Agree on the reason for the redesign
Identify the problem: the brand has changed, the offer is unclear, mobile navigation is awkward, editing is difficult or a feature is missing. Set an observable goal, such as making services easier to find or simplifying the enquiry process.
Inventory pages and content
Record public URLs, important copy, images, downloadable files and project pages. Review which pages receive traffic or enquiries. Decide what to keep, rewrite, consolidate or retire before designing a replacement structure.
Document existing functionality
List forms, bookings, payments, search, account features and third party integrations. Check where enquiries currently go and who owns the accounts. A new design should not quietly lose a business critical function.
Plan the new information architecture
Map the main services and buying questions to a clear navigation structure. Keep related topics together and give each page a purpose. Explain why a URL or page needs to change rather than changing everything for visual consistency.
Map URLs that will move
Where a useful URL changes, plan a permanent redirect to the closest relevant replacement. Avoid sending every retired page to the homepage. Preserve important content where appropriate and update internal links to the new destinations.
Keep measurement working
Record the current analytics and Search Console setup. Verify the same meaningful events after launch, including successful enquiries and bookings where measurable. Comparing results requires consistent measurement and enough time to observe the change.
Validate before and after launch
Check desktop and mobile layouts, forms, navigation, status codes, canonical URLs, sitemap and crawl controls. Inspect representative pages after launch and monitor errors. A migration can still produce search fluctuations; a careful plan reduces avoidable problems but cannot promise none.
Define the handover
Agree editing access, documentation, account ownership, hosting and support. A redesigned website should leave the business with a clearer experience and a practical way to keep it current.
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