Ready for a website redesign? These 3 tips can maximize your impact.
Let’s start this post with a one-question quiz: When is it time for a website redesign?
A) Whenever a new planet is discovered. B) When it’s time for a smartphone upgrade. C) Every time Taylor Swift releases a hit song.
If we’re just talking about frequency, the answer is B. Yes, websites should be revamped every 18-36 months.
Website Redesign Factors
Of course, there are many other factors that contribute to website redesign decisions. Some of those factors include:
- Outdated Design: If your website looks like it came from the dark ages (like, from 5 years ago or more), it’s probably time. Take a look at your competitors: if all of their sites look better than yours, you need a website redesign pronto. And if they all look as old as yours, a website redesign is an opportunity to stand out and claim some online thought leadership.
- Poor User Experience (UX): The way we humans use the internet changes rapidly. (Anyone remember Flash animation?) In addition to consumption changes, the technology itself is constantly in flux. If your users can’t easily, intuitively, and speedily navigate your website to find the information they want, it’s definitely time for a website redesign.
- Rebranding/Brand Relaunch: A lot of thought goes into an organization’s decision to rebrand. Don’t settle with a “minor website reskin” – this is a critical juncture that deserves a fully developed website redesign to reflect that updated brand from start to finish. Remember, your website is your online home.
- Mobile Unfriendliness: Whether you’re a b2c or b2b brand, mobile-friendliness is an essential part of any website. Recent research shows we touch our phones 2,617 times per day! Enough said.
- High Bounce Rate: Do your site visitors leave as soon as they get there? Then something is very, very wrong – plus, the web crawlers will ding you and lower your placement in search engine results. Run, don’t walk, to a website redesign agency that will ensure you have the right SEO copywriting and content.
Website Redesign Tips
OK, you’ve decided it’s time for a website redesign. Now what? Here are 3 tips to help ensure you get it done the right way – along with a real-world before-and-after example, Diamond Chemical. Let’s start with the before:
- Website Redesign Tip #1: Make it a Great User Experience (UX)
Diamond Chemical is a well-respected, third-generation b2b brand that has been around for over 90 years. Their success is largely rooted in outstanding customer service – so our website redesign had to reflect that. We created an entirely new site that focused on intuitive navigation, defined visual hierarchy, and streamlined messaging – bringing the products and services front and center with a flow that allows potential customers to learn the breadth and depth of Diamond Chemical’s offerings. To make sure that all site visitors could ingest that website goodness, we useda responsive design that works on any device a customer chooses to use.
Website Redesign Tips
OK, you’ve decided it’s time for a website redesign. Now what? Here are 3 tips to help ensure you get it done the right way – along with a real-world before-and-after example, Diamond Chemical. Let’s start with the before:
- Website Redesign Tip #1: Make it a Great User Experience (UX)
Diamond Chemical is a well-respected, third-generation b2b brand that has been around for over 90 years. Their success is largely rooted in outstanding customer service – so our website redesign had to reflect that. We created an entirely new site that focused on intuitive navigation, defined visual hierarchy, and streamlined messaging – bringing the products and services front and center with a flow that allows potential customers to learn the breadth and depth of Diamond Chemical’s offerings. To make sure that all site visitors could ingest that website goodness, we useda responsive design that works on any device a customer chooses to use.
- Website Redesign Tip #2: Make it Findable
As part of the Diamond Chemical website redesign, we carefully revisited the content in terms of what made the most sense for the humans who wanted the information – and for the bots who will help those humans find the site. That does NOT mean writing copy just for the search engines, repeating keywords over and over. (Do that, and site visitors will bounce.) That DOES mean writing copy that accurately describes the products and services provided in a way that humans will search for them so the web crawlers can guide them to Diamond Chemical. - Website Redesign Tip #3: Make it Secure
One of the biggest concerns today is cyber security, and old coding can provide an open door to hackers and viruses. We modernized the site’s code base to provide greater security and protection. Additionally, we programmed the site with the WCAG AA accessibility standard
in mind – something which helps serve online users with special needs while helping to protect the brand against legal liabilities. (Note: the accessibility standard is constantly changing.)
Website Redesign Test
Still not sure if your brand needs a website redesign? Then you’ve failed the last test.
Unless you are sure that your website is what it should be – that it provides the proper experience to the site users and helps the search engines they use get them there – you probably need a website redesign.
To see the full Diamond Chemical website redesign, click here.
To learn more about The S3 Agency and how we help brands become more well-known and well-loved (including through website redesign), just call 973.257.5533 or send an email info@theS3agency.com.
