Insights
Planning a website relaunch in five steps
A relaunch goes further than a redesign: structure, content and often the CMS change too. Five steps from analysis to launch that protect your visibility and enquiries.
Redesign and relaunch
A new website with a redirect plan for every page, so rankings and content are kept.
Rankings and content survive the move.
A redesign is due when the tech, design or structure no longer fits the business. The biggest risk is the move itself. Lost rankings, missing content or downtime often cost more than the new website.
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We start with an analysis of your data, content and technology, and set measurable goals from it. Planning, design, development and SEO sit with the same people, so nothing gets lost between agencies.
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Every URL with traffic gets a 301 redirect during the move. We migrate the metadata and test everything on a staging server first. Accessibility to WCAG 2.2 AA and data protection are planned in from the start.
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After launch we check indexing, visibility and errors, and train your editors. If you need it, the same team takes care of hosting, updates and maintenance.
Scope of work
From analysis to training: we combine these parts to fit each redesign.
We review navigation, content, technology and data. This shows what stays, what changes and how much work makes sense.
We record every URL and its rankings, plan 301 redirects and migrate the metadata. After launch we monitor indexing and visibility.
We find out who uses your website and what they are looking for. The findings shape structure, content and tone.
The technology follows your requirements and team, for example Statamic, Laravel, Shopify or a headless CMS. Speed and security are planned in from the start.
We agree goals, metrics, scope and timeline up front. Every decision in the project is measured against this plan.
We connect forms, CRM, shop systems, newsletters and analytics. Tracking is GDPR-compliant and managed through a consent tool.
Before launch we test on real devices and browsers. We check accessibility to WCAG 2.2 AA, Core Web Vitals and every redirect.
The design grows out of your brand and your users’ needs. A component system keeps every page consistent.
We train your editors on the new system. After launch, the same team can take on hosting, updates, monitoring and ongoing development.
We revise existing content and write new copy for the most important user flows. Outdated pages are merged or redirected.
20 topics in website redesign
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Responsive redesign for mobile devices
A redesign that starts with the smartphone, with fast pages and touch-friendly controls.
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Visual website redesign
A new look based on your brand, with clear navigation and protected rankings.
Planning and analysis, 6 topics
- Website redesign strategy A clear strategy ties your website redesign to measurable goals, from the first analysis through to ongoing operation.
- Workshops to prepare a website redesign Workshops held before a website redesign settle goals, requirements and priorities with everyone involved.
- Technical website audit before a redesign A technical audit shows which parts of your website are still sound before you commit budget to a redesign.
- An MVP website as a redesign strategy An MVP website puts the core of your new site online early, then grows it based on real data.
- Optimising your existing CMS Targeted optimisation brings your existing CMS up to date when a full rebuild would cost more than it returns.
- Rebranding and website adaptation Adapting your website carries a new brand consistently into its design, navigation and content.
Migration and rankings, 6 topics
- Content migration with a redirect plan A planned content migration moves every page across and protects rankings and traffic with redirects and monitoring.
- SEO-safe website redesign and migration Complete redirects, a clean technical foundation and close monitoring protect your rankings through a website redesign.
- Planning a CMS migration A well-planned CMS migration moves your website to a new system without losing content, rankings or editorial time.
- Restructuring content with a content hub Restructuring organises content that has built up over time, so users find things faster and take the next step.
- Redesigning multisite projects A multisite redesign brings domains, brands and languages together on one platform and cuts maintenance effort and running costs.
- Temporary microsites during a redesign A temporary microsite lets you publish new topics during a long website redesign without waiting for the new site.
Design and technology, 8 topics
- Visual website redesign A visual redesign gives your website a look that fits your brand and guides visitors clearly.
- Responsive redesign for mobile devices A redesign that starts from the smartphone gives your website fast loading times and controls designed for the thumb.
- A consistent redesign across all channels A consistent redesign brings your website, newsletter, applications and other channels into line, in both look and language.
- Campaign-ready website redesign A campaign-ready redesign lets your marketing team launch campaigns without developer time and measure them properly.
- Relaunching with Core Web Vitals in mind A redesign built around the Core Web Vitals makes your website measurably faster, from server and code to third-party scripts.
- Accessibility in a website redesign Building accessibility to WCAG 2.2 AA into a redesign from the start costs far less than retrofitting it later.
- Legally compliant website redesign Getting data protection, consent and mandatory legal information right in a redesign lowers the risk of cease-and-desist letters and fines.
- Website redesign with analytics set-up Measurement is planned and built alongside the new website, so reliable data is available from launch day.
Redesigns for PlanetHome, VIACTIV and Ardo
Frequently asked questions
Not if the move is planned carefully. We record every URL in advance, set up 301 redirects and migrate the metadata. After launch we watch indexing and traffic, and act at once if anything looks wrong.
That depends on your content, team and integrations. We work with Statamic, WordPress and Shopify, among others, and with headless set-ups based on Laravel. We recommend the system that fits your needs.
That depends on the scope. In the initial call we discuss goals, content and technology. You then get a realistic timeline and a budget range.
