Informational Article
Why Re-Design
by Craig Kistler
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 thing of the past. By adding features to your site that help educate
your user base, enhance marketing efforts, as well as, develop 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.
About the author:
Craig Kistler is a freelance web designer specializing in
graphic re-designs, complete web development, flash, e-card, and
banners, as well as, print design, identities, and stragtegies.
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