Thinking About Redesigning Your Website? Read This First.

Step 1: Ask Yourself — Why Now?

Redesigning a website isn’t cheap or quick. So the first question is: what's driving this decision? Some common reasons:

• “It looks old.” Okay, but what exactly makes it feel outdated?

• “Nobody is contacting us.” Is the site hard to navigate? Are CTAs missing? Or are you not driving traffic to begin with?

• “Competitors look better.” Understandable — but what does “better” mean to you?
  
  

👉 Reality check: Redesigning for the sake of “looking nice” often ends up with you spending money... and getting no ROI.

Instead, define the core problem. Is it a traffic issue (marketing)? A conversion issue (UX/UI)? A branding issue (positioning)?
Each one points to a different kind of solution.

💡 Tip: Don't just hantam redesign for fun, ya. Later your boss ask, “Spend all that money for what?” — you need solid reasons.

Step 2: Define Clear Goals (Not Just “Make It Nice”)

Vague goals = vague results.

Instead of saying “we want a better website,” aim for:

• Increase quote requests from 10 to 30 a month.

• Reduce bounce rate from 80% to 50%.

• Make it easier for customers to understand what we do.

• Optimise for mobile so people don’t cabut after 3 seconds.
  
  

When goals are clear, designers and developers can prioritise the right things — whether that’s speed, content, layout, or structure.

🎯 Pro Tip: Tie website goals back to business KPIs. If your business wants more leads, the site must be designed to convert, not just impress.

Step 3: Audit Your Current Website

Before tearing everything down, understand what’s already working.

Ask yourself:

• Which pages get the most traffic?

• Are people dropping off at a certain point?

• Which parts of the content are outdated or confusing?

• Is your site loading fast on mobile?
  
  

Use tools like Google Analytics, PageSpeed Insights, or even free heatmap tools to see how people interact with your site.

🧠 Mental Model: Don’t redesign blindly — refactor strategically. Treat your website like a house. Maybe it needs a new coat of paint. Maybe the wiring is all rosak. But maybe the foundation is solid and you just need to renovate.

Step 4: Revisit Your Brand Story

Your website is more than a digital brochure — it’s your online pitch.

So before jumping into mockups and fonts, ask:

• Who exactly are we speaking to? (Not just “everyone” — be specific.)

• What makes us different?

• What feeling should someone get when they land on our homepage?

• Is our voice more formal (like a law firm) or friendly (like a local café)?
  
  

And please — don’t just copy someone else’s brand vibe. Malaysian businesses often clone what’s trending. But your story should be uniquely you.

✍️ Tone Tip: Whether you're selling nasi lemak or SaaS, your website should "sound" like your brand — not like ChatGPT or a recycled template.

Step 5: Plan Your Content First, Not Design

This one’s counterintuitive, but crucial: content before design.

Why? Because the purpose of your site is to communicate, not just decorate.

Start with:

• What do we want to say? (Homepage, About, Services, etc.)

• What questions do customers always ask? Put answers on your FAQ or product pages.

• What proof do we have? Testimonials, case studies, or certifications?

• What's the journey we want the visitor to take?
  
  

Then only design around that. If you skip this step, you’ll end up with a beautiful site that says... nothing useful.

🧩 Framework: Think in “jobs to be done.” What job is each page supposed to perform?

Step 6: Choose the Right Partner (Not Just the Cheapest)

Let’s be real — in Malaysia, banyak orang want to find “cousin’s friend” to build the site cheap-cheap. But good design isn’t about price — it’s about fit.

Ask your potential partner:

• Do they understand your business goals?

• Can they show past results, not just pretty screens?

• Do they handle SEO, or just visuals?

• Do they provide support after launch?
  
  

Also, don’t be afraid to ask how they think. A good agency should challenge you, not just say “yes boss.”

Step 7: Build for the Long-Term

A good website is not a one-time thing. It should evolve as your business evolves.

Ask:

• Is it easy for you (or your team) to update content?

• Can it integrate with marketing tools — like email, chat, CRM?

• Is it mobile-optimised and SEO-friendly?

• Is it future-proof — or stuck in 2015 tech?
  
  

And remember: don’t wait 5 years to touch your site again. Schedule quarterly check-ins. Small improvements = big impact over time.

🧱 Mindset Shift: Your website is not a project. It’s a product — and like any product, it needs maintenance, updates, and feedback loops.

TL;DR — Before You Redesign, Think Like a Strategist

Here’s a recap:

1. Know your real reason for redesigning.

2. Set measurable goals, not vague ones.

3. Audit what’s already working.

4. Revisit your brand voice and message.

5. Prioritise content over colours.

6. Choose partners who understand business, not just code.

7. Build with future growth in mind.
   
   

Ready to Redesign? Let’s Talk.

If your business is ready to level up — with a website that not only looks good but works hard for your brand — I would love to help. Here are more tips on redesigning your website.

I specialise in strategic, performance-driven websites for Malaysian businesses. No fluff, no “template punya kerja.” Just clear thinking, clean design, and conversion-friendly builds.

👉 Let’s have kopi and chat. Email in: [email protected]