How often should a business update their website? When technology changes, if the business model pivoted, new leadership and staff, new products… these are some of the answers we have heard over the years.

Each business is different and their website technology and content are too. The amount of time a business spends when creating their first website compared to even considering to update is a very interesting study. Many companies create a website to launch a company, business unit, or product and never look back to enhance their market presence.

Your company site as had the same information for the past 3 years, yet you have a new client base and new business offerings. Although in the back of everyone’s mind, including the new intern, is the fact the company website and online presence looks dated and the site does not function properly on mobile; mobile internet has grown 504% in daily media consumption since 2011.

The dreaded website redesign project.

What many company decision makers do not realize is that to overhaul the framework (sitemap) and redesign a website is actually much easier then starting a website project from scratch. This is due to the fact that the content building takes up much of the time to create a website representing all the business has to offer. Since many companies have had 2-3 websites in the past decade, the design and user flow is the new revision project along with sections of content that require updates, not the entire site.

How to budget and choose the right design and development team.

If you Google website developers you may be alarmed by the search results. As this sector has been claimed by college kids to large marketing agencies all offering web services, overwhelming options to say the least. The best way to decide who you choose to work with on your new website project is to meet them in-person or via conference calls to get a sense of the creative and business capabilities of the vendor. You are looking for a team that is looking to partner with you and not just work for you. Collaboration will save you time and money.

Website resdesign tips.

  • Make sure you have a checklist and project management system before you start
  • When writing the updated content copy, do not forget to incorporate keywords for your search engine optimization efforts. Also, think of strategic page titles versus “services” for example.
  • Consider customizing a standard template to save cost; you would be surprised the number of large companies which go this route which also focus on time to market (TTM).
  • Since you are redesigning, the information mapping can now change to showcase some of your new or more profitable products and services front and center on the homepage instead of 2 layers down and 3 pages deep.
  • Don’t get stuck on the first mockups from the design, this will evolve to what fits your branding as the design team works on your website while you provide feedback.
  • Allow the design and development team to guide your organization on what is modern and functional. Many clients take over projects and forget why they hired experts.