A website redesign is exciting but can go wrong quickly without proper planning. I've redesigned dozens of websites for UK businesses, and here's the checklist I use with every client.
Before You Start
✅ Define Your Goals
What do you want your new website to achieve? More leads? More sales? Better brand perception? Write down 3 specific goals.
✅ Audit Your Current Site
- Which pages get the most traffic?
- Where do visitors drop off?
- What keywords do you currently rank for?
- What do your customers say about your current site?
✅ Research Your Competitors
Look at 5-10 competitors' websites. Note what you like, what you don't, and what's missing from the market.
✅ Set a Budget
Be honest about what you can invest. A good redesign doesn't have to cost thousands — but it shouldn't be £200 either.
Content Planning
✅ Plan Your Site Structure
Map out every page you need. Most service businesses need:
- Homepage
- About page
- Services (individual pages for each)
- Portfolio/work examples
- Testimonials
- Contact page
- Blog
✅ Write Your Content First
This is the #1 mistake in redesigns — starting design before content is ready. Your designer needs real content to create an effective layout.
✅ Gather Professional Photos
Stock photos are fine as placeholders, but real photos of you, your team, and your work always outperform generic imagery.
Design & Build
✅ Mobile-First Design
Ensure your designer prioritises mobile. Over 60% of UK web traffic is mobile.
✅ Clear Calls to Action
Every page should guide visitors toward a clear action — book a call, get a quote, contact you.
✅ Fast Loading Times
Aim for under 3 seconds. Compress images, choose a fast platform, and minimise unnecessary features.
SEO Essentials
✅ Set Up 301 Redirects
If your URLs are changing, redirect old URLs to new ones. This preserves your Google rankings.
✅ Unique Page Titles & Descriptions
Every page needs a unique, keyword-rich title (under 60 characters) and description (under 160 characters).
✅ Submit New Sitemap
After launch, submit your new sitemap to Google Search Console to help Google index your new pages quickly.
Post-Launch
✅ Test on All Devices
Check your site on multiple phones, tablets, and screen sizes.
✅ Set Up Analytics
Install Google Analytics 4 and Google Search Console.
✅ Monitor Rankings
Keep an eye on your Google rankings for 2-4 weeks after launch. Some fluctuation is normal.
Need Help with Your Redesign?
If this checklist feels overwhelming, that's exactly why you hire a professional. I handle all of this for every website I build. Book a free discovery call and let's plan your redesign together.
