We know that a website redesign can be a daunting task, but with the right organization and help, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with 13 website redesign strategy tips that will help you stay on track and make the most of your time. So whether you’re just starting out or you’re already in the middle of a redesign, these tips will help you get the job done efficiently and effectively.
What are the Best Time-Saving Tips for Redesigning a Website?
Website design is important for a number of reasons. It can help to improve the usability of a site, make it more visually appealing, and increase the likelihood that visitors will return in the future. However, redesigning a website can also be a time-consuming process. To save time, here’s a list of the top 13 website redesign tips for businesses in a time crunch.
1. Decide on the Goals of the Website Redesign
One of the most important steps in any website redesign project is deciding on your goals and objectives. By taking the time to establish what you want your website to achieve, you’ll be able to focus your efforts and avoid wasting time on tasks that don’t align with your goals. Additionally, by having a clear goal in mind, you’ll be able to more easily measure the success of your redesign once it’s complete.
2. Create a Project Plan and Timeline
Creating a project plan and timeline can help save time in a website redesign project by helping you stay on track and by preventing overlap between tasks. When you have a website redesign strategy to follow, you won’t spend time wondering what you should be working on next or how long each task will take. And by avoiding overlap, you’ll avoid wasting time on tasks that could have been completed while other tasks were being worked on.
3. Invest in a Good Project Management Tool
The best way to create a project plan and timeline is by using a project management tool.
A good project management tool can be a lifesaver during a website redesign project. By using a tool, you can easily keep track of deadlines, assign tasks, and progress reports. Additionally, a project management tool can help you stay organized and on track throughout the entire redesign process.
Some popular project management tools include Asana, Trello, and Basecamp.
4. Research Your Competition
You know the saying: “Why fix what isn’t broken?” That applies to websites as well. Another good tip to save time during a redesign project is to research your competition and figure out what is working in your industry in terms of layout, information, and design. This will give you a good starting point for your new site and help you avoid reinventing the wheel.
5. Find a Web Designer Who is Responsible and Easy to Work With
The best way to save time during a website redesign project is to work with a web designer who is responsible and easy to work with. By finding someone who is organized and efficient, you’ll avoid any frustrating delays or misunderstandings. Additionally, by working with someone who is easy to communicate with, you’ll be able to avoid any unnecessary back-and-forth.
Here are a few ways you can make sure the web designer or company you plan to hire is a good fit.:
Ask for referrals
One way to find a web designer who is responsible and easy to work with is to ask for referrals from friends or colleagues. If you know someone who has recently had a website designed, ask them for their thoughts on the process and whether they would recommend the designer. You can also do a search online for reviews and testimonials.
Make sure they have a good understanding of your industry and target audience
When you’re looking for a web designer, make sure they have a good understanding of your industry and target audience. This way, you can cut down on some of the time it will take for the designer to understand your industry and they’ll be able to design a website that is tailored to your specific needs.
Get a sense of their communication style
It’s important to find a web designer who you feel comfortable communicating with. Before you hire someone, make sure to get a sense of their communication style. For example, do they respond quickly to emails and phone calls? Are they easy to understand? Do they seem like they’re open to feedback?
Ask about their process
When you’re interviewing web designers, be sure to ask about their process. Find out how they typically approach a website redesign project. Do they start with a discovery phase? Do they create detailed wireframes? What type of input do they need from you throughout the process?
Make sure they’re available when you need them
Another important consideration is availability. Make sure the web designer or company you’re considering is available when you need them. For example, if you’re looking to have your website designed within the next month, you’ll want to make sure the designer is available and has the time to complete the project.
6. Work With a Web Design Company That Uses an Agile Process
An agile process is a great way to save time during a website redesign project. In short, it’s an iterative approach that allows for changes and feedback during the development process. This means that you can make changes as you go, rather than having to wait until the end of the project to make changes.
With an agile approach, the redesign project is divided into short, time-boxed iterations (usually 2-4 weeks) and members of the team (designers, developers, etc.) work together to complete a certain number of tasks during each iteration. This approach allows for a high level of collaboration and ensures that everyone is on the same page.
7. Use Existing Content:
If possible, use already-created content from the existing website when creating new website pages. Repurposing written copy and using existing photography from the current website in a fresh way during a redesign process is a great way to cut down on time. Not to mention, it can also help save money.
8. Set up a Content Management System
If you don’t already have a content management system (CMS) in place, now is the time to set one up. A good CMS will save you time in the long run by making it easy to add, edit, and delete content on your website. Additionally, a CMS will make it easy to keep your website up-to-date, which is important for both search engine optimization (SEO) and keeping your visitors engaged.
Some popular CMS systems include WordPress, Wix, Joomla, and Drupal. Unsure about which CMS to choose? Here’s what you should know before making a decision.
9. Use Website Builder Tools, Themes, and Plugins
A website builder tool is a type of CMS that allows you to create a website without any coding experience. Website builder tools are typically more user-friendly than traditional CMS applications, which can make them a good option for beginners.
Website builder tools and plug-ins can help save time in a website redesign project by making it easy to create a website from scratch.
Some popular website builder tools include WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix. They allow you to create a website using pre-made templates and themes, which can save you time and hassle. These days, there are many high-quality templates and themes available for purchase that can be easily customized to fit your specific needs, and if you find you need even more customization, there are many plugins available to download and expand on your website’s design and functionality.
Some popular plug-ins for website design include:
Visual Composer:
This plugin makes it easy to create custom layouts for your website.
WPForms:
This plugin allows you to easily create forms and surveys for your website.
Gravity Forms:
This plugin lets you create forms to gather information from your website visitors.
Yoast SEO:
This plugin is great for optimizing your website for search engines.
Additionally, many website builder tools come with built-in search engine optimization features that can help your website rank higher in search engines.
10. Keep it Simple
When it comes to website redesigns, simplicity is key. By keeping your website design simple, you can save time and frustration in the redesign process. Additionally, a simple design is often more user-friendly and can help keep your visitors engaged.
There are many different ways to keep your website design simple. The most time-saving option is to limit the number of pages on your website by sticking to only the essential pages to communicate your brand message. These include the home page, about page, contact page, and if applicable, relevant service pages.
Another way to keep your website design simple is to use a limited color palette and stick to clean, easy-to-read fonts. Additionally, you can use whitespace to break up your content and make it easier to read.
11. Create Wireframes Before Starting the Design Process
Wireframes are an essential part of the website design process. In short, wireframes are a way to map out the layout of a website before starting the design process. This helps ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page and that there are no surprises once the design process begins.
Wireframes can be created in a number of ways, but the most popular way to create them is by using a wireframing tool. A wireframing tool allows you to create custom wireframes for your website by dragging and dropping pre-made elements onto a canvas. Popular wireframing tools include Balsamiq and Sketch.
When creating your website’s wireframe, be sure to keep the following in mind:
- The purpose of your website
- Your target audience and buyer persona
- The goals you want to achieve with your website
- The content you want to include on your website
- The functionality you need on your website
By taking the time to plan out your website’s design, you can avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that can often lead to cost overruns, while also providing a better experience for your website’s visitors.
12. Implement Responsive Design
With more and more people accessing the internet from mobile devices, it’s important to make sure your website is designed with responsive or adaptive design in mind. This will save you time down the road as you won’t have to create a separate mobile version of your website.
Responsive design is a way to create a website design that automatically adjusts to fit the screen size of the device it is being viewed on. This means that your website will look great no matter what device your visitors are using.
13. Simplify the Review Process
The review process for a website redesign project can get overwhelming quickly if not planned correctly. Here are a few ideas on how you can simplify this step to make the review more efficient:
Limit the number of opinions:
As with any creative project, there are bound to be differing opinions on design, layout, wording, etc. Too many cooks in the kitchen lead to delays and hang-ups on details that may not be essential to the overall success of the site. If possible, it’s a good idea to limit the number of people reviewing the site to only the stakeholders or decision-makers within the organization.
Stay organized with a checklist or review software:
One way to simplify the review process during a website redesign project is to use checklists or templates. There are also website review platforms out there such as Pastel, which provide templates and tools specifically designed for website reviews.
By using a checklist or review software, you can ensure that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of what needs to be reviewed. Additionally, these tools can help streamline the review process by providing an easy way to track feedback and changes.
This will help ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page and that no important steps are missed. Additionally, using a checklist can help prevent any last-minute surprises or delays.
Establish clear deadlines
Another way to simplify the review process is to establish clear deadlines and expectations upfront. This will help ensure that everyone is aware of the timeline and that there is a clear understanding of who is responsible for what. Finally, be sure to allow enough time for review and feedback so that all stakeholders have a chance to provide input.
To Sum it Up
The website redesign process can be time-consuming, but following these 13 tips will help you stay on track and within budget. By finding a reputable designer, creating wireframes, keeping it simple, simplifying the review process, and establishing clear deadlines, you can ensure that your website redesign goes as smoothly as possible. What are some of your own website redesign tips? Share them in the comments below!
If you’re looking for help with your website redesign, contact Digital Operating Solutions today! We can help you create a website that’s not only beautiful but also responsive and easy to use. Plus, we’ll work within your budget to make sure you get the most for your money. Contact us today to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my website needs a redesign?
The best way to know if your website needs a redesign is to take a look at your website analytics, either natively or through Google Analytics. If your website traffic has been steadily declining, or you’re not seeing the conversions you’d like, it may be time for a redesign. Additionally, if your website looks dated or is difficult to navigate, it may be time for a fresh start.
Can I do a website redesign myself, or do I need to hire a professional?
If you’re feeling confident in your design skills, you may be able to do a website redesign yourself. However, if you’re not sure where to start or don’t have the time to devote to the project, it’s best to hire a professional. A professional web designer will have the experience and knowledge necessary to help you create a website that’s not only beautiful but also effective.
How much does a website redesign cost?
The cost of a website redesign can vary depending on the scope of the project. If you’re simply making cosmetic changes, such as updating your color scheme or adding new photos, the cost will be relatively low. However, if you’re making more significant changes, such as changing your website’s layout or adding new features, the cost will be higher. To get an accurate estimate for your project, contact a few different web design firms and request quotes.
What are the most important things to consider when redesigning my website?
When redesigning your website, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, including your goals for the website, your target audience, and the overall design of the website. Additionally, you’ll need to decide whether or not to keep your current website platform or switch to a new platform. Here are a few additional things to keep in mind when redesigning your website:
– Do I need any special features or functionality on my website?
– What are the most important pages on my website?
– How do I want my website to look?
– What are my website’s most important conversion goals?
– How will I measure the success of my website redesign?
How long does a website redesign take?
A website redesign can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, depending on the scope of the project. If you’re making major changes, such as overhauling your website’s layout or adding new features, the project will likely take longer. To ensure that you have enough time to complete the project, be sure to allow enough lead time and start the planning process early.
