the quick start guide to website redesign

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THE QUICK START GUIDE TO WEBSITE REDESIGN

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Most business owners are already aware that when it comes to building a healthy web presence, a functional website is no longer a luxury – it’s a bare minimum in the current business climate. You need a website that will help you stand out and connect with your customers. This is why most well-designed websites come at a premium and good website designers are well sought after – they’re in very high demand.

Having a successful website contributes to the success of any business. Every website serves a purpose and should have goals. It is important that your website helps you achieve these goals. Here are the 10 questions you need to ask yourself to determine if it is time for a redesign.

YES NO 1. IS YOUR WEBSITE DYSFUNCTIONAL? A website that doesn’t function well can deter users from exploring your content. There are many ways to spot

a dysfunctional website, but common signs include a cluttered design, no logical organization and confusing navigation.

2. IS YOUR WEBSITE EASY TO NAVIGATE? Navigation is important. Users will get frustrated searching your site if they can not find the information they are

looking for. Good navigation is about categorizing content and creating visual distinction in an intuitive way. Too many items in your navigation, insufficiently named categories and complicated design can all contribute to a poorly navigated site.

3. DOES YOUR WEBSITE REFLECT YOUR BRAND AND WHAT YOU STAND FOR? If you want your website to be successful, a gorgeous web design is only half of the equation. Your brand needs

to be present in every element. Think about your brand’s personality and values, and determine if they’ve been incorporated into the color, design and tone of your site.

DOES YOUR WEBSITE NEED A REDESIGN?


YES NO 4. IS YOUR WEBSITE OUTDATED? Web design is constantly changing and it’s often easy to spot an outdated site. To users, an outdated web design

gives the impression that your business isn’t in touch with the current industry. If your website looks cluttered, has a small sized page or uses flash, it could mean that it’s time for an update.

5. HAS YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICE CHANGED? Your website is the first place users will go to get information about your business. It’s important that your products,

services and goals are updated when they change.

6. DOES YOUR WEBSITE LOOK EXACTLY LIKE YOUR COMPETITION? Just like you want your brand to stand out above the competition, your website should do the same. Think about the

elements that set your business apart from the rest. If these aren’t incorporated into your site, you run the risk of blending in with your competitors.

7. CAN YOUR VISITORS EASILY RECOGNIZE THE SERVICES OR PRODUCTS YOU PROVIDE? While navigation is important, it’s pointless unless you have clearly described your products and services. Your

audience should have no questions about the services or products you provide. A description isn’t the only way to provide clear definition; videos and images are also great elements for dynamic description.

8. DOES YOUR WEBSITE HELP YOU INCREASE SALES OR MEET ANY OF YOUR GOALS? One of the main functions of a website is to build your audience and increase sales. If your website isn’t meeting

these goals or any other goals you’ve set yourself, then it’s time to reevaluate the effectiveness of your site.



YES NO 9. IS YOUR WEBSITE RESPONSIVE? Depending on your audience, the medium which users choose to view your site through might be a small phone

screen, a tablet or a computer screen. To ensure that each viewer gets the same experience, your site needs to be responsive; seamlessly adjusting to any screen size.

10. ARE YOU TOO EMBARRASSED TO SEND PEOPLE TO YOUR SITE? Your site should be a place you can direct potential customers as a way to give them more information. If you’re not

happy with your site, then now is the perfect time for a new web design.



GOAL 2GOAL 1

SETTING GOALS

If you answered YES to one or more of the following questions, it may be time for a redesign. When planning a new website, you may be immediately tempted to focus exclusively on design, content and advanced features. However, this should not be your starting point. With any successful website, you should always list your goals and objectives first. Specific website goals should fit your overall marketing strategy and capabilities. As a quick exercise, list 2 website goals below. These goals can include: increase website traffic, increase lead generation, brand building, increase sign-ups, etc.

To help determine which goals are top priority, ask yourself: 1. What type of business do I have?2. What does my business need in order to grow or survive?3. How can my website support these needs?


Branding:1. What three words best describe your brand’s style?

2. What is your unique value proposition (UVP)? (This should be a clear, lead specific statement, that mentions a feature.)

3. How can your UVP translate into your website?

4. What type of voice should your brand have online?

CREATING YOUR WEBSITE STRATEGY

Now that you have set your goals, you can determine what content is needed to help your website achieve these goals. The next excercise explores 4 areas, that once defined, will help your website be more effective. Please think deeply about these questions.


Personas: 1. Who is your target audience?

2. Why are they visiting your website?

3. How would you like your target audience to find you online?

4. How would you like your ideal audience to see you?



Competition: 1. Who are your top-ranked competitors?

2. How will your site differ from them?

3. What competitor websites do you admire?

4. What keywords would you like to be ranked for?



Planning: 1. What do you currently like and dislike about your website?

2. What is missing from your current website?

3. What is your timeline?

4. What is your budget?

5. Do you need a complete redesign or a facelift?


YOU’RE ALL SET

[email protected]@its_creative

www.itscreativejuice.com

Having a solid website is part of sustaining a successful business. Now that you have outlined the goals and strategies of your website, you are ready for a redesign.

Contact us now for a FREE complimentary website consultation. We would love to chat with you to determine the best strategy to ensure you have a great online presence and that customers can find you. We’ll be happy to create solutions to give your site the fresh, modern look it needs.

the quick start guide to website redesign

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