One of the writer here at Techwalls, Shibani, wrote up 8 Great Tips to Build A Successful Website. I personally, agree with all of them and here’s 1 more with great detail:
9. RE-
Re-purpose, re-design, reconnect, re-brand, re-do and so on are always an option. The idea is that even if one has done everything correctly and according to plan, every webmaster will always have these up their sleeves.
9.1 Re-purpose
If the purpose of the website is failing, its OK. Re-purpose it.
One way is to do some brainstorming to find a new purpose. One can do so via Word Document and write down its purpose. Write down its mission, vision, objectives, goals and strategies. See if all that makes sense, if not, change some to fit.
Another way is to use some mindmapping software or web app like MindMeister then link them together with Wunderkit.
9.2 Re-design
If the design is too distracting or its no good for most monitors or mobile viewing, its OK. Re-design it.
There are loads of ways to redesign and this means both things: Web Structure (placing the buttons conveniently, navigation links, help and contact located somewhere, etc); or Web Design (Colors, gradients, contrast, logo, banner, etc).
How some webmasters do is to join a forum, and ask for reviews. Some other webmasters just straight off ask an experience web designer and have them redesign (with a small price to pay, of course).
Some web apps webmasters use to identify the need for a re-design; CrazyEgg – Use its heatmapping technology to find where your visitors click most and where it doesn’t.
9.3 Re-connect
If customers or members only came by to visit, do one thing and leaves. That leaves a great bounce rate to every webmaster’s analytics. Re-connect with them.
A webmaster can reconnect more than one way like skinning a cat (really have no idea who says that, but yeah there’s more than one way):
9.3.1 Private message or email a member who hasn’t logged in to the site for more than 60 days
Email them straight out with a short survey. If they answer the survey or have not opened their email (MailChimp can track that), remove them. If they did, good for the webmaster and better for the website.
9.3.2 Get them back with Re-targeter
A website that I discovered several days ago.
9.3.3 Comeback promotion
Offer a special discount for those members or readers to come back by giving them a coupon or enter into a giveaway competition with Rafflecopter.
9.4 Re-branding
If the brand is not recognizable enough or if you think the logo needs updating or the slogan doesn’t seem to pass the right message, re-branding is always an option.
This can be a great challenge for most webmasters. After all their hardwork to design, tweak and launch the website only to have the target market say, “I don’t like the site/product/service because its too slow/too laggy/hard to use/I don’t understand what’s going on/etc” can get anyone down in the dumps with those feedback. But if that is the case, and really have no mood to re-brand the logo and web page, give it to someone who will for a price.
9.4.1 Using Other Web Designers are perfect for such an occasion
This is where you need to spend a little bit of money to get some professional design work done. There are sites that a webmaster can leverage from like freelancing sites as oDesk.com, or hold a design competition at 99Designs.com. Let others re-design it for you.
9.4.2 Get a catchy domain name
Two ways to get a catchy domain name. You can pay one for a fiverr or go to domai.nr. Getting a web 2.0 domain name gets pretty catchy over time. Check out some other domain name suggestion services here.
9.5 If all else fails, try, try again. Re-do
If the whole website’s purpose, design, lack of members or brand is really failing, re-do but do it better. This means, work from the wireframe, host it on a better hosting service provider, get a better logo, get a better purpose, get a better domain name.
In Conclusion for the Re
Building a successful website isn’t a one-time, first-try, kind of deal. It requires more experience and be in with the web trend. I can give you that personal guarantee that your first website may not be as successful as any and that includes none other than Facemash, Mark Zuckerberg’s first website and it failed due to a conflict of personal interest and some security issues.
