Website Redesign: 11 Steps From Audit to Launch

Think a website redesign is about just updating visuals? There’s much more to it. A successful website redesign involves a comprehensive process that addresses functionality, user experience, and content strategy. This guide outlines an 11-step strategy for a website redesign process, ensuring your site not only looks great but performs effectively.

Many redesign projects focus solely on aesthetics, which might leave fundamental issues unresolved. Without addressing these problems, your website may not improve its performance or business outcomes.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what a true website redesign entails, walking you through the 11 critical steps from audit to launch, while highlighting common pitfalls to avoid.

Key Takeaways:

• A successful website redesign goes beyond surface-level changes, establishing a solid foundation for visual design, user experience (UX), search engine optimization (SEO), and technical support.
• Adopt a mobile-first approach, as mobile devices have consistently driven over 50% of web traffic since 2017. This strategy will help you effectively reach the largest segment of your users.
• A “set it and forget it” tactic won’t suffice. Post-launch monitoring and optimization are crucial to ensure ongoing success with your newly redesigned site.

Understanding Website Redesign

Website redesign involves redefining a site’s look, content, and functionality to align with user needs and business objectives.

Merely refreshing a homepage isn’t enough; a full redesign often requires rebuilding the entire site, offering a more comprehensive solution.

A website redesign checklist typically includes:

• Visual Design: Encompassing layout, color schemes, and typography.
• User Experience (UX): Focusing on navigation and interactivity.
• SEO: Optimizing keywords, structure, and metadata.
• Site Architecture: Organizing page hierarchies and internal links.
• Technical Infrastructure: Enhancing site speed and security.
• Accessibility: Ensuring inclusivity for all users.

When to Start a Website Redesign

Unsure if you need a website redesign? Look for these signals that an overhaul is necessary.

Design and Branding

If your website resembles designs from a decade ago, it could make potential clients question your brand’s relevance.

User Experience and Navigation

Feedback suggesting that visitors struggle to find information on your site indicates a need for UX improvements.

Mobile Usability

With mobile devices accounting for a significant chunk of web traffic, ensuring your site is mobile-responsive is crucial. Over half of website traffic has originated from mobile devices since 2017.

11 Steps to Redesign Your Website

Here’s a step-by-step layout, from planning to launch, for executing a successful website redesign.

Planning and Analysis

Begin by auditing your current site to establish performance benchmarks.

Step 1: Audit Your Website

Evaluate your site’s performance using tools like Google Analytics and PageSpeed Insights.

• Analyze traffic sources and conversion pathways.
• Check for speed, stability, and responsiveness.

This allows you to pinpoint what’s working well versus what needs improvement.

Step 2: Conduct User and Competitive Analysis

Gather insights from users and study competitor sites to identify improvement areas.

Step 3: Set Goals and Align Teams

Define clear objectives for your redesign and align all stakeholders to ensure consistency and clarity.

Content and Architecture

Layout the site structure and develop a content strategy before moving forward.

Step 4: Confirm Navigation and Content Strategy

Create a navigation menu that prioritizes user goals and follows SEO best practices.

Draft a content strategy that addresses redundant and outdated content.

Step 5: Develop Engaging Website Copy

Focus on crafting skimmable and audience-focused content with strategic CTAs.

Design and Development

Transition from planning to creating the visual and functional elements of your site.

Step 6: Design Wireframes and System

Create wireframes and an accessible design system that reflects your brand.

Step 7: Build Prototypes

Develop prototypes that demonstrate the user flow and gather stakeholder feedback.

Step 8: Secure Stakeholder Approval

Share your designs with stakeholders, making updates as needed until gaining final approval.

Technical Setup and Launch

Establish the foundation for your new website’s success by focusing on technical essentials.

Step 9: Develop the Website

Collaborate with developers to choose the right CMS and incorporate SEO foundations.

• Focus on Core Web Vitals to ensure performance and responsiveness.

Step 10: Conduct Thorough Testing

Engage team members and beta users to test the site’s usability and fix any issues.

Launch and Ongoing Optimization

Deploy your website and continuously monitor its performance.

Step 11: Launch and Monitor

Officially launch your website, ensuring all technical settings are correct. Use analytics to monitor site performance post-launch and plan ongoing optimizations.

Avoiding Common Redesign Mistakes

Learn from others’ errors by being aware of common pitfalls in the redesign process.

FAQs