Successful Website Redesign: Before/After Checklist

Successful Website Redesign: Before/After Checklist

A successful redesign requires rigorous preparation, both technically and strategically: audit, objective setting, mapping, staging, testing, migration, post-launch optimization, performance monitoring, and communication. Use this checklist for a controlled launch without loss of efficiency.

1. Before the redesign: structured strategy

a) Definition of objectives

  • Clearly state the goals (image, traffic, conversions, performance, CMS).
  • Identify stakeholders (CEO, designer, dev, marketer) and establish a realistic timeline.

b) Global audit

  • UX analysis : navigation, loading time, user journey.
  • Content audit : page performance, duplications, appropriateness.
  • Technical audit : URLs, tags, site structure, mobile-friendliness, security.
  • Branding audit : consistency of visual identity, existing charter.

c) Inspiration & benchmark

  • Study 5 to 10 competing or inspiring sites.
  • Note what works (design, content, journey) and what can be improved.

2. Planning and prototyping phase

a) Tree structure & wireframes

  • Create or update a clear tree structure with optimal navigation.
  • Develop low-fidelity wireframes (mobile and desktop).

b) Interactive UX prototype

  • Create a prototype (Figma, Adobe XD) to test key paths.
  • Organize quick or internal user tests to validate page logic.

c) Technical choices

  • Choose CMS or technology (Shopify, Wordpress, Webflow, static, headless).
  • Check SEO compatibility, speed, accessibility, future maintenance.

3. Content study & SEO

a) Inventory of contents

  • List all pages and media (images, PDFs, blog) and define their fate (keep, merge, enrich, archive).

b) URL Mapping

  • Prepare a mapping sheet (old → new URL) for redirects.
  • Repurpose high-performing content with optimization (titles, meta, Hn, visuals).

c) Initial referencing

  • Update sitemap, robots.txt, caching, CDN, essential tags.

4. Development and testing phase (staging)

a) Secure environment

  • Host your site in staging, non-indexable, for full testing.
  • Compare crawls (content, structure, links).

b) UX & accessibility tests

  • Validate navigation, mobile adaptation, forms, contrasts, clear fields.
  • Check for compliance with accessibility standards (WCAG).

c) Quality in production

  • Ensure performance (LCP, FID, CLS), HTTPS activation, absence of 404/500 errors, script validation.

5. Publication and Migration

a) Orchestrated switch

  • Enable 301 redirects, update sitemap and robots.
  • Submit to Google Search Console.

b) Immediate monitoring

  • Monitor logs, crawl errors, traffic, bounce rate, SEO and UX performance.

6. After launch: monitoring & optimization

a) Analytical monitoring

  • Analyze GA/heatmaps to observe journeys, performing pages, bounces.
  • Adjust contents and menus if necessary.

b) User feedback

  • Offer surveys and collect feedback to improve UX and accessibility.

c) Progressive maintenance

  • Fix bugs, adjust CTAs, enrich content, ensure the platform is updated.

Conclusion

A well-planned redesign relies on careful planning, hands-on testing, and rigorous post-launch monitoring. By following this comprehensive checklist—strategic, UX/UI, content, and technical—you'll adopt a mature project approach, reduce risks, and ensure the success of your new site.

Argonauts Agency supports you every step of the way—from UX strategy to technical migration and optimized launch. Contact us for a seamless redesign.

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