If you’re a business owner, having a well-designed website is vital for your success, especially in today’s digital-centric world. If your site is outdated, not mobile-friendly, has poor UX or SEO, or no longer fits your business, it’s time for a redesign. Scary, huh? Don’t worry. We’re going to walk through the Phoenix Web Design steps to set you up for success.
Best 12-Step Checklist for Your Next Website Redesign
When it comes down to it, having a website redesign checklist to follow is essential for a smooth process. Below are the detailed steps for success:
Audit Current Website Performance
Start by reviewing how your current site is performing. Let’s use Google Analytics to examine key metrics:
- Go to “Acquisition”> “Overview” to see which channels drive the most visitors and where your visitors come from (e.g., organic search, direct traffic, social media).
- Under “Behavior”> “Site Content”> “All Pages,” review a page’s bounce rate. A high bounce rate means visitors leave without interacting, signaling issues with content or layout.
- Navigate to “Behavior”> “Site Content”> “All Pages.” See which pages get the most traffic to understand what content resonates with your users.
Set Clear Redesign Goals
Your redesign should have clear, actionable objectives, like:
- Improving page load speed to under 3 seconds to boost user experience and SEO.
- Reducing bounce rates to below 40% by improving content and navigation.
- Enhancing mobile usability to ensure full responsiveness.
- Optimizing for conversions to at least a 2% conversion rate by simplifying checkouts and using strong CTAs.
Research Competitor Websites
Analyze your competitor’s websites to understand what works well for them:
- Spot modern design styles.
- See how content is organized for ease.
- Check how they encourage action.
- Test how quickly their site loads.
- Review their blogs, videos, and key topics.
- Ensure their site works well on phones.
- Look for feedback they feature.
- See how they rank for important keywords.
- Check for customer reviews or trust badges.
Create a Project Timeline and Budget
To keep your redesign on track, follow these steps:
- Break the project into phases with clear deadlines.
- Plan your resources design, development, testing, and content creation.
- Include extra time and budget for unexpected issues.
This ensures your project stays organized and avoids delays.
Design a Sitemap and Wireframe
Before diving into design, plan your site’s structure with a sitemap:
- Add essential pages like Home, About Us, Contact, and Services.
- Add supporting pages such as blog posts, product pages, and FAQs.
- Ensure the navigation from page to page is clear and logical.
- Plan easy-to-use menus and links to guide users.
- Organize pages for maximum search engine visibility.
- Decide where key content, like headlines and images, will go.
Conduct a Content Audit
Review all content and decide to update, delete, or create new materials:
- Check the SEO-friendliness of content with relevant keywords and internal linking.
- Look for missing or outdated topics and fill those gaps with new content.
- Update old content to keep it current or remove unuseful ones.
- Ensure the content matches your brand voice and readability.
Design Prototypes
Create mockups or prototypes of the new website moving into development:
- Ensure responsiveness and adaptability to different devices.
- Check if colors, fonts, and images match your brand identity.
- Share mockups with stakeholders or users for feedback to improve the design.
- Ensure consistency in headers, buttons, and navigation across pages.
- Check accessibility to all users, including those with disabilities.
Start Development
Once the design is approved, start the development phase:
- Choose a CMS (like WordPress or Shopify) that fits your needs.
- Write clean, efficient code for fast loading times and strong security.
- Make sure all third-party tools, like email marketing or payment systems, are connected.
- Regularly test during development to catch issues early.
- Ensure your site can handle growth, such as more content or users.
SEO Optimization
Before launch, ensure the redesigned site is SEO-ready:
- Update meta descriptions, titles, and image alt text for search engine visibility.
- Set up 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones to avoid broken links.
- Ensure your site is mobile-first, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendliness.
- Review and update keywords throughout the site for better ranking.
- Submit an updated XML sitemap for proper indexing.
Thorough Testing
A WordPress web design in Phoenix isn’t complete without testing:
- Test the site on major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) to ensure it works everywhere.
- Test elements like forms, buttons, and links to ensure functionality.
- Check the site across various screens to confirm it’s mobile-friendly.
- Test load times to ensure the site is fast for all users.
- Test security features like SSL certificates to protect user data.
Launch the Website
Once testing is complete, it’s time for launch:
- Release the site to a small audience (Soft Launch) to identify any remaining bugs.
- Go live once final changes are made (Full Launch). Monitor the site closely in the first few days for any issues.
Post-Launch Analysis
Even after launch, keep monitoring performance to ensure continued success:
- Use tools like Google Analytics to track visitor behavior and spot changes in traffic sources or patterns.
- Continuously monitor your site’s ranking on search engines to see if the redesign has been effective.
- Track form submissions, purchases, or other key actions to measure how effectively you’re driving conversions.
- Regularly check page load times to maintain a fast, user-friendly experience.
- Look for broken links or 404 errors to fix any issues quickly.
Redesigning a Website: Let’s Wrap It Up
Redesigning a website needs careful planning and execution because the results can transform your business. Follow this website redesign checklist to ensure that you don’t miss any important steps. And remember, a website isn’t just a static presence — it’s a tool that grows with your business, driving success every step of the way.
