11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Where to start? Redesign of BIG, UGLY website!!

by WilonaWoods
9 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
    • |
Okay, Warriors, I need some HELP! I'm a non-techie with a big challenge... I have a website that has great search rankings and traffic, but the thing is FUGLY! It was originally designed by my former business partner using Dreamweaver, but the partner is no longer involved, so now I want to re-design the site and I don't know where to start!

Issue #1 is, of course, the fugliness! I want a whole new look for the site.

Issue #2 is that I'm concerned about losing my ranking/traffic after the redesign, since I've read this can be an issue.

Issue #3 is I can't make changes to the site... they were always done by my partner, who knows all about coding and programming and now it's just little ol' me. Is it possible to have the site redesigned in such a way that I would be able to do updates myself?

The website is big (2000+pages) and is an educational site with articles and a forum. I'm planning to eventually sell e-books, etc. through the site, but at this point, income is all from Google Adsense and Amazon Associates. So I guess I can add in an "Issue #4"... I'll need an e-commerce option of some kind, too!

So, who do I need to hire for this undertaking... can any web designer handle all of the above or do I need a big web design firm with SEO people, etc.?

And, remember, I am clueless, so feel free to dumb down your answers to a level a 3rd grader could understand!!

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated... thanks!!
#big #redesign #start #ugly #website
  • Profile picture of the author webunited
    Hello ,

    If you are still looking for best designer/developer, please feel free contact with me :

    Here is the link for my warriorforum:

    http://www.warriorforum.com/warriors...-services.html

    Skype : dipak.tewary1

    Cheers

    Originally Posted by WilonaWoods View Post

    Okay, Warriors, I need some HELP! I'm a non-techie with a big challenge... I have a website that has great search rankings and traffic, but the thing is FUGLY! It was originally designed by my former business partner using Dreamweaver, but the partner is no longer involved, so now I want to re-design the site and I don't know where to start!

    Issue #1 is, of course, the fugliness! I want a whole new look for the site.

    Issue #2 is that I'm concerned about losing my ranking/traffic after the redesign, since I've read this can be an issue.

    Issue #3 is I can't make changes to the site... they were always done by my partner, who knows all about coding and programming and now it's just little ol' me. Is it possible to have the site redesigned in such a way that I would be able to do updates myself?

    The website is big (2000+pages) and is an educational site with articles and a forum. I'm planning to eventually sell e-books, etc. through the site, but at this point, income is all from Google Adsense and Amazon Associates. So I guess I can add in an "Issue #4"... I'll need an e-commerce option of some kind, too!

    So, who do I need to hire for this undertaking... can any web designer handle all of the above or do I need a big web design firm with SEO people, etc.?

    And, remember, I am clueless, so feel free to dumb down your answers to a level a 3rd grader could understand!!

    Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated... thanks!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6738737].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jamaks
    Hi, impossible to advise without seeing how the site is contructed, but if it built in a good way, with the majority of the pages being controlled by the same stylesheet(s) changing the appearance may prove to be relatively easy. Color schemes for example could be changed very easily and of course carry no SEO implications.

    Layout is a little more involved but if done in a sensible fashion could enhance the search engine optimization. It all comes down to how the site is contructed as to how involved any updating work would be.

    Updating the site yourself should be perfectly possible once you have learnt the basics of which parts you can change and the effect of any change you make.

    Determine your starting point and that should give you some idea of what is involved in making the changes you would like to implement. Hope this clarifies things a little.

    Jim
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6742869].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author maywebdesigns
    Originally Posted by WilonaWoods View Post

    Okay, Warriors, I need some HELP! I'm a non-techie with a big challenge... I have a website that has great search rankings and traffic, but the thing is FUGLY! It was originally designed by my former business partner using Dreamweaver, but the partner is no longer involved, so now I want to re-design the site and I don't know where to start!

    Issue #1 is, of course, the fugliness! I want a whole new look for the site.

    Issue #2 is that I'm concerned about losing my ranking/traffic after the redesign, since I've read this can be an issue.

    Issue #3 is I can't make changes to the site... they were always done by my partner, who knows all about coding and programming and now it's just little ol' me. Is it possible to have the site redesigned in such a way that I would be able to do updates myself?

    The website is big (2000+pages) and is an educational site with articles and a forum. I'm planning to eventually sell e-books, etc. through the site, but at this point, income is all from Google Adsense and Amazon Associates. So I guess I can add in an "Issue #4"... I'll need an e-commerce option of some kind, too!

    So, who do I need to hire for this undertaking... can any web designer handle all of the above or do I need a big web design firm with SEO people, etc.?

    And, remember, I am clueless, so feel free to dumb down your answers to a level a 3rd grader could understand!!

    Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated... thanks!!
    There are many factors that have to be considered in order to give you any viable advice. I hate to say it but you should really consult a professional.
    Signature
    Buyforatweet.com - Stop giving away your promotional items. Sell them for a tweet or FB post and watch them go viral.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6747270].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author buldogg
    Show us the website
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6747793].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author phpdevelopment
      It is to difficult to advice without seeing how the site is? But If you are still looking for affordable and skill PHP developer, please feel free contact at:

      PHP Development India
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6748142].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author WilonaWoods
        Thanks for your responses... I definitely do intend to consult a professional about this, but I'm trying to figure out what kind of professional! Would any web designer be able to address the potential SEO issues and help me with setting up the website so I can do updates myself or do I need to go to a specific kind of pro?

        Or is the best bet just to go with a big web design firm that has designers, programmers, SEO people, etc?

        Thanks!
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6749815].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author ronc0011
          First of all you need to start learning everything you can about web development and design just so you can't tell what is being sold to you as a solutions to your objective. From what you are saying it sounds like you have a very large site and a number of things going on. I think one of the things you need to be leery of is getting someone involved who isn't really up to the task. You really need to educate yourself just for your own good.
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6752040].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author wellm97
    You did not mention your URL . Any how if your web site is on word press plat form than its easy to make changes in it.
    If you want not to drop ranking/traffic after the redesign then I suggest you do not change URLs of the pages.
    as you are not a programmer so I suggest you to hire an expert who can do it for you.
    We offer web site Design / Redesign services at affordable prices you may contact us at pacesol.com
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6767932].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author RichKent
    Hi Wilona - I wouldn't worry too much about the impact on SEO. As long as you keep your URLs intact, and 301 redirect any that change you'll be fine.

    It would be very helpful if you could post a link to the site. You don't have enough posts to put a link, but do it like this: sitename dot com, so we can take a look at this beast!
    Signature
    Learn more about Wordpress and SEO
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[6770978].message }}

Trending Topics