Now that the Internet has almost become the media, it is obvious that the redesign - an integral part of business development of sites. Most sites, many times without going through the process redesign, it is better sometimes - worse, each time in different ways. Sometimes redesign is when the owners of the site grow from «Design neighborly boy» to «the time has come to pay professionals». More frequently, it is the desire to keep pace with competitors, be no worse than others. The establishment, maintenance and management of the website - it is always learning by doing, because the Internet has never been at a standstill. You must be willing to redesign.
Following the decision to redesign an existing site plan becomes similar to the creation of a new site from scratch - with the same thinking of technology, design and planning work. However, there are specific problems which can be avoided, with mostly I have to deal or to observe, as do others. Avoid the following errors, it ensures that you will not desire to convert again before the end of the first redesign of the site.
Redesign for redesign
Wonder why it is you need a redesign, and on that basis make a reasonable list of improvements. Everyone knows that the visitors eventually get used to its design and structure, even if a particular implementation is far from perfect. Redesign can cause irritation in some permanent visitors to the site, so you can lose them. But do not let fears stop you, just ask the question: «raspugayu I because of the redesign more users than able to attract or retain due to the planned improvements?». If «yes», then stands a good think about what you want to do.
The neglect of view of visitors to the site
When a site just created, you may not be exactly sure what it will turn out as a result, who will visit this site, you are only about representing their audiences. Now worth paying attention to the primary objective of any project - audience site - a wealth that must be fully used before creating a new version of the site. Do not underestimate the importance of the study the views of visitors to redesign the project. If you do not want to view users previously, it is time to ask what they would like to see on the site that they do not like in the current version, which like and how it can improve the website. If you want to view users earlier, to allow time to review information received in search of direction for the development of the project. To put innovation to the users in the current version of the site for a month or two to gather opinion about these changes. Visitors to the site - so your customers, they calculated the wealth of your project, listen to their opinion.
Neglect of a competitors site
If you have competitors, they may also have a web site. Phase planning redesign will be a good time to re-evaluate and study these sites. Ask if from their visitors, what sites they like and why, find out about this view of people involved in the redesign project. Spend time on a thorough examination of the Web sites of competitors to determine what you can realize from our own even higher level.
Ignoring statistics site
Accruing site traffic and statistical information about visitors browsers - invaluable information for planning redesign. The first desire in the redesign of the site - to realize as much as possible «steep chips», to be on the cutting edge of the latest attack technologies. But before this, it is very important to verify whether your audience really evaluate these innovations, learn from them favor or benefit from the site. Any working life must have accumulated a huge number of visits for the analysis used by visitors operating systems, browsers and their versions. Examine the data and sort things out what technology can use your audience before you have decided to implement the site of advanced functionality.
The failure to look to the future
It must be understood that the Internet could undergo significant changes over the next six months, year. Failure to where you go, inability to keep a finger on the pulse of the network will force you to complete a full redesign of the process much earlier than expected. Prevent such an opportunity and originally plan a flexible and scalable site. Similarly, try to predict the development of thematic area, which belongs to your project - do you know how this area will evolve in the near future? Keep in mind that, if possible, to redesign the project. Also remember that will be a time and place to pursue some opportunities later if you decide that the visitors while they are not ready. Get a reasonable balance of old and new in terms of the draft.
Work without careful pre-planning
My experience suggests that any site, no matter whether it is created from scratch, or redesign takes place, must undergo a planning phase, which occupies about 30% of the time working on the project. For information on how to plan for Internet projects, written entire books and much more extensive article, but worth paying attention to some important questions and tips related to project planning:
What is the purpose of redesign?
What is your budget? What can you afford now, and what is waiting for the next redesign?
What are the technical limitations - speed, compatibility with browsers, technology, color, size of page - based on an analysis of audience to your site?
The content of the site? What will change is left, what will the new, that will disappear?
Anyone who would work on the site, should be involved in the planning process. There is nothing worse than a plan of work built on the basis of unrealistic goals, so that offer new opportunities and ideas, and always ask the opinion of developers about their feasibility, cost and time required.
The purpose of planning is to be a model of the site worked before will be written the first line of code. This layout can greatly accelerate the creation of a large project, giving developers a clear framework and purpose. The customer or project manager will have a clear idea of what to spend money and what is expected in the final. Designers will see the project as a whole and know what it is they who pose a clearance. Programmers, «Encoders» and database developers will appreciate the fact that he clearly articulated goals and objectives of the work.
Infinite improvement
One of the common problems redesign is that it never ends, and many continue «rummage» at the site after the test and launch the project into operation. It is clear that there is a need to correct serious flaws as they are found, but allow visitors to adjust to the new site. Believe me, if you are well done «homework», carefully planned project, implemented in accordance with the objectives and well-tested results, you should leave it for a while without change. Continue to collect feedback from visitors, traffic analysis and statistics of visits and plan the next redesign, if necessary, but soprotivlyaytes desire anything else «podkrutit». Let the site «stand». Otherwise, can be assured that will have to redesign again and again.
The lack of documentation and comments to the code
When your site has been created for the first time, you can bet that everything be done on the fly, without much planning. Now you have a chance to plan everything first, and in the process of developing documenting all actions. Imagine how much easier to make changes in the future, if all «sort through», if documented the way components interact with each site. Think how much easier would be if the site will be its standards - are described and documented. This, for example, to avoid unpleasant search of what exactly the font used to write in the graphic elements of the site. If your site is a complex software package, make a note of the progress of the project and save them, then they can form the basis of the new documentation site. Comment keep your code, then look into it himself to help other members of the team of developers, to simplify future changes. And another important rule to note - keep the correspondence, take notes and comments, documents work when fulfillment that does not fall from the current framework of goals and always have the opportunity to report on their work. Do not miss the opportunity to make life easier for all developers of the project!
Since the inception of web design to the current industry has grown and reached a point where standards are beginning to play an important role in this business. As the growing complexity and volume generated sites and programs, the best way to keep the job under control - to plan, anticipate, learn and listen. Given the experience of other developers, we can avoid many problems and, hopefully, solve new issues only, which is rapidly evolving Internet jolt us on the road!
Topic: problems, business development, web sites, Redesign, Problems redesign web sites
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