|
Why_Re Design
| Why Re-Design
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 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.
|
|
| |
| |
