To Be or Not To Be….actually to Redesign or Not?

Once upon a time along came a guy, he had this great widget he wanted to tell the entire world about, but wasn’t sure how to do it. Direct mail, advertising, stand on the roof tops and shout it to the world? He decided to do a little of all the above, but set his sights on creating a website. His efforts from print advertising helped with the content of the site, he found a designer who he liked and whose previous work seemed to fit the bill, so his widget’s website was born.

Fast forward 5 years and the same guy is still using the same site, with the same text, the same images, and the same design. The designer he liked no longer seems interested in working on his site full-time, but would rather woo new clients and the worse part is that his site is not getting the reaction from customers it once did.

Sound familiar? We have heard this same scenario many times from clients and want to tell you that there are many options out there to liven up your site and get people buzzing about it again. Sure there’s the full blown redesign, and if you have the budget all the bells and whistles can be yours, but it’s not always the most economical. Here are some ideas you can go to the brainstorming table with when you meet with potential designers:

1. What about a new look for our graphics?
2. How can we say the same thing but in a more up-to-date manner?
3. How can the site be more user friendly?
4. Can we update a new site ourselves with text and photos?
5. Where does the site rank in search and how can we improve it?
6. What do our current customers think of our site?
7. What are our competitors doing on their sites?
8. Seriously, don’t laugh….what do you as a designer think of the current site?

OK, as a designer the last question is sometimes a hard one to answer, but with the right approach even the ugliest website still has to have something good about it…like a fire engine red background with sunshine yellow text reminds me of a great day picnicing with my family

After you’ve received answers to your questions, analyze your budget. If a new website is feasible definitely go for it. The web is growing by leaps and bounds and you only get one chance at a good impression. So when the world comes knocking for your widget, invite them in for a closer look and teach them about it through marketing…..through your website.

For some one on one consultation about your current website, give Darlene a call at graphXdiva web design (570.647.8301) or email her.