Most website redesigns run late for the same reasons. Content is not ready, too many people need to approve, and nobody planned the move from the old site to the new one. This checklist covers what to settle before design starts and what to check before launch.
Before you start
Define the goal in one sentence. For example, more quote requests, fewer support calls, more event registrations, or a more credible presence for larger clients. Every later decision should serve it.
Name one decision maker. Collect input from many people, but have one person approve. Committees are the biggest cause of redesign delays.
Know your current numbers. Record current traffic, inquiries, top pages, and search rankings, so you can tell whether the new site is better.
Inventory existing content. List every page on the current site. Decide for each whether to keep, rewrite, merge, or retire it.
Content
- Write or update content before design is finalized. Design around real content, not placeholder text.
- Gather photos of your team, work, and premises. Real photos outperform stock imagery.
- Collect proof, such as reviews from your Google Business Profile, credentials, and project examples. Use only real, permitted material.
- Prepare legal pages, including a privacy notice that reflects any analytics or advertising tags.
Structure and features
- Map the pages and navigation around what visitors need, not your org chart.
- Decide which forms, booking, payment, or member features are needed now, and which can wait.
- Identify integrations, such as CRM, email marketing, scheduling, and payments.
Moving from the old site
- Map every old URL to a new one and set up permanent redirects. This is the most important step for keeping search rankings.
- Keep page titles and content for strong pages, or improve them deliberately.
- Plan the DNS switch for a quiet time and know who can roll it back.
Before launch
Run through our launch checklist, which covers forms, tracking, redirects, speed, accessibility, SSL, and backups.
After launch
Watch analytics and search console data for the first few weeks, fix any broken links or missing redirects quickly, and compare results with your starting numbers after two to three months.
Get a sense of budget with the website cost estimator, or see our small business and company website packages.
Written by the Syntonyl team. This article is general information, not legal, tax, or financial advice.