We just love that new website smell! It’s been a while in the making but we’re so excited to share our new website with the internet.
If you’ve got a web presence, it’s more than likely that there’s something about it you want to change whether a few tweaks here and there. Or possibly your business has grown so much that you need a total website redesign and overhaul. Whatever you’re going through, it happens to all us and after our ‘shoe-maker’s children’ and ‘mechanic’s car’ stories and excuses wore out, it was time.
Designing for yourself is not an easy journey either. We’ve hit delays, been on and off the project has we’ve had to do work for clients, argued over this pixel and that pixel. And whilst we’re super experienced in the website design world, the process of redesigning our own website has reaffirmed a few things which I thought we’d share…
1. Do it in a hurry or do it good
You can’t have both. Don’t get me wrong, some big projects go just as planned and when they do we sound the trumpets. But often doing things right takes a little longer than anticipated. And you know what, that’s ok with me. Doing something innovative, creative or starting from a blank canvas needs a little more time to mature, l’d say it’s like a fine wine.
When working with a wider team, it’s key for everyone to be in sync so regular check ins are a must. Communication is king in a project.
2. Having a clear vision
We’d originally planned to launch in the new year, then it was valentines but now it’s March 2016 and our vision has finally come to life. So we’re not going to stomp on everyone’s great effort by dwelling on the fact.
Having the end goal is great but we’ve also learned to break things down into smaller, more achievable tasks. Like eating an elephant, you have to take one bite at a time.
3. Give in a little
We know that aiming for perfection is futile, we aim to be a little better each day and progress is the name of the game. Not everything will be pixel perfect the first time around, everyone has different ideas and opinions so it can get heated, that’s ok just and you can give in a little.
Have a list of your ‘must haves’ and ‘nice to haves’ for your launch. If there’s anything we’ve ever learnt, it’s that a website is never finished and if you try squeeze it all in you’ll never go live.
Some how it seems like we’re never going fast enough or doing well enough but everyone struggles so hold onto that sense of humour and keep going. It’s been a long journey and we’re really excited to see what everyone thinks after you’ve had a chance to take it for a test drive.
Careful, the paint is still wet 😉