Website Looking Dated? 5 Key Elements for a Redesign

Is your company website dated, tired-looking, or just not bringing in leads? In today's online economy, a website is often the first experience a new customer has with your business — and gone are the days when simply having a web presence was enough. You're literally competing for customers based on your website. Here are the five key elements to get right in a redesign.

1) Determine your budget — honestly

Web design and redevelopment can run small or large depending on your vision. Establish a realistic budget before you start: it lets a designer offer you the most cost-effective options. Be upfront — if your vision is bigger than your budget, a good designer will propose a phased approach and tell you which items will have the biggest impact first.

2) Find the right designer or developer

Ask for referrals and review portfolios until the work and style align with your vision. Know the difference between a freelancer and a firm — freelancers can be excellent, but many aren't available during business hours. Then meet your shortlist by phone or video: you'll quickly sense whether they understand your needs and whether it's a good fit.

3) Get comparable quotes

Give every potential designer the same brief — the changes you want, plus a handful of sites whose look and feel you like — so the quotes are apples to apples. Ask for references from previous projects and actually check them; that's how you learn whether they hold a timeline and a budget.

4) Agree on a timeline in writing

Once you've chosen, get the timeline in writing and ask for an updated wireframe early in the process so you can see exactly what the changes will entail. A sign-off process for each element is what makes sure you receive what you envisioned.

5) Handle design sign-off with honesty

Design is subjective, so a good designer will mock up the homepage and key pages for approval before building everything. Say plainly what you like and don't — that's your chance to steer. And know how many rounds of revisions are included in the project so the scope never surprises your budget.