All you need to know about B2B website redesigns

What is a website redesign vs rebuild?

Website redesign and rebuild are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they represent processes with different implications.

A redesign is like a home renovation. It involves modifying or updating the visual design, components, content, or user interface of the website while keeping the core structure intact. The functionality of a redesign includes changing colours, fonts, images, or restructuring the placement of features for better usability.

On the other hand, a rebuild involves dismantling the existing structure and creating a new website from scratch. It is a comprehensive, ground-up process that requires substantial resources and time, but it allows for a complete reset and upgrade of technology, design, and content strategies.

How do I know when I need to redesign my website?

While external factors, such as competition and trends, can influence your decision, there are internal elements to consider as well, such as:

• Engagement drought: If you notice falling user interaction or engagement, it may be time for a redesign.
• Vintage trap: Vintage might be ‘in’ for your wardrobe or furniture, but when your website starts to look like it’s stuck in a time warp, it's a problem. A redesign can refresh your online presence.
• Device discord: If your website is not delivering the best user experience across all devices, a redesign that’s all about responsiveness should be on your radar.
• Business evolution: It's a point worth repeating - if your business takes on a new direction, change of services, or even a minor shift, your website should reflect that.

How to start a website redesign?

Ready to dive into the whirlpool of a website redesign? Here's a roadmap to keep you on track:

1. Define your goals: Outline what you hope to achieve with the redesign. This could be improved UX, better SEO, or reflecting brand changes.
2. Analyse your current website: Understand what works, what doesn't, and why changes are necessary.
3. Competitor analysis: Study competitors’ websites to understand what they are doing right and where they are lacking.
4. Create a redesign plan: Outline the redesign process, timelines, labour, and cost implications.
5. Communication with stakeholders: Ensure that all relevant parties are aware of the upcoming change and have agreed on the redesign process.

How long should it take to redesign a website?

The timeline for a website redesign depends on the complexity of the project and resources available. Generally, a website redesign can take anywhere between 4 to 14 weeks or more. The larger and more complex the website, the more time it takes to redesign it.

How much does it cost?

Redesigning a website can be expensive or affordable, depending on your project scope, the platform you use, and the design complexity. In general, you can expect to pay anywhere from a few thousand pounds to tens of thousands or more for a website redesign. Factors such as employing a professional website design agency, getting custom illustrations, or incorporating high-profile features will contribute to the cost.

How often should you redesign your website?

There isn't a magical "one-size-fits-all" solution. However, a good rule of thumb is to think about a redesign every 2-3 years. Why, you ask? This keeps your online presence up-to-date and makes sure you're not left behind in ever-evolving world of web design trends and technologies.

Does a redesign affect SEO?

Yes, a website redesign can affect SEO. While the redesign itself offers an opportunity to optimise your website for better search engine rankings, it can also negatively impact your SEO if not executed properly.

During the redesign process, ensure that you maintain critical on-page SEO elements such as heading tags, meta titles, and descriptions. Pay attention to mobile responsiveness, website speed, and internal linking. A well-planned redesign keeping these aspects in mind will likely have a positive impact on your SEO.

Taking it all into account, redesigning your website could be the key to keeping your B2B business in the forefront. Yes, it involves an investment of time and resources, but think about the gains - elevated visibility, increased engagement, and more conversions. It's more than worth the adventure.

B2B website redesign checklist

Kicking off a website redesign is a significant undertaking. To ensure you cover all crucial aspects of the redesign process, we've compiled a handy checklist:

Pre-design stage:

1. Define goals: Identify clear, measurable goals for your redesign. This could be to increase user engagement, decrease bounce rate, improve lead generation, etc.
2. Target audience understanding: Clearly define who your target audience is, their preferences, needs, and the problems they are looking to solve.
3. Analyse current website: Identify what works and what doesn’t on your current site. Use Google Analytics or other similar tools to track user behaviour.
4. Competitor analysis: Assess competitor websites for design ideas, UX practices, and features to implement or avoid.

Design and development stage:

1. Create a sitemap: Outline your website's planned pages and how they will intersect. This will serve as a blueprint for your redesigned website.
2. Design wireframes: Before finalising the design, create wireframes as a mock-up of your redesigned website pages.
3. SEO strategy: Ensure your redesigned site is SEO-friendly. Incorporate keywords, meta-descriptions, alt text, etc.
4. Mobile-first design: Given the increasing number of mobile internet users, your site redesign should prioritise mobile-friendliness.
5. Optimise for speed: A slow-loading site causes users to bounce. Make sure all elements are optimised for quick loading times.
6. Intuitive navigation: Your site should enable users to find what they need quickly and efficiently.
7. Call to actions (CTAs): Make CTAs clear, concise, and strategically placed to prompt users to take desired actions.

Post-design stage:

1. Testing: Test every aspect of your site before launch. This includes load times, broken links, forms, compatibility across devices, and more.
2. Analytics setup: Make sure you have analytics set up to track user behaviour, conversions, and other critical metrics post-launch.
3. Phased launch: Consider a soft launch first to identify and fix issues before a full-scale roll-out.
4. Ongoing optimisation: Post-launch, continually monitor your site's performance and make necessary adjustments for improvement.

Well, there you have it - your guide to navigating the intricate world of website redesign. Remember, the points outlined in this checklist are designed to assist you in achieving the most from your efforts. Don't rush the process; take each step mindfully. In no time you'll have a revamped website ready to turn visitors into conversions, conversations, and ultimately, customers.