8 January 2009
Tips for redesigning your website.

Does your website need a makeover?

1. If it was designed more than 3 years ago, it may need a new look. Technology has changed along with programs, coding and search engines. Also, people want instant gratification so text-heavy and slow-loading sites are a thing of the past.

2. If you had a friend or relative design your site. There is much more to designing an effective website than creating a Word document or Illustrator drawing. Friends or relatives most likely will not have extensive knowledge and experience with html coding, search engines and usability. Also, they may not have the time to devote and your website becomes a low priority.

3. Has your business changed and your website doesn’t reflect the new image, products or services? Take a look at your site about every 3 months and see what needs to be updated or added to keep up with your business focus.

4. Did you create your website from a printed brochure? A brochure is something that people can hold in their hands and read. A website is a visual image and you’ve got about 6 seconds to capture a potential client. People scan rather than read online. If you’ve literally “copied” your brochure to make a website, it may be a good idea to streamline the text.

5. Does your website really reflect the image you want to portray to your target audience? If you are trying to appeal to a high-end clientele then your website should reflect a high-end image. I am not saying spend considerable dollars on a web redesign. It’s almost better to have no website than a home-made, half-baked site that will leave the wrong impression.

Five Easy Steps to a Web Makeover

1. Vertical Sites – Print each page of your site. Fold each page in half from top to bottom. Is the most important information above the fold? Horizontal Sites – Print each page. Is any of the information or photos cut off on the right? Is it important to you that people print your pages? If so, ask your web designer to adjust the pixel width or make the pages printer friendly.

2. Delete Pages – Check your statistics and delete the pages that no one visits.

3. Photos - Nothing dates a site faster than old photos.

4. Text - Avoid using industry acronyms. Speak to your audience.

5. Keyword phrases - Choose 2, 3 and even 4-word keyword phrases that specifically describe your products or services. Place these phrases visibly on your pages in addition to the meta tag area. Search engines need words to find/categorize your site, not just pictures.