los Angeles, once you have a good understanding of what you want to accomplish, you can begin to put together a plan of action.
3. Do your research
Next, it’s time to do some research. A leading SEO Company in Arlington recommended to look at your competitors’ websites and take note of what you like and don’t like. See what’s working well for them and what isn’t. This will give you some valuable insights that you can use when putting together your own redesign strategy.
4. Create a sitemap
Once you have a good understanding of your goals and objectives, it’s time to start mapping out your new website. An award-winning digital marketing agency explained that a sitemap is essentially a blueprint of your site that outlines all the pages and content that will be included. This is a crucial step in the redesign process as it will help to ensure that your new site is easy to navigate and user-friendly.
5. Design a mockup
After you have your sitemap complete, it’s time to start designing a mockup of your new website. This is where you’ll really start to bring your vision to life. Use whatever tools and resources you’re comfortable with – there are plenty of great web design software options out there these days. Just make sure that your mockup accurately reflects the look and feel of your brand.
6. Develop the website
Once you’re happy with your mockup, it’s time to start developing the actual website. This is usually done by a professional web developer or designer who will take care of all the technical aspects for you. If you’re not comfortable with this step, it’s definitely worth outsourcing to someone who is.
7. Launch the website
After all the hard work is done, it’s finally time to launch your new website! This is usually accompanied by a big marketing push to let everyone know that the new site is live. A top digital marketing agency advised to make sure to promote your site across all your channels – social media, email, paid ads, etc. – and don’t forget to update any links or references that point to your old site.
8. Analyze and optimize
Even after you’ve launched your new website, the work isn’t quite finished yet. Now it’s time to analyze how the site is performing and make any necessary optimization tweaks. This might involve changing the placement of certain elements, tweaking the copy or design, or adding new features or functionality. SEO Agency Minneapolis added that it’s important to continually monitor your site and make improvements as needed in order to ensure that it’s always performing at its best.
9. Repeat!
Finally, don’t forget that a website is never truly “finished.” As your business evolves, so too will your website. Make sure to revisit your site on a regular basis and assess whether or not it still meets your needs. And, when the time comes, don’t be afraid to start the redesign process all over again!
