7 steps to preparing a website re-designStarting a website redesign project can elevate the blood pressure of many marketing managers who have had the pleasure or in many cases the displeasure of going through the process previously. The process can lead to many sleepless nights and some new grey hairs.
The good news is a website redesign can be an easy stress free process if you spend a little time following the below 7 steps of preparing for a Website Redesign.
The information below will help you prepare for your website redesign project . This will save you loads of time and allow your web designers to concentrate on the design and development of the site in a timelier manner.
Step 1 – Set up a dedicated folder on your computers desktop and title it “Website Redesign”. This will keep everything you gather in one central location that is easy to find not only for you but for any colleagues in case you are away when it is required.
Step 2 – Domain registrar login user name and password. Sometimes you may have multiple domain names that each have their own user id’s and passwords. If this is the case create a word document that clearly separates each domain name and their details.
Step 3 – Collect your contact information for your website hosting provider. This information should be available form your IT department. While you’re doing this it would be a good idea to also obtain a list of hosting features as your website designers may ask for this information. Your hosting features will tell you the types of database available, amount of disc space allocated to your website etc.
Step 4 - Logo files, in vector format (ie. .eps, .ai or .cdr). Simply having a .jpeg image or pdf of your logo is not enough even for a website. Designers will need the option of changing background colours, size and even placements to elements of the logo. Not having the correct file type can lead to time delays and budget increases.
Step 5 – Company style guides. Your company style guide will dictate a number of layout and graphical guidelines for your website designers. Make the existence of this document known fromm the outset of your website redesign project.
Step 6 – Analytics tracking codes. You may already have tracking codes on your website such as Google Analytics. They will need to be placed into the code for the new website.
Step 7 - Collect all images, downloadable files, .pdf files and forms that you want to be available on the website.
Having followed these initial steps in preparing for your Website Redesign will allow you to easily locate information and pass it on to your website designers when they require it. This is going to save you a lot of time and worry and help you and your website designers meet deadlines.
Even with the above preparation completed there is still some more to take place before the website redesign can happen. In my next post I will show you how to plan for the prefect website.
Be sure to subscribe to our blog via RSS so you don’t miss out on my next post.