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5 Essential Website Facelift Tips for SaaS Companies
When your company website starts to feel outdated, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to tear it down and start from scratch. Much like deciding between sprucing up your home or opting for a complete renovation, it’s essential to evaluate whether the foundation can support your vision for the future. A facelift can be just as effective if the underlying structure is sound.
Here at Aventi, we just finished our own website facelift––featuring all-new copy and design––and we’ve gathered some pivotal tips to share.
Evaluating the Need for a Facelift
Understanding the strength of your website’s foundation is key to deciding between a facelift and a full overhaul. If your site’s core — its backend technology and user experience principles — is still robust and functional, then a facelift, focusing on updating the visual design and content, may be all that’s required. It’s not about digging out the foundations but rather elevating what’s already there. Ask yourself:
- Does the website fulfill its primary functions effectively?
- Is it responsive and adaptable to various devices?
- Are the loading times and backend performance up to modern standards?
If you can answer yes to these questions, then a facelift, rather than a ground-up redesign, might be your best course of action.
Planning and Resources
Just as when redoing a home, effective website update requires meticulous planning. Start by determining your budget, which will influence the extent of changes you can implement.
Next, align your resources with your goals. Allocate resources to the most impactful aspects of the upgrade, such as securing skilled designers and developers or investing in premium content creation or an agency that specializes in web design. And, you wouldn’t have the same contractor do your kitchen counters as your bathroom cabinets, right? Ensure you’re getting the right expert for the right part of the job.
Timelines
As for the timeline, break down your website project into manageable phases, setting realistic milestones and deadlines for each. And just as in construction, where delays can be as common as the unexpected finds behind a wall, plan for the occasional detour. Build extra time into your schedule to accommodate the unforeseen challenges that inevitably arise.
Managing Expectations
Tackling a website update should be like renovating a home—one room at a time. This incremental approach allows for adjustments along the way, minimizing disruptions and enabling ongoing optimization.
In striving for an improved website, remember that chasing perfection can lead to an endless loop of tweaks. Instead, aim for significant, impactful changes and must-have updates, focusing on better functionality and user experience over perfection. The goal is to make meaningful improvements, not to achieve a mythical state of flawlessness with design (unless of course, you’re a design firm)..
Maintenance and Upkeep
Furthermore, think of your website as a living space requiring regular upkeep. By scheduling routine check-ups and updates, you ensure its longevity and relevance. Implement strategies such as:
- Continuous SEO improvements
- Regular content updates to keep the site fresh and engaging
- Back-end optimizations to ensure speed and security
And, as always, back-up your site BEFORE migration––and remember to keep some hours reserved for post-live changes and updates.
Effective Communication
Communication is as vital in web updates as it is in home renovations. Utilize project management and communication tools to keep stakeholders informed and involved, mirroring the collaborative effort needed in any successful renovation project.
Utilize tools like Slack and Trello to manage tasks and updates efficiently. Setting up a communication plan will help keep everyone on the same page and informed about progress, reducing the potential for misunderstandings.
Wrapping Up
A website facelift is an excellent opportunity to refresh your brand’s online presence without undertaking a full-scale redesign. By focusing on a solid foundation, planning, incremental updates, and continuous communication, you can ensure a smooth transition to a website that resonates with your audience and supports your business objectives.
Remember, a website is never truly “complete”—it evolves as your business grows. Keep an eye on industry trends, listen to user feedback, and be ready to adapt. This strategic approach not only revitalizes the look and feel of your site but also maintains the strength of the foundation you’ve built, ensuring your website remains a robust platform for business growth and customer engagement.
Are you looking to refresh your website with a smart, incremental approach that builds on a solid foundation? Aventi Group is your expert partner in this journey. Take a moment to explore our newly updated website and see the difference that expert insight and meticulous execution make. Visit us now to see how together we can bring this same level of detail and professionalism to your own website.
