|
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 think of the
past. By adding features to your site that
help educate your user base, ehhance
marketing efforts, as well as, develope 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.
Contact SFD
today to schedule a FREE consultation on
your current website. And get ideas on who
you can make your website work harder for
you.
About The Author
The talent behind Small
Farm Design's creative endeavors is
Craig Kistler. An award-winning designer
with years of experience in graphic
design, print advertising, illustration,
identities, and web design.
ckistler@smallfarmdesign.com
|
<< Back to "Web Design
Company" Index
|
