It’s Springtime-Should You Redesign? May 18, 2012 by Sarah Bauer BA English Literature

As the sun emerges from its grey blankets of winter, we view our surroundings with a brightened perspective, and note the cracks and dust that went unnoticed in the dark.

We can clear the dust, and seal the cracks, and go on to enjoy the spring. Or we can note the changes made by the dust’s appearance, and wonder how to make things better for the long term.

Whether dusting and calking through a springtime clean, or preparing to alter the whole process by which dust and cracks appear, the urge to change comes naturally to us during these warming months.

Your business website might be showing its cracks now, too.  You can gauge whether the cracks and dust should be neatened up for the short term or reconsidered as part of a larger issue.  You just need to know what to consider for your time, money, and current client base.

Let’s assess whether it’s time for a complete redesign of your website, or if it just needs a bit of cleaning up. Look here:

Redesign today if…

-Your business has undergone a serious shift in values or ownership. “A site is the face of a business,” says Speckyboy.com contributor Ada Ivanova, “if your business has changed, this might imply site modifications are mandatory.”

-Your site requires new functions that the current design cannot accommodate. Shopping carts, media galleries, and RSS feeds are all important aspects of modern web marketing, but can these functions fit your present design?

-Your users are dissatisfied. If you are receiving negative feedback from users, via online email forms or social media commenting, it might be time to redesign. Negative feedback includes frustrated inquiries about the functionality of the site, and complaints about usability. Listen to your clients, and ask questions. Specifically, ask “what can we do to make our site better?” and “what question about [industry here] do you most want answered?”

Try a site cleanup if…

-It’s looking a bit “old”. As Smashing Magazine guru Jeff Gothelf suggests, “the website’s aesthetic reflects directly on the perception and trustworthiness of your brand.” A superficial “facelift” of your design could make or break a user’s trust.

-Time has told you. While Ivanova insists that there’s no “X” amount of years before a redesign is necessary, Gothelf believes in a design shelf life of twelve months. Minor updates every twelve months won’t break the bank, and will keep your site looking fresh.

-Your business needs some attention. A site facelift is a great way to advertise your business across social media channels and radio advertisements. Encourage users to visit your “new” site, with incentives for visiting. You can create online campaigns around having visitors vote on site changes, or contribute their ideas.

You won’t ignore the cracks and dust of winter’s hibernation, because change is all too enticing. Choosing the right strategy for pursuing change in your business’ web design this spring involves a clear-headed appraisal of your current design. Let’s shake out the dust and make informed choices for our Internet marketing strategies. Call Greg today to talk about web design facelifts, site redesigns, and starting your springtime marketing campaigns with an Internet presence with impact.

References

Gothelf, Jeff. “Clear Indications That It’s Time to Redesign.” 8 December 2011. Smashing Magazine: http://uxdesign.smashingmagazine.com/2011/12/08/clear-indications-time-to-redesign/

Ivanova, Ada. “To Revamp or Not to Revamp?” 29 March 2012. Speckyboy.com: http://speckyboy.com/2012/03/29/to-revamp-or-not-to-revamp/

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