On average, websites are typically redesigned every 2-3 years to stay current and competitive. A WordPress website redesign can be a game-changer for small businesses. Whether it’s to improve user experience, enhance site performance, or simply to keep up with the latest design trends, a well-executed redesign can boost your online presence and drive growth.
Every redesign project is unique, and there are many effective approaches. Here, I’ll share the process that has served us well over the years, honed through over 20 successful website redesign projects.
Why Redesign Your WordPress Website?
Before diving into our process, let’s explore some reasons why a redesign might be beneficial for your small business:
- Enhanced User Experience: Modern design and better navigation can lead to a more intuitive user experience, increasing user engagement and conversions.
- Mobile Responsiveness: With mobile traffic surpassing desktop, ensuring your site is fully responsive is crucial.
- SEO Optimization: A redesign offers the chance to update SEO strategies, improve loading speeds, and enhance site architecture.
- Brand Refresh: A new look can reflect updated branding, keeping your business image fresh and relevant.
- Security Updates: Older websites may have outdated plugins and themes that pose security risks.
- Performance Improvement: A redesigned site can leverage the latest technologies for better speed and functionality.
Our Redesign Process
Our redesign process is structured but flexible, ensuring we meet the unique needs of each client. Here’s a step-by-step look at how we approach WordPress redesigns:
1. Discovery Call
We start with a discovery call to determine if we’re a good fit for each other. This initial conversation helps us understand your goals, challenges, and expectations. It’s a crucial step to ensure alignment from the outset.
2. Signing the Agreement
Once we establish a mutual fit, we proceed with signing an agreement that outlines the scope of the project. This agreement ensures transparency and sets clear expectations for both parties.
3. Scoping
The scoping phase involves 1-3 calls, depending on the size and complexity of the project. During these sessions, we delve deeper into your requirements, discussing design preferences, functionality needs, and any specific features you want to include.
4. Clarifying Terms and Signing Agreement
After scoping, we clarify all terms and finalize the project details. We then sign a comprehensive agreement that covers all aspects of the redesign process, ensuring both parties are on the same page.
5. Design Process
This phase involves constant communication. We provide regular status reports and are always available to answer questions. Our designer, Csilla works diligently to create a visually appealing and functional design that aligns with your brand.
6. First Design Version and Review
We present the first version of the design for your review. This is an exciting step where you get to see the initial concept come to life.
7. First Round of Design Modifications
Based on your feedback, we make the necessary modifications to the design. This collaborative approach ensures the final product meets your expectations.
8. Second Round of Design Modifications
If needed, we conduct a second round of modifications to fine-tune the design. Our goal is to ensure you’re completely satisfied before moving to the next phase.
9. Coding and Implementation
With the design approved, our development team begins coding and implementing the new design on a test server. This allows us to build the site without disrupting your live site’s functionality.
10. Testing
We conduct thorough testing to ensure everything works flawlessly. This includes checking for responsiveness, functionality, and performance across various devices and browsers.
11. Go Live
Once testing is complete, we proceed to go live. The transition is seamless, and your site continues to operate without any downtime.
12. Post-Launch Testing
After the site goes live, we conduct additional testing to ensure everything is working as expected. This includes monitoring functions and indexing, watching and analysing numbers, and addressing any bugs or indexing issues.
13. Maintenance and Support
Our relationship doesn’t end at launch. We offer ongoing maintenance and support to ensure your site remains secure, up-to-date, and performs optimally. We’re always here to help with any issues or updates you may need.
In Summary
A WordPress website redesign is an investment in your business’s future. It can improve user experience, enhance performance, and keep your brand fresh and relevant. Our process is designed to be thorough and collaborative, ensuring that the end product meets your needs and exceeds your expectations.
If you’re considering a redesign, we’d love to chat and see how we can help bring your vision to life. Contact us today to start the conversation and take the first step towards a better online presence for your business.