How to Plan a Squarespace Website Redesign
Your website is often the first thing potential clients see, so it's important to make a great impression! Whether you're a small business, nonprofit, artist, author, or influencer, your site should reflect your unique vibe and offerings. A well-thought-out redesign can help you stand out, draw-in more clients, and reinvigorate how you feel about your buisness. Here’s are 5 tips to set yourself up for a successful website redesign!
1. Review Your Current Website
Start by reviewing your current site. Ask yourself:
Does the design represent my brand?
Is the website easy to navigate for my clients?
Are my services, products, and portfolio easy to find?
Is my website mobile-friendly and fast to load?
Identifying what’s working and what needs improvement will help you evolve your website so you can focus on new opportunities.
2. Set Clear Goals
Take a moment to think about what you really want to achieve. Did you design your site yourself and feel like it no longer fits your needs? Maybe it’s time to switch to Squarespace 7.1 or boost your SEO, streamline your shopping experience, or tidy up your portfolio layout. Clarifying your goals will help shape your redesign and keep the bigger picture in focus. If you're considering a redesign, it often means your business has grown, and you have a better understanding of your brand identity. A website redesign is about more than just a fresh look—it’s about enhancing functionality and reaching your business goals. So, what do you want your redesign to accomplish?
3. Gather Inspiration and Visual Elements
Collect ideas from websites that inspire you. We recommend gathering 1-5 website examples and creating a Pinterest board to organize visual elements that spark your creativity. Your website should reflect your unique style, so look for inspiration both within your industry and outside your industry. Pay close attention to layouts, color schemes, typography, and features that align with your brand’s voice.
If you’re undergoing both a rebrand and a website redesign, it’s best to complete the branding process first, as it will significantly impact on the website’s direction. Once you have key assets like your logo, favicon, brand colors, photography, and graphic elements, the website redesign will flow much more smoothly. You can learn more about logo variations in this article.
4. Focus on Functionality
User experience (UX) is everything. Your website should be smooth, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Whether you’re showcasing your work or selling products, a killer UX keeps people engaged and coming back. Here’s what to think about:
Is your navigation on point? Are menus and links clear and easy to follow?
Can visitors quickly find your services or products? Is the purchase process seamless?
Is your content built to last? Does your blog or portfolio load fast and look sharp on mobile?
Great UX should drive every part of your redesign. The easier it is for clients to interact with you, the more your website will stand out and keep them intrigued—especially in today’s fast-paced digital world.
5. Finding the Right Website Designer for Your Redesign
Partnering with the right website designer can significantly influence the success of your redesign. Since every designer has their own workflow and methods, it’s important to interview at least three candidates. Whether you’re a small business owner, creative, or artist, a professional design partner should help ease your nerves and answer any questions you may have. Here’s how to find the right fit:
Experience with Your Industry: Look for a design partner who has experience working with businesses similar to yours. This ensures they understand your field’s unique needs—especially when it comes to showcasing your creative portfolio. During your meetings, ask for examples of sites they’ve personally worked on that align with your industry or related sectors.
Clear Communication and Transparency: It’s essential to discuss their process, timelines, and pricing upfront. A good design partner should provide a clear roadmap and keep you updated throughout the project. Allow them the time to present a quote —pricing can vary depending on the specifics of your project. For us, we provide quotes after a discovery call to make sure we align with the clients goals.
Ongoing Support: Consider your need for ongoing support after your website launches. Here are key questions to ask your designer:
Support Duration: How much support do you provide post-launch? Is it a two-week period, retainer-based, or another arrangement?
Maintenance Fees: Are there any maintenance fees or hidden costs I should be aware of?
Training: Do you offer training on how to use and manage my new site?
By asking the right questions and finding a design team that aligns with your goals, you'll set your business up for long-term success online. Remember, there’s no such thing as asking too many questions—your website partner should be able to provide answers or guides to help you understand what your redesign entails. After your initial meetings, don’t hesitate to follow up to gauge how the designer interacts with you. This will be key in your decision-making process.
Looking for a design partner to make your website redesign easy?
We’ve had the honor of helping clients in many industries rethink and elevate their websites. At Nestingzone, we specialize in streamlining website redesigns for creatives and small businesses. Contact us today to see how we can bring your vision to life.
Ready to Transform Your Website?
A well-designed website can be a game-changer for the next phase of your business. Whether you’re a small business, nonprofit, or creative, embarking on a website redesign is no small task. It requires significant time, energy, and coordination, especially if your bandwidth is low. However, the right redesign can elevate your online presence and provide a fresh face for your continued growth.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be prepared for your redesign journey. If you’re interested in partnering with Nestingzone Studio, we’re eager to learn more about your project! We specialize in creating beautiful, functional websites tailored to businesses of all sizes and industries.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more!
