Once in a while, about every 3-4 years of years, your website should be updated ensuring it has a fresh modern look; utilizing the latest and greatest web design methods. A website which looks outdated can damage your credibility & ultimately cost you new customers. A redesign starts by planning what you want create from your existing website into the next finished upgrade. Step 1 - Planning the project... A good exercise is to list what you like about other websites that you have encountered and bookmarked. Consider how you can integrate the features that you like into your own website. While perusing through other websites you will also get a better feel for what your site already does well and where it doesn’t shine so well. Before you begin, you have to work out what you want your website to do exactly. The goals should be realistic and specific. Ask yourself: who and what is my website for ? · A means to communicate with customers? · To build brand awareness? · Is it’s main function to be a sales funnel? Every website has a slightly different purpose. Define what your website’s purpose is precisely. At the start of your project you should create time-line of of what needs to be done; and when. If you have a project team of other people you should also include who is responsible for each part. Step 2 - Design for building a high level of trust between yourself & your audience Getting your visitor(s) to trust your brand should be the overall goal. Mostly your website to be considered credible & trustworthy is to continuously update it with original high-quality content. Original content helps customer prospects find you in search engines; and in turn establishes you as a thought leader in your market segment. Also keep in mind that you don’t want your visitors to see you as just selling something. The first goal should be to get your visitors to trust your website as an authority. The other avenue to build trust with your customers is to create and maintain an active social media presence. Today’s consumers expect some communication...
