If your website was designed more than three years ago, it may be time to redesign. We’re sorry to be the bearer of bad news… or maybe you had already guessed it was time? In 2014, we passed the tipping point where mobile device usage overtook desktop usage. As a result, a responsive web design is critical now. Graphic design trends have changed too. If your website features glossy pill-shaped buttons, tons of drop shadows, or intense backgrounds, your site may be “web 2.0.” People aren’t quite so hung up on versioning the web anymore, but if you had to assign it a number, we’re probably in web 4.0 now. There are so many things that have changed over the last few years: full-page width websites that take advantage of bigger screen sizes, higher resolutions (Retina for Mac), Google fonts, parallax scrolling, flat design, the rise of WordPress as a CMS (Content Management System), and so much more. If it doesn’t take these developments into consideration, it’s time for a website redesign.
Collect Feedback on Features to Include in the Redesign
Ask the people who use your website every day what problems they have with your website. Do they wish it were easier to print off your product pages? Do they have trouble finding your contact information? Does no one respond to the forms they submit online? You’ll never know until you ask!
You’ll also want to get feedback on features to include from your potential web designers. They do this all day, and they should be able to give you plenty of ideas. Whether it’s a better way to organize your content, or integrating your website with social media channels, or making it easier for clients to contact you—they’ll most likely have done it before. This is a good time to revisit your website’s appeal to your demographic. If you hadn’t considered it in previous iterations of your web design, now is the perfect time.
Budgeting for a Website Redesign
By all means, we recommend talking to more than one web developer before undertaking a redesign. If you’re doing a big home renovation, you wouldn’t hesitate to get 3 bids—or perhaps even more than that. If you come to a few firms with your existing site and a clear list of your website redesign requirements, you’ll find estimates that vary wildly. Ask what they want to use for the back end of the website. If they propose a custom CSS, run away. At this point in the history of web design, there is no need to reinvent the wheel with a so-called “custom” CMS.
Planning for Future Goals
The web design landscape changes quickly, as we know all too well. To some extent, planning for your future website’s goals is a little futile. But there’s certainly room to plan for the next 6 months or year. If you know you want to sell items on your website, tell your potential web designers. That might change their suggestions for the back end platform. Or, for example, if you plan to post on a blog, let them know now. A sensible web designer will plan for graphics that are easy for you to create and update on your own.
Are you ready to take the plunge and redesign? We’re here for you! Contact us today.
