Improving an Existing web Site

Because the web is always developing, and users' needs are constantly changing, you need to ensure that your web-site is constantly improving as well.

The cornerstone of your efforts to improve and refine your web-site is good statistics. In addition, you should run a user survey now and then, as well as the occasional user test. You also need to have a good idea of your company's supporting strategy. If your organization hasn't done this yet, do it now!

Here are some useful tutorials for a top-down perspective on the refinement of a web-site:

The big picture - free tutorial (PowerPoint)

Strategic questions at start-up and in refinement - free tutorial (PowerPoint)

The To-Do List - What you need to remember when refining your web-site (word document)

Once you have examined your guidance parameters mentioned above (strategy, statistics and user surveys/testing) and know which direction your web-site needs to go, it is time to make changes.

However, it can be an expensive mistake to conclude that you need a new web solution or design to improve your web-site. Far from it! Oftentimes, it is more than enough that the web editor makes the necessary changes in content, information architecture and/or lay-out. If and when it becomes clear that you need something your technical solution does not offer, or that your design does not convey the desired look or feel, then it is necessary to start a new web development process.

Nevertheless: Do not begin this process until you have answered both strategic and user-related questions!