When it comes to redeveloping a client’s website, we follow many of the lessons espoused by world-famous Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo.
Lesson 1: Sort Content by Category
One of the first things we do as part of every website redevelopment project is define the navigation.
We do this by drafting a flow chart plotting all website content, selecting several top level tabs to define the site’s sections and sort all posts, pages, images and forms by category. This helps us keep order on the website.
As we load the content we’re better able to rein in any clutter. If several people are involved in managing the website, over time pages and posts can creep from section to section. Eventually lines get blurred and content gets harder and harder to find.
Just like a home, the website can get cluttered. Categorizing content keep everything in order and helps your customers find the information they’re looking for.
Lesson 2: Purging Feels SO Good
Changing up a website is the ideal time to take a close look at all your online content and purging wisely.
Over time we often pile new content onto our website without removing outdated information. Big mistake! While some content may become evergreen — relevant over the long term — one has to be careful to remove stale-dated news items, lapsed events and outdated posts so your website stays fresh.
As part of the redevelopment process, we purge before exporting any content to over to the new portal.
Remember, if you want to keep your customers coming back to visit your site, nostalgia is not your friend!
Lesson 3: Rediscover Your Brand
When it comes to promoting any small business or community organization, a branded website should be the cornerstone of any marketing strategy.
It’s a well known fact that the majority of consumers go online to shop and compare before they commit to buying a product or service, or supporting a local cause.
This means it’s crucial that you make a great first impression, by using your website to define your brand:
- refresh your logo and tagline
- select a complementary colour palette based on what’s trending
- integrate 1 to 3 font families that reflect your style and ease legibility
- create a set of custom graphics to round out your visual identity kit
- choose photos and illustrations that are authentic and engaging
- draft text in a style that reflects your brand and appeals to your target market
Kondo’s approach is referred to as the KonMari Method. It places great importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking. At Design House we apply these same lessons to every website we build.
Photo: Photographed a joyful Emily in the newly opened Kipnes Lantern at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa ON.
