Website Redesign Checklist Before You Hire an Agency
Deciding to redesign your website is an exciting step.
A new website can improve your brand, attract more visitors, generate more leads, and create a better experience for your customers.
But before you hire a marketing agency or web designer, there’s something even more important than choosing colors, fonts, or layouts.
Preparation.
The more prepared you are before your project begins, the smoother the process will be—and the better your final website will be.
Here’s a checklist to help you get started.
1. Define Your Goals
Ask yourself:
Why are we redesigning our website?
Your answer might be:
- Generate more leads
- Increase online sales
- Improve SEO
- Modernize your brand
- Make the site mobile-friendly
- Better showcase your services
- Improve user experience
Clear goals help guide every decision throughout the project.
2. Know Your Audience
A website shouldn’t be designed around what you like.
It should be designed around the people you’re trying to reach.
Think about:
- Who are your ideal customers?
- What questions do they ask?
- What information do they need?
- What problems are they trying to solve?
Understanding your audience creates a better user experience.
3. Review Your Existing Website
Before replacing your current website, identify what’s working—and what isn’t.
Consider:
- Which pages receive the most traffic?
- Which pages generate leads?
- What content should stay?
- What content needs updating?
- What pages can be removed?
Not everything needs to start from scratch.
4. Gather Your Branding Assets
Collect everything your agency may need, including:
- Logo files
- Brand colors
- Fonts
- Professional photography
- Videos
- Brand guidelines
- Marketing materials
Having these resources ready can save time later.
5. Organize Your Content
Many website projects are delayed because content isn’t ready.
Before your redesign begins, organize:
- Service descriptions
- About Us information
- Team biographies
- Testimonials
- Frequently asked questions
- Contact information
This is also a great opportunity to refresh outdated messaging.
6. Think About SEO
SEO shouldn’t be an afterthought.
Discuss topics like:
- Existing search rankings
- Important keywords
- Page titles
- Meta descriptions
- URL structure
- Local SEO
- Google Business Profile
Protecting your search visibility during a redesign is just as important as improving your design.
7. Make a List of Features You Need
Not every website requires advanced functionality.
Determine which features are important for your business, such as:
- Online scheduling
- E-commerce
- Contact forms
- Live chat
- Blog
- Resource library
- Customer portal
- Newsletter signup
Prioritizing features helps keep your project focused.
8. Plan for Mobile Users
More than half of website traffic now comes from mobile devices.
Your new website should look and function beautifully on:
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Laptops
- Desktop computers
Mobile-first design isn’t optional anymore.
9. Establish a Maintenance Plan
Launching your website isn’t the finish line.
Ask questions like:
- Who will update content?
- Who manages security updates?
- Who monitors performance?
- Who tracks analytics?
- Who handles backups?
A website performs best when it’s regularly maintained.
10. Choose a Partner—Not Just a Designer
Perhaps the most important decision is choosing who you’ll work with.
Look for an agency that asks thoughtful questions, understands your business goals, and explains why they’re making recommendations.
A great website isn’t simply about beautiful design.
It’s about helping your business grow.
Bonus: Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency
Before signing a contract, consider asking:
- How do you approach website strategy?
- Will SEO be included?
- Who writes the website copy?
- How do you measure success?
- Will my website be easy to update?
- What happens after the website launches?
- What ongoing support do you provide?
The answers can tell you a great deal about the agency’s process.
The Bottom Line
A successful website redesign begins long before the first page is designed.
By defining your goals, organizing your content, understanding your audience, and choosing the right partner, you’ll create a website that’s positioned for long-term success.
At Stinson Communications, we believe every website should be built with purpose. We combine thoughtful strategy, compelling messaging, responsive design, SEO, and ongoing support to create websites that don’t just look professional—they help businesses grow.
Because a website redesign isn’t just about creating something new.
It’s about building something better.
