Thinking about a website redesign? Whether your current site is outdated, hard to navigate, or just doesn’t reflect your brand anymore, a redesign can make a huge difference. But without a clear plan, it can also become overwhelming fast.
A solid website redesign checklist will help you approach the process with clarity and confidence. From content planning to platform decisions, here’s how to prepare for a smooth, stress-free website refresh.
1. Define Your Goals for the Redesign
Before jumping into design tools or layout changes, get clear on what you want your website to achieve. A website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s a tool for attracting, informing, and converting visitors.
Ask yourself:
- What isn’t working with your current site?
- What do you want your new site to do better?
- Are there features your competitors have that you’re missing?
- Is this part of a larger rebrand?
Goal setting is a crucial first step. HubSpot’s website redesign guide emphasizes the importance of aligning your site’s structure with your audience’s needs and business objectives.
Knowing your goals will guide every decision moving forward.
2. Review Your Existing Content
Go through your current site page by page. Identify what’s outdated, what still works, and what’s missing. This content audit helps you figure out:
- Which pages can be reused or repurposed
- What content needs to be rewritten or removed
- What new pages or sections you’ll need
This step also sets the stage for improving SEO by updating headers, keywords, and internal links.
If your redesign involves updating page structures or content, be sure to keep SEO in mind. Moz’s website redesign SEO checklist offers helpful tips to maintain your rankings during the transition.
3. Understand Your Audience’s Needs
Your website is for your customers, not just for you. Think about what your audience needs to see when they land on your site. A great website redesign checklist includes user experience questions like:
- What information are they looking for first?
- Is it easy to contact you?
- Are your services clearly explained?
- Does your site work well on mobile?
Answering these questions helps ensure your new site serves your audience better than before.
4. Gather Branding and Visual Assets
Design is about more than colors and fonts—it’s about brand alignment. Make sure your logo, brand colors, typography, and visual elements are all up to date and ready for use.
If you’re rebranding alongside the redesign, this is the time to update your visual identity across all platforms.
Need help with that? Check out our branding services.
5. Map Out Your New Site Structure
Create a simple sitemap of the pages your new website will include. This gives structure to the design process and ensures everything important has a place.
Typical pages to include:
- Homepage
- About Us
- Services or Products
- Portfolio or Case Studies
- Blog or Resources
- Contact Page
- Legal pages (Privacy Policy, Terms)
Use this as a foundation for your wireframes or design brief.
6. Set a Realistic Timeline and Budget
One of the biggest sources of stress during a redesign is misaligned expectations. Be honest about how much time you can commit and what your budget allows. This helps your designer or agency work more efficiently and avoid scope creep.
You don’t need everything done at once. Consider phasing the redesign or launching a strong foundation first, then adding features over time.
7. Choose the Right Design Partner
Whether you’re working with a freelancer, agency, or doing it yourself, choose someone who understands your goals, audience, and industry. Ask to see samples of past work and get clear on deliverables before the project begins.
At BS Creative Co., we specialize in clean, strategic designs for small businesses that want more than just a pretty website.
We offer free consultations, to get a better picture of your specific needs.
Final Thoughts
A website redesign doesn’t have to be a hassle. With the right planning, a clear vision, and a trusted creative partner, you can launch a site that not only looks better, but also works better for your business.
Use this website redesign checklist as your guide, and turn the process into a refresh—not a headache.