Often people say if something isn’t broke, don’t fix it. You might think your website is working just fine, but if it’s stopping your brand from reaching its full potential, then it is broken. Here’s a simple guide on how to migrate to a new website.
Decide what you want to change
So, you’ve decided you want to change your website. Now you just need to decide why! Make a list of all the things that you don’t like about your website. Whether that’s the appearance, the content, or the user experience, you should imagine your new website like a blank piece of paper. Carefully consider the results of your page analysis tools to find out which elements your visitors aren’t using. Copy over the things that work but leave behind the things that don’t.
Be ruthless. Migrating to a new website is one of those big decisions that a company makes just once every few years. It might also be an excellent time to make other big decisions, such as whether your brand’s logo and colours work for you. You should consider the psychological properties of colours seriously, for example, blue can provoke feelings of intelligence and trust, whereas yellow suggests friendliness and creativity.
Pick the right platform for you
Now you know what your website needs to do, you’ll need to decide the best way to do it. One of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is which platform will power your new site. If you’re running online commerce, platforms such as Magento are trusted by big brands across the world. They offer a wide range of ready-made features which are fully customisable, so you can bring your vision to life exactly how you want it.
With so many options, it’s also essential to seek the advice of someone who knows how to use the system. Teams with a lot of experience of the platform, such as Manchester magento developer can help guide you to which features will enhance the functionality of your website. There’s no point using a platform that can do virtually anything if you’re unable to pick out the tools that will help you build the best website. It’d be like buying a Ferrari and never moving out of second gear!
Testing
Once you’ve decided on how your website should look and how it should function, it’s time to check that it all works in the way you want. Set up a small trial section on your server and put yourself in your customers’ shoes. If you’re not happy with anything, then your web developers can offer you alternatives.
Curate your content carefully
Once you’re happy with your website, take some time to create all the content you want for your new website. Although there may be a temptation to get your new website up and running as soon as possible, you don’t want to launch a website with very little on it. For example, if your website has a blog consider publishing four or five exciting entries for people to read rather than just the traditional ‘welcome to our new website’ post. Make sure you proofread them carefully, as mistakes can give a wrong first impression of your brand.
Even more testing
Before you complete your website migration, it’s essential to thoroughly check everything. Not only the functionality of your new website but that your old pages redirect to the right content on your new site. Once that step is complete, then it is time to enjoy the benefits of your new website.
