With all the new websites going live at breakneck speed every day, existing ones are more like pressured to continually maintain a competent and fresh image that their current and target subscribers will love. It’s like consistently sporting an attitude that goes like, ‘There are many of my kind on field, but here’s why I am better.’
A website, while seen by other people solely as a marketing strategy, has already become the forefront of a business in itself. In this digital age, buyers first go to online sources to have a look at reviews and comments from users about a specific product. This behavior is an indicating factor that companies must devote time in spreading news about their goods online.
With market competition becoming tougher as we speak, some entrepreneurs might deem it necessary to up their game by redesigning their websites into something that is more trendy and fit to the profiles of their audience.
There’s nothing wrong with doing this if you believe the current one isn’t performing well. But before getting on with the actual redesigning process, be sure to ask yourself the following questions first:
Why do you want to change the site design?
The fact that you’re considering a redesign would mean that you already have an existing website, to begin with. Before jumping into any kind of change you wish to implement, it will be best to take a closer look at the reason why you want it changed in the first place.
Your motivation could greatly affect and dictate the style and appeal that the newer version would sport. Make sure you are specific about this.
Are you changing the product or service you’re offering?
Several companies decide to change the design of their website to be in line with the changes they are implementing on their products or services. Naturally, the appearance of a cosmetics site would be visually different from that of an automobile. While you may not be into a complete three-hundred-sixty-degree turn in your product line change, it’s still best to assess the amount of impact it can have on the appropriate layout of the new website.
What specific elements would you like to include in the new one?
This part requires research on your competitors and even on other authority websites that might be a good resource in designing. Surely, you have a few favorite websites yourself – those that you like to read and have even subscribed. Have a closer look at their website format again and see if there are functions you wish to include on your own.
Knowing how you want to website to appear and function is vital once you already start working on with web designers who will do the legwork on your behalf.
What do you plan to achieve in the redesigning procedure?
This part is where you assess your purpose and goals. There are certain pros and cons in redesigning a website. One advantage is you will have the opportunity to make it look better and enhance the overall user experience of the platform. The disadvantage may come at the fact that some avid users or subscribers may not like the redesign. If not planned out carefully, it might even lose its identity that you’ve been working to build for so long.
It is okay to change something on your site’s layout. But make sure it serves you well.
How much is your budget?
Unless you are a skilled web designer yourself who can spend lots of time doing the actual process, it’s best to hire professionals. Even seasoned developers work in a team or group to finish a project. There is no reason why you should not do the same. Remember that your current subscribers are waiting for your new and fresh content.
You can’t provide this to them if your website is still under construction. Finishing the job as soon as possible with all the necessary changes intact requires the effort of more than just one person. Hiring a full staff will require money and this is fully on you.
Be honest on your current budget. How much are you willing to spend for the redesign? Who are your potential picks who could do the job? How many people do you want to work on this?
All of these questions could dictate the amount of money you will be spending. Double check your budget and see if it matches with the estimated cost of redesign.
Will the redesign significantly affect your branding?
Some owners may dismiss this matter as something simple and unimportant. However, you should keep in mind that branding is a crucial part in driving traffic and sales to your company. A simple change in the color combination and layout of your website might affect your branding strategy especially if the new web design is not well targeted to the preference of your main market.
Again, it is all right to chance something. However, it must not affect your branding strategy in a negative way.
What are the specific information you wish to include in the new design?
There is a huge possibility of changing several copies in your current website once you start running a newly designed one. Layout will be different and certain areas may need visible call-to-action to help your readers navigate through your site easier. Make a list of those data you want to publish on site.
Building a fully functional website requires time, and it’s never just an effort of one person. The bigger the company, the more data has to be inputted. This requires more people who need to work together in order to get the site running in a specified time.
Design or layout may just be mere aesthetics, but they have the potential of breaking your product messaging when not chosen well. Refer to the question we have on this list before coming up with any decision. Visit other websites under the same industry as you do and check out those specific functions that make them standout from the rest.
Create a knockout website that appeals well to your audience!
