Taking on a website redesign project can seem overwhelming. The options for services and deliverables from website redesign services are vast. With so many directions you could go, how do you determine what’s actually crucial for redesign success?
While a wide array of services can add value, certain core offerings should take priority. These foundational elements have an outsized impact on the effectiveness of your website overhaul and ROI. Other supplementary services are nice to have but less integral.
In this article, we break down the 10 most vital website redesign services to invest in. From audits and strategic planning to custom development and meticulous launch support, these priorities lay the groundwork for transformation. They encompass both the initial redesign and ongoing optimization after launch.
With too many options, it’s easy to overspend on non-essential redesign services that don’t move the needle. However, focusing budget and efforts on the critical offerings covered in this guide will maximize your likelihood of a successful project. Read on to learn which website redesign services you should prioritize above all others for optimal outcomes.
Technical Audit
Kicking off every website redesign project should be a comprehensive technical audit. This core service assesses your existing infrastructure and site architecture to uncover crucial insights.
An audit identifies compatibility issues that may arise when migrating the current site to new platforms. It flags aging or outdated technologies in need of modernization. An audit also evaluates site security and planning for greater resilience.
Additional areas assessed include site speed, scalability, analytics integration, and tech stack optimizations. By understanding current limitations, teams can architect solutions purpose-built to resolve them.
Technical audits establish a clear blueprint for the redesigned website’s foundation. Prioritizing this service ensures no crucial opportunities are missed to enhance the backend and infrastructure.
Content Audit
An insightful content audit evaluates the entirety of your current website content – from blog posts to product pages, guides to news articles. This identifies opportunities to refine information architecture and focus on high-performing content.
Auditors analyze content types and topics driving the most traffic and engagement. They assess keyword targeting and overall SEO optimization. User testing also provides feedback on the most useful content.
Based on the findings, teams can shape an effective content strategy for the redesign. This includes pruning redundant or outdated content while emphasizing popular information. Optimizing content organization also enhances findability.
A content audit confirms what existing copy and assets to migrate vs. replace. It’s vital for transitioning your best content into a redesigned website primed for even greater success.
User Research
Accessing firsthand insights from your audience through user research should also be a priority. This can include surveys, interviews, focus groups, and usability testing.
Research identifies points of friction in the current site experience. It reveals gaps between existing functionality and user goals or expectations. Feedback highlights what users most want from a redesign.
Armed with direct needs and pain points from your audience, the redesign can be calibrated for optimal user experience. Research prevents assumptions or guessing about how site visitors behave.
Ongoing user testing later in the process further refines the design. User insights add invaluable human context to every project phase.
Information Architecture
Information architecture (IA) outlines the structure, navigation systems, and internal logic of a website. This core service has an immense impact on user experience.
IA ensures easy discovery of information and intuitive pathways through the site. A logical, cohesive architecture guides visitors to key content effectively.
For redesigned sites, IA balances user expectations with ideal new flows optimized for goals. IA also facilitates migrating current content into an improved organizing system.
Strong information architecture provides lasting value as new pages and features are added over time. Users remain oriented through different site growth phases.
Design Strategy
A thoughtful design strategy ensures the visual presentation and interactions support business goals, rather than just aesthetics.
This involves aligning elements like color schemes, typography, imagery, and layouts with brand identity and desired responses from site visitors.
For example, clear calls-to-action, minimalist interfaces, and prominent product photos can increase conversions. Easy-to-scan sections and engaging animations boost engagement.
The design strategy keeps choices grounded in objectives – improving findability, building trust, increasing time on site, prompting registrations, and so on.
Development
Every website has unique functional needs. Off-the-shelf templates cannot provide tailored experiences optimized for audience expectations and business goals.
Professional developers build highly customized features, integrations, forms, and interactive elements matched to your objectives. This powers capabilities like seamless e-commerce, smoother navigation, filtered search, and more.
The development also handles technical needs like responsiveness, speed optimizations, scaling capacity, and integrating analytics. The ideal combination of custom-coded features and technical excellence fuels redesign success.
Copywriting
Compelling, strategic copywriting is crucial for engaging site visitors and communicating brand messaging. Yet often it’s overlooked.
Dedicated copywriters craft unique on-brand messaging for elements like site introductions, blog posts, product descriptions, newsletters, and more based on goals.
Copy is optimized for immobility while retaining personality. It balances search intent and conversational tone. Strong calls to action convert visitors.
Investing in professional copywriting elevates the redesigned site’s informational value while showcasing brand voice.
Quality Assurance Testing
Rigorous QA testing identifies functional and technical bugs before launch. This includes testing all site elements and flows from end to end across browsers and devices.
QA testing checks forms, integrations, error handling, UI, navigation, and more through manual processes and automated tools. Testers diagnose issues missed during development.
Multiple testing and refinement cycles harden the site for launch readiness. Smooth user experiences demonstrate the quality and care that went into the redesign.
Thorough QA testing reduces disruption, problems, and risks once the site goes live. Users benefit from air-tight functionality.
Launch Support
A smooth transition from the old to the new website prevents disruptions to your business. Savvy launch support includes:
- Implementing redirects from old URLs to relevant new pages
- Adding on-page messaging to alert visitors of the upcoming redesign
- Providing training for staff to proficiently use the new CMS
- Migrating email lists/data into new platform integrations
- Offering technical support during the launch period for any hiccups
Careful launch planning minimizes downtime and ensures visitors transition seamlessly.
Post-Launch Optimization
Optimization shouldn’t cease at launch. Your partner should monitor and refine site performance over time.
Services include ongoing speed enhancements, conversion rate optimization, technical troubleshooting, user testing for feedback on improvements, and content additions to highlight priorities.
Post-launch optimization keeps your investment continually paying off through higher visibility, lower bounce rates, greater usability, and more.
Conclusion
Key web redesign services like audits, research, architecture planning, custom development, rigorous testing, and seamless launches provide immense value. Prioritizing these foundational offerings results in successful transformations aligned to business goals.
Conversely, investing in non-essential services often leads to scoped projects that fail to move the needle. Focus your budget where it counts most – on the critical redesign engagements covered here.
