Website redesign checklist for small businesses

Open your site on your phone. Can you read text without zooming? Can you tap phone numbers and submit the contact form? Does the menu work?

Check your top three pages - homepage, main service page, contact. If any fail on mobile, prioritise layout in the redesign.

Does the homepage explain what you do in one sentence? Are services listed clearly? Is outdated content - old prices, closed locations, retired services - still live?

Redesigns are the right time to tighten copy, not paste old paragraphs into new boxes.

Slow sites lose enquiries. Check load time on mobile. Broken SSL warnings destroy trust instantly. Fix hosting and technical foundations during redesign.

CH Digital plans include managed hosting and SSL - common sources of post-launch problems on old DIY sites.

List pages that rank or receive traffic in Google Analytics or Search Console. Preserve URLs where possible. Redirect old URLs if paths change.

Ensure each important service has a dedicated page with a clear title and heading.

Are project photos real? Are credentials visible? Is there one clear primary CTA per page? Are enquiry forms short enough?

Redesigns should strengthen the path from landing to enquiry - not add decorative clutter.

Before redesign kickoff, gather logos, brand colours, service list, areas covered, credentials, project photos and team bios. Missing assets delay launch more than design work.

Assign one decision-maker for approvals - too many reviewers slow feedback loops and push launch dates back.

Before go-live: test all forms, check mobile on two devices, verify SSL, proofread contact details, test speed, and confirm analytics if used.

CH Digital provides private preview before launch so you complete this checklist on a staging view first.

A refresh updates design and enquiry flow while keeping much of the content. A full rebuild is warranted when the underlying platform is failing, security is neglected, or page structure no longer matches your services.

CH Digital advises after reviewing your URL - sometimes a focused refresh on a monthly plan delivers faster results than a lengthy rebuild.

Document baseline metrics before redesign - enquiry count, top entry pages and mobile bounce rate - so you can prove improvement after launch.

After relaunch, watch enquiry volume for two to four weeks. Compare calls and form submissions to the month before launch.

Set a quarterly review to update photos, services and seasonal messaging. Websites decay when nobody maintains them - monthly support plans cover agreed updates.