Why Re-Design?
My
site is working fine. The links work. Content is added
regularly. We have new features. Why does my company
need a re-design?
Those
are all great things. Sites should be updated regularly,
have new features added, and by far have working links.
However, as the site grows it soon outgrows its foundation.
Leading to an unorganized use of content, poor usability,
and eventually chaos. A re-design is a perfect opportunity
to take an inventory and put things back on track.
It will also allow for a better user experience.
New
Foundation
With
any re-design it is a great time to do a little rethinking.
Looking at the current site a question needs to be
asked. What is it that people want when coming to
my site? By understanding what it is people are looking
for from your site you will be able to better position
that information within the architecture of the entire
site.
Judging
by the Cover
The
old adage "Never judge a book by its cover"
doesn't apply to your website. Users to your site
make quick and often harsh judgment calls within seconds
of viewing your homepage. By making outstanding first
impression with a crisp, clean, professional look
the user gets a sense of trust from the company behind
the site.
Follow
the Leader
Your
site could have the exact information a specific user
is looking for. However, if it takes too long for
them to locate it chances are they will go somewhere
else to find the information. By making your site
as user friendly as possible you will be able to guide
the user to specific areas of content. Bringing content
that is hidden under multiple clicks to the forefront
makes it easy for a user to locate. As well as, leads
the user to other areas of your site that they might
not have known about.
New
Experience
New
features can dramatically improve the user experience.
Online calendars that allow a user to register for
events are a perfect example of how a simple feature
increases the value of a site. No longer does the
user have to call or mail in an RSVP card. As such,
the company doesn't need a person to answer the phone
for every registration.
Cheapest
Employee
Your
website could be your cheapest employee. It has already
been mentioned that your site could make your day-to-day
tasks a think of the past. By adding features to your
site that help educate your user base, ehhance marketing
efforts, as well as, develope a sense of who your
users are you are in reality making your site work
harder for you. The simple fact is that you have a
site. Why not make it work harder and do more for
you and your company? An offshoot of adding features
like this is that your users have more interaction
with your site and your company.
Your
Future Customers
The
whole goal of a re-design is to create a better experience
for your users. There are many approaches to attain
such a goal. Maybe it is a new look, a revised navigation
scheme, or a complete overhaul. Whatever the outcome,
your site should reflect the company behind the site
and insure a sense of trust with you future customers.
Contact
SFD today to schedule a FREE consultation on your
current website. And get ideas on who you can make
your website work harder for you.
About the Author:
The
talent behind Small Farm Design's creative endeavors
is Craig Kistler. An award-winning designer with years
of experience in graphic design, print advertising,
illustration, identities, and web design.
ckistler@smallfarmdesign.com
>>
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