Website Redesign Tips from a Designer: Everything You Need to Know Before You Start

Let’s be real – your website is the face of your business online, and if it’s looking a bit rough around the edges, it might be time for a facelift. In today’s world where everyone and their grandma is glued to their screens, having a website that doesn’t make people want to close the tab immediately is pretty darn important.

Think about the last time you landed on a website that looked like it was built in 2013. Not fun, right? A good redesign can turn your site into a place people actually enjoy visiting.

But hold your horses – before you go wild with color swatches and font pairings, let’s talk strategy. I’m about to walk you through the whole redesign process, tackle the questions you should be asking (but probably aren’t), and get you prepped for this website makeover. So grab a coffee (or a Diet Dr Pepper, like me) and get comfy – it’s time to give your website the upgrade it’s been begging for.

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Signs It’s Time for a Website Redesign

Now, you might be wondering, “Do I really need to put my website through this whole song and dance?” Well, let’s see if any of these scenarios ring a bell:

First off, take a good look at your site. Does it scream “I was designed when flip phones were cool”? If your visitors feel like they’ve stepped into a time machine, it’s probably time for an update. And if navigating your site feels like solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded, that’s a big red flag.
Then there’s the speed issue. If your website takes longer to load than it does to microwave a burrito, you’ve got a problem. And let’s not forget about mobile – if your site looks like a jumbled mess on phones, you’re essentially telling half your visitors to take a hike.
Are you playing hide and seek with Google? If your site’s not showing up in search results and tumbleweeds are rolling through your analytics, it might be time to give SEO some serious thought.
Maybe your business has evolved, but your website’s stuck in the past. If your site doesn’t reflect who you are now or what you’re offering, it’s time for a change. Your website should be your best salesperson, not that awkward relative who keeps telling outdated stories at family gatherings.
Lastly, let’s talk numbers. If people are bouncing off your site faster than a kangaroo on a trampoline, and your conversion rate is lower than the chances of winning the lottery, your website might be due for an overhaul.

If you’re nodding along to any (or heaven forbid, all) of these points, congratulations! You’re a prime candidate for a website redesign. Why not take the first step today? Click here to learn more about working with me.

An Overview of The Website Redesign Process

Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the website redesign process.

Step 1: Initial Website Assessment

First things first, we need to figure out what’s working and what’s not. It’s like cleaning out your closet – you need to know what to keep and what to toss. Fire up Google Analytics and take a good, hard look at your site’s performance. How’s your traffic? Are people sticking around or bouncing faster than a rubber ball?

Use tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights to see if your site’s slower than molasses in January. This is your chance to be brutally honest about your website’s shortcomings.

Step 2: Goal Setting

Now that you’ve faced the music, it’s time to dream big. What do you want your shiny new site to do? More leads? Better SEO? A user experience so smooth it makes butter jealous?

Whatever it is, write it down. And don’t forget to pick some key metrics to track. You’ll want to compare your before and after, like one of those weight loss commercials, but for websites.

Step 3: Gathering Inspiration and Research

Time to play detective. Snoop around your competitors’ sites. What are they doing right? What makes you roll your eyes? Look at industry trends, but don’t just follow the herd – you want to stand out, not blend in. And here’s a wild idea: ask your actual users what they want.

I know, groundbreaking stuff. Use surveys or feedback forms to get the inside scoop. By the end of this step, you should have a pretty good idea of the look and feel you’re going for.

Step 4: Working with a Web Designer

If you’re not a design wizard yourself, it’s time to call in the pros. But before you hand over the keys to your website, know what to expect. Your designer should be walking you through consultations and showing you ideas and strategies.

Don’t be shy – communicate your vision clearly. It’s like describing your dream house to an architect. And for the love of all things holy, find someone who knows your industry. You wouldn’t hire a submarine designer to build you a treehouse, would you?

Step 5: SEO and Content Strategy

SEO isn’t just some buzzword to throw around at meetings. It’s the bread and butter of getting found online. Plan your SEO strategy from the get-go. That means thinking about keywords, how your content is structured, and all that behind-the-scenes tech stuff.

Speaking of content, it’s time to decide what stays, what goes, and what needs a facelift. And remember, your site should be easier to navigate than your grandma’s photo albums. Both users and search engines will thank you.

Step 6: Website Design and Development

This is where the magic happens. Your designer is going to be knee-deep in design (and code), bringing your vision to life. But before you pop the champagne, it’s testing time. Your site should work smoothly on everything from the latest iPhone to your cousin’s ancient desktop.

Click every button, fill out every form, and try to break things. Better you find the bugs now than your users later.

Step 7: Launch and Optimization

Launch day! It’s like sending your kid off to college – exciting and a little terrifying. Back up everything (seriously, everything), set up those redirects, and keep your eyes glued to the screen. But don’t think your job is done once the site is live. Oh no, my friend. This is just the beginning.

Keep tracking those metrics we talked about earlier. How’s the new site performing? Are people loving it or leaving it? Be prepared to tweak and optimize. Your website is a living, breathing thing now, and it needs constant care and feeding.

Remember, a website redesign isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s an ongoing process of improvement.

Questions to Ask Before Redesigning Your Website

Before you jump into your website redesign with both feet, let’s pump the brakes for a second and ask some good questions. Think of this as your website redesign pop quiz – no pressure, but how you answer these could make or break your project.

What are my business goals for the redesign? Let’s get real – why are you doing this? Is it to boost sales, get more newsletter sign-ups, or just to stop your competitors from laughing at your circa 2005 design? Whatever it is, your new design should be laser-focused on these goals. If you can’t explain how that flashy new feature helps your bottom line, maybe it’s not so necessary after all.
How will this redesign improve user experience? Your site should be so easy to use that even your technophobe uncle could navigate it. Is it mobile-friendly? Because if it’s not, you might as well be invisible to half your visitors. Think about your users’ journey – are you making their lives easier or giving them a digital obstacle course?
Do I need new content, or will I repurpose existing content? Content is king, they say. But is your content more of a jester right now? Decide if you need a complete content overhaul or just a bit of polishing. And remember, creating quality content takes time. Don’t expect to whip up a novel’s worth of web copy overnight.
How will this redesign improve my SEO? If your site isn’t showing up on Google, does it even exist? (Spoiler: not really.) What parts of your SEO need work? Is your site slower than a sloth on vacation? Is your site structure more confusing than a maze? Get these sorted, and watch your rankings climb.
What’s my budget and timeline? Let’s talk money and time, baby. Be realistic here. A good redesign isn’t cheap or quick. If someone promises you a complete overhaul for the price of a fancy dinner and done by next week, run for the hills. Quality takes time and investment.
What tools and platforms will be used? Are you sticking with your current setup or is it time for a change? Maybe you’ve outgrown your current platform. Or maybe you just need to update what you have. Choose wisely – your platform is the foundation of your digital house.
How will I measure success after the redesign? Last but not least, how will you know if all this was worth it? Pick your Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) now. More traffic? Higher conversion rates? Less bouncing than a kangaroo convention? Define what success looks like to you, so you’re not left wondering if your redesign was a hit or a miss.

Remember, these questions aren’t just busy work. Answer them thoughtfully, and you’ll be well on your way to a website that not only looks great but actually helps your business thrive.

Website Redesign Budget and Timeline Expectations

Let’s get real about money and time – two things small business owners never seem to have enough of. When it comes to website redesigns, knowing what to expect can save you a lot of sleepless nights.

Budget Breakdown
- Solopreneur / Micro Business (1-5 pages): $5-15,000. Perfect for your basic “who we are and what we do” sites.
- Small Business (5-15 pages): $15–30,000. For when you need more room to show off your products or services.
- Medium Business (15+ pages): $30-50,000. Got a lot to say and sell? This is your ballpark.
Timeline Expectations
- Quick Refresh (1-8 pages): 2-3 weeks For when you need a new look, pronto.
- Standard Small Business Redesign (8-20 pages): 4-8 weeks Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a solid small business website.
- Complex Redesign (20+ pages): 8-12 weeks More pages, more features, more time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Website Redesign

Let’s talk about the big mistakes you’ll want to sidestep in this redesign. Because let’s face it, making mistakes is part of being human, but some blunders can cost you more than just a bruised ego.

First up: redesigning without clear goals. This is like setting sail without a destination. You might end up somewhere, but odds are it’s not where you wanted to be. If you can’t articulate why you’re redesigning and what you hope to achieve, pump the brakes. You’re not ready, captain.

Next, we have the “kitchen sink” approach. You know, trying to cram every bell and whistle into your new site. News flash: your website doesn’t need to do backflips and juggle at the same time. Keep it simple, stupid. Overcomplicating your design or functionality is a surefire way to confuse and frustrate your visitors. And frustrated visitors? They’re as good as gone.

Ignoring mobile optimization is like pretending smartphones don’t exist. News flash: it’s not 2005 anymore. If your site looks like a hot mess on mobile, you’re essentially hanging a “closed” sign for a huge chunk of your audience. Mobile-first isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a survival strategy.

Skipping usability testing is like launching a rocket without checking if it can fly. Sure, you might save some time and money in the short term, but the potential for disaster? Astronomical. Get real people to test your site before launch. Their insights might surprise you (and save your bacon).

Finally, failing to plan for SEO during the redesign is like building a beautiful shop in the middle of nowhere. What good is a gorgeous website if no one can find it? SEO isn’t something you sprinkle on at the end like magical fairy dust. It needs to be baked into every step of your redesign process.

Real-World Website Redesign Success Stories

Still not convinced? Let’s take a quick look at some businesses that knocked it out of the park with their redesigns:

Last Thoughts About A Website Redesign

Remember, a great website redesign isn’t just about making things look pretty (though that’s certainly a perk). It’s about creating a powerhouse that works tirelessly for your business, day in and day out. That means setting clear goals, asking the tough questions, and yes, sometimes making difficult decisions.

Keep your users front and center in everything you do. After all, they’re the ones who’ll be navigating your digital masterpiece. And don’t forget about our friend SEO – because what’s the point of a beautiful website if it’s buried on page 37 of Google?

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “This sounds like a lot of work.” And you’re right, it is. But here’s the kicker: it’s worth it. A well-executed redesign can be the difference between a website that’s just taking up space on the internet and one that’s actively growing your business.

Why not take the first step today? Click here to learn more about working with me.

I build high-impact websites for business owners so they can spend less time on social media.

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