A question we frequently get asked is, "how do we know when it is time to redesign our Web site?" The answer undoubtedly varies.
The first thing to analyze is your existing Web presence. What kind of traffic are you receiving? Are you getting a lot of calls from Web site users? When you navigate the site, is it easy to find what you are looking for? Is the data still current or do you still list products that have been discontinued since 1999? Make a list of the things you like and don't like about your existing site. This will give you a good starting point.
The next thing to do is to talk to a few of your customers and ask them what they think of your site, if they use it often, etc.. This will provide you with outside feedback and will hopefully generate ideas for your next step, which is to generate a wish list. This list should contain features or functionality that you'd like to see incorporated into your site. While some of the items may be cost prohibitive, it benefits you to know that and us to know the direction you're looking to go. On the flip side, something you think might be too expensive may in fact, cost less than you think.
Finally, take a look at your competitor's Web sites and see what they are doing. In addition, make a list of Web sites that you frequent with notes about what you like or don't like about them. This will give us a sense of your design taste. Though almost every customer says "I want my site to look like nothing else that's out there," there are certain characteristics that are prevalent in well-designed Web sites.
When this process is complete, you should have a good idea as to how your Web site stacks up and whether you're in need of a redesign. You may complete this process and decide that your site is doing as well as it can currently. You may also conclude that your current site is hurting more than it's helping your business. Either way, it's worth the time to evaluate how your Web site is performing because it is the one marketing tool that is accessible by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
WebSolutions is a professional Web site design, development, and hosting company based near Chicago. Their expertise in eCommerce has been highlighted in print and television and their custom developed solutions and pre-built shopping cart application (The Marketplace) has been successful for businesses nationwide. Jon Kee handles all sales and marketing related activities for WebSolutions and can be reached by phone at 630.375.6833 or email @ sales@wsol.com. Visit us online: http://www.wsol.com