10 Things to Aim for with a Website Redesign

There comes a time in every website’s life when it’s time to purge and restart.

We all have our reasons, whether it be that you hired a relative to create the website, that your neon color scheme leaves your eyes burning, or that you have finally come to terms that your website just isn’t that good.

Trust me, I work in this industry at an established and reputable web design company in Toronto and I’ve seen it all.

If you’ve made the decision to scrap it all and restart with a website redesign, you’re going to want to know these 10 tips

1: Hire the Best Web Design Company You Can Find

We all have specific skill-sets that we spend years and decades working on. But no matter how much we practice, there are certain things we aren’t good at.

As much as you may not like to hear it, you’re going to need to be working with a reputable web design agency if you want your website to be built properly

2: Keep What Works, Throw Away What Doesn’t

One of the biggest mistakes people make when redesigning their website is the belief that you need to throw away everything.

Unless your website has had zero visitors since its creation, there’s probably a few good things about your website. Find out what is good about your website and re-purpose that content.

3: Detail the Design Process

Here’s the honest truth. The real reason your original website probably didn’t turn out the way you wanted it to is because it lacked direction.

When it comes to redesigning your website, take the time to map it out. Draw out a rough sketch, write down what specific sections you want, and detail your main goals. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people design websites with no real plan. Like anything in life, a little organization goes a long way.

4: Scope Your Competition and Do It Better

If you know your competitors are doing better than you, spend a few hours scoping out their website. You aren’t trying to invent the wheel here, you are just trying to find a way to take advantage of it in your own way.

Too many people think they have to be witty and original, but for every innovative new business out there, there are thousands of service-based businesses that thrive because they know how to take an idea and do it better.

I’m telling you, a simple glance at your competition’s website can teach you a lot. You just need to learn what your competition is doing and do it better.

5: Focus on SEO

Yes, SEO is a dirty word. We’ve all heard the horror stories where companies spend massive amounts and get nothing in return.

Still, whether we like it or not, SEO is essential. By ignoring SEO, you are passing on the opportunity to design a website that generates organic leads.

Sure, you can still use paid ads to generate traffic, but with paid ads comes the stress of needing to optimize every campaign to get those results.

Instead, here’s what I recommend:

• Identify your target keywords
• Increase the load time of your website by cutting down on slow loading features
• Make sure your content is useful
• Try and get featured on other authoritative websites for that must-have backlink juice.
• Upload a sitemap.
• Only engage in white hat techniques.

6: Responsive Design is ESSENTIAL

We already know that Google heavily favors websites that prioritize responsive design and mobile-friendliness.

In fact, the mobile user experience of your website is something that Google is focusing on.

And the quickest way to reduce your bounce rates is to create a website that is user-friendly.

Why? When your customers can easily engage in your content without your website fighting them, there is a great chance they stay longer, reducing your bounce rates in the process.

Your mobile users are 5 times more likely to leave your website if it isn’t optimized for mobile. Don’t become a part of this statistic.

7. Use a Fast Host

Who likes to pay bills? No one. But when it comes to your website, don’t cheap out on your hosting.

Google penalizes websites with slow loading times. This is a simple fix that doesn’t cost that much.

8. Hire a Copywriter

This falls in line with the idea of hiring a web designer. Unless you are a professional copywriter, you’re going to need to hire someone that knows how to make words pop.

Remember, good writing drives engagement, while bad writing loses business.

9: Leverage Data

We live in the era of data. Whether Alexa is listening in on everything we do, or Google is tracking our data through cookies.

You need to learn how to make use of this data. For most users, this means installing Google Analytics on their website.

10: Color Contrast

You need to start thinking about color if you want to drive more traffic, increase conversions, and control the way your users interact with your website.

Color psychology is real and something that you’ll want to understand before you engage in any website redesign.

Tying It All Together

If you address each of our recommendations one by one, you’ll be in a good position when it comes to your website redesign.

No one told you it was going to be easy. Luckily, we’re here. If you’re looking for a Toronto web design company that understands exactly what your website needs in its redesign, then you should contact us today.