You only get one chance to make a first impression, so why not make it count? More times than not, your website is the first place people go to learn more about your business or organization. If your website isn’t visually appealing, user-friendly or mobile-optimized, visitors won’t spend their time on it. Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an old site, the process of designing your site can be daunting, but we’ve got you covered. Let’s walk through the 5 essential phases of a website redesign.
The 5 Phases
Research
Before diving headfirst into the design aspects, you need to conduct thorough research to understand who’s going to be looking at your site, what your competitors are doing and what your goals are. What are you aiming to achieve with this website? What will the website do? Who is your target audience?
Wireframing
Once you understand the purpose of your website, it’s time to plan. Wireframing is the lines drawn to help you focus on the layout of the website. Think of this part as drawing the blueprints for a house. Wireframes help show you how your website will look and feel so you can identify functionality before color schemes come into play. You’ll want to map out the structure, decide how visitors will navigate through your site and decide on the main sections (Home, About Us, Services, Blog, Contact Us).
Visuals
This is where the fun begins. With your brand guidelines in hand, start designing your website. This phase of development is about turning your ideas into a visual reality. Choose colors, fonts and images that reflect your brand’s personality. And remember, consistency is key – your website should be a seamless extension of your brand.
Content Creation
A website without content is like a book with blank pages. This phase is about creating compelling content that aligns with your brand messaging, target audience and SEO strategies. From engaging headlines to informative blog posts (like this one), every word, image and video should reflect your brand’s voice.
Your Final Checklist
After you’ve finished designing and developing your website, ask yourself these questions:
- Have I prioritized the user experience?
- Is my website responsive and functional on all devices?
- Is my design clean and uncluttered?
- Does my website have a clear visual that guides visitors intuitively through the content?
- Am I using consistent branding?
- Have I optimized my site for fast loading times?
- Are there strong CTAs to encourage visitor engagement?
By asking yourself these questions, you’ve ensured that you have a fully functional website that captivates and drives desired outcomes.
A website is a powerful tool for any business as it helps you connect with your audience in meaningful ways. By following this guide, you can create a website that’s not only visually appealing but also effective.
At JSK Marketing, we specialize in website design and management services that bring your brand to life online. Whether you’re starting from scratch or need a refresh, our team is here to help you every step of the way. When you choose us, we become and extension of your team. Contact us today to start your website transformation.
