Website Redesign Checklist (10 Tips to Enhance UX in 2024)

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We all sometimes land on websites that just don’t click. You may find such websites clunky, outdated, or just plain dull. It’s not just you. 59% prefer visually appealing, well-designed websites over basic, uninspiring ones.

Site Architects has created a free website redesign checklist that covers everything you need to know before, during, and after your redesign. Plus, integrateing SEO into the mix!

Keep reading to learn everything you need for an SEO-friendly website redesign checklist! And hey, don’t forget to subscribe to Search Miners for the latest marketing insights, tips, and tricks delivered straight to your inbox!

Why Do You Need a Website Redesign Checklist in 2024?

If your site feels stuck in the past or isn’t user-friendly, it’s probably time for a refresh.

Here’s what you should start with for a website redesign process:

1. Set Clear Goals

Before you start tinkering with designs and layouts, ask yourself why you must redesign your website.

Once you have your “why,” define goals. For example:

Increase traffic by 20% within six months.
Reduce the bounce rate by 15%.
Double the number of leads generated.

Goals give your redesign a direction. Without them, you are flying blind!

2. Mobile Optimization

Today’s a mobile-first world. Mobile optimization is no longer optional. Mobile devices account for more than 52.2% of website traffic. Your website should look fantastic and work flawlessly on smartphones.

It means:

Responsive design: Your website’s layout should automatically change to different screen widths.
Touch-friendly buttons: People use their fingers, not a mouse. Make buttons large and easy to tap.
Readability: Fonts and images should be appropriately sized for small screens.

3. Website Speed

We have all been there, clicking on a website link only to sit and watch a blank screen load slowly. If your site doesn’t load within 3 seconds, you could lose over half your visitors!

Solution? Speed is everything.

Some quick tips to boost speed:

Optimize images. Resize large images and use formats like WebP to reduce their file size.
Minimize plugins because too many can slow your site down, especially on WordPress.
Improve hosting. Cheap hosting can often lead to slower load times. Invest in a good hosting provider.

4. SEO Best Practices

Can you imagine having a beautifully redesigned website that no one ever sees? Without SEO, your site could be invisible to search engines.

Your redesign should go hand-in-hand with SEO. While revamping your site, don’t forget these top SEO tasks:

Keyword research: Make sure your site targets the keywords that potential customers are searching for.
Meta tags: Each page should have a unique and optimized meta title and description.
Headings and Subheadings: Use the H1, H2, and H3 tags to arrange the content properly.
Image alt text: Provide descriptive alt text for all photos to improve search rankings.
Internal linking: Include links to other relevant pages on your website.
Fix the broken links: Outdated links can lower your rankings. Check if everything works.

Pro tip: Don’t overlook old content! Updating older pages can give you a major SEO boost.

5. Content Audit

This is an important part of your website redesign checklist. Nothing turns visitors off faster than stale, outdated, or boring content. A content audit is a must. Go through each page and ask yourself:

Is the information accurate?
Does the content give your brand a voice?
Is it easy to read?

If the answer is “no” to any of these, it’s time to refresh. Here are some tips:

Use brief paragraphs: To make it easier to read, divide large text sections into headings, graphics, and bullet points.
Keep it relevant: Ensure that all content is up-to-date and useful.
Add visuals: Infographics, movies, and visuals can help make material easier to understand.

6. Visual Design

If your website looks like it was built in 2005, it’s going to hurt your brand’s credibility in 2024.

94% of first impressions about your website are design-related. A sleek, modern design makes visitors more likely to trust your brand.

Consider modern design elements like:

Clean, minimal layouts: Less is more! Avoid clutter and adopt simplicity.
Bold typography: Large, clear fonts make your site more readable and visually appealing.
Vibrant colors: Use eye-catching colors to highlight important areas, but don’t go overboard.

7. Navigation and Structure

A complex website structure is ideal for annoying visitors and driving them away. Visitors usually decide whether to stay on a website or depart in less than 10 seconds. If they can’t get what they need fast, they leave!

Visitors should be able to find what they need within seconds. Here’s how to make your navigation user-friendly:

Keep it simple: Stick to clear, logical categories and limit the number of menu items.
Use familiar terms: Avoid clever but confusing labels in your navigation menu. Use terms people know.
Add a search bar: If users can’t find what they are looking for quickly, a search bar can save the day.

8. Calls to Action (CTAs)

A weak or hard-to-find CTA can lead to lost sales or missed leads. Well-designed CTAs can boost conversions by 47%. That’s huge! Here are some ways to improve them:

Use strong action verbs: Phrases like “Shop Now,” “Get Started,” or “Download Free Guide” work better than vague CTAs like “Submit.”
Make them stand out with: For attention-grabbing effects, use larger buttons or contrasting colours.
Keep them above the fold: Keep your CTA visible without forcing users to scroll.

9. Analytics & Tracking

If you don’t track user behavior, how will you know if your redesign is working?

Google Analytics can track and monitor these parameters:

Number of visitors: What is the number of visitors to your website?
Bounce rates: What is the rate at which visitors leave your website after arriving?
Conversion rates: How many visitors finish the desired action (e.g., register or buy)?

Make tweaks and improvements to your redesign using this data.

10. Forms & Contact Information

Last but not least, on your website revamp checklist!! Users won’t bother filling out your forms if they are confusing or lengthy. Make sure your forms are concise and direct. Use these tips:

The shorter the form, the better the chance people will complete it.
Make sure your forms work seamlessly on mobile devices.
Double-check that all your forms are working properly before launching.

Tick-Tock! Time for a website Redesign!

Feeling stressed about handling all your website redesign checklist? Let our team at Site Architects take care of it for you! With a 95% client satisfaction rate, we specialize in helping businesses with smooth website redesigns.

Explore our portfolio to see how we have helped businesses just like yours!

10 Tips for a Successful Website Redesign in 2024