A redesign creates an opportunity to make the website more useful. It can also lose valuable information if the project begins with appearance alone. Start by understanding the site you have and the job the replacement needs to do.
Do inventory the existing pages.
List useful URLs, forms, downloads, product pages, and content people visit. Review search data where it is available. Decide what to keep, improve, combine, or retire with a clear reason.
Don't remove an old page simply because its layout looks dated. Its information or links may still matter.
Do design with real content.
Use actual service descriptions, photographs, and page titles early. They reveal layout needs that placeholder text can hide. Include a long heading and a realistic form message in the review.
Don't assume the mobile version will take care of itself. Check how the real content behaves on a smaller screen.
Do test the working paths.
Follow navigation, complete an inquiry, and verify the record arrives where the business expects. Test any booking or checkout process appropriate to the site. Check redirects for pages that moved.
Don't confuse a polished preview with a completed launch. The deployed website needs its own verification.
Do plan who maintains it.
Decide how the business will update content and review performance after launch. Keep a record of the build and important settings. The redesign should leave the owner with an understandable site and a practical path for keeping it current.
I run Good Creations in Grants Pass. I work directly with business owners on website design, content, and search. My work includes service writing, inventory websites, and custom publishing tools.
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