Redesigning your website for your brand or business can be a costly and time-consuming process. It takes focus, energy, and company resources to pull off correctly. Unforeseen obstacles along the way can lead to costly delays. Mapping out the process is critical to completing your project on time and under budget.

The internet is a fast moving space. A site that looked clean and modern just a few years ago can soon become clunky and dated by today’s standards. Your product and service offerings can also change, and you may need a website update to reflect that. Whatever your individual goals are, this article is designed to help you navigate the website redesign process like a pro.

Loop your IT team into your website plans

If you have the luxury of working with a dedicated IT support team, it’s a good idea to loop them into your website redesign plans as early as possible. There is a good chance your project will require the web development company you are working with to access your DNS and other technical assets. Being on the same page as your IT team can help minimize issues with related services such as your business email.

According to Dan Carroll from Monmouth Computer Associates, “It’s not uncommon for services like domain registration, hosting, and email to be bundled together. A website redesign is a good point to reevaluate your technology needs and double check your setup”.

If you don’t have a dedicated IT professional or team that you work with, most web development companies will be able to evaluate your setup and make recommendations.

Plan ahead when it comes to your website look and sitemap

Working on a website redesign is a great opportunity to reevaluate your site map, overall look, and content. A good site map is like a blueprint for your website. It helps to explain how your content is structured and the general flow of your website.

You may want to take current popular design trends into account when thinking about the overall look of your website. As high-end kitchen designer Modiani Kitchens notes, bold colors and an overall minimalist aesthetic are popular design choices today.

Working on your sitemap can also help identify areas of opportunity in your content. Great content takes a long time to write, getting an early jump on the process can help minimize last minute delays.

One of the primary roles of a web developer is fitting content to the design and structure of the website. The earlier you have your content in place, the less reliant your developer will be on filler lorem ipsum content.

Gather your digital assets now

During the early stages of your website redesign, it’s a good idea to begin gathering any digital assets related to your business. This can include your logo, images, videos, and PDF’s.

Maybe your logo is outdated, or you need a transparent version for the new website. Assembling these assets early, can help identify any issues you may have and give you time to make adjustments.

Sometimes a website update will utilize a new logo, color scheme, and branding. Knowing this ahead of time can lead to a cohesive finished product.

If you do find that your assets need a little work from a graphic designer, working on gathering these things early will allow for ample time and minimize unnecessary delays.

Work on a privacy policy

Now more than ever, users are concerned about the types of data websites collect and what they do with it. A good privacy policy does just that, it explains the how and why of data collection and provides transparency to your users.

According to Sean Byrnes, a New Jersey estate planning attorney, “It’s important to understand your individual circumstances, local laws, and business requirements when defining a privacy policy”.

If you run a simple business website or blog, there’s a good chance that you can tackle a privacy policy on your own. If your business has special requirements or you run a large e-commerce shop active in international markets, it doesn’t hurt to seek professional advice.

Figure out milestones and deadlines

One of the most important parts of managing a redesign project is working out milestones and deadlines early in the process. Depending on the size, scope, and complexity of your project, it could take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete.

Communicating important milestones early in the project is key. You may want to coordinate the new version of your website with an updated product/service offering or grand opening of a new location.

Perhaps your business is impacted by seasonal factors. Starting the planning process at the end of your active season can allow you to spend your slower time working on rebuilding your website.

Want to discuss redesigning your website? Contact JSMT Media today.