Redesign of Your Web Platform: 5 Crucial Elements to Ensure Its Success

Did you know that, in 2024, the average lifespan of a web platform is less than 3 years?

You read that right, 3 years.

Not 5 years.

Not 10 years.

3 years.

It may seem short, but if we stop for a moment and think about it, we realize that a lot can happen in 3 years!

Three years ago, in 2021:

• Facebook officially changed its name to Meta in order to become one of the pioneers of the metaverse
• OpenAI was still totally unknown to the public, with DeepMind from Google being the reference in terms of artificial intelligence at the time
• NFTs (non-fungible tokens) were the talk of the town
• The Perseverance rover successfully landed on Mars
• The share price of NVIDIA was $120 USD, whereas it is now $893 USD (as of March 19)

At this rate, and with the constant technological advancements we know of in terms of generative AI (welcome Sora and the generation of videos from text lines), it is therefore essential for business managers to keep their current web platform up to date.

The benefits of keeping one's digital products updated, whether they take the form of a website, platform, application, data system, cloud service, or online tool, go beyond mere trendiness.

It's a matter of security, positioning, and innovation.

As a conscientious and visionary leader, your mission is to deploy the right resources in the right place and at the right time to ensure the quality of your web presence continuously and proactively.

However, a project of such magnitude, with the disruptions and all the brainstorming it entails, can be a significant source of stress for executives and business leaders. Here are 5 guidelines to follow to minimize unforeseen events, harmonize processes and ensure the smooth progress of your next web platform redesign.

1.Establishing a Realistic Timeline and Sticking to It

Setting up a realistic timeline is the cornerstone of any successful web platform redesign. It is crucial to define precise deadlines for each phase of the project, taking into account available resources and technical constraints. For example, setting deadlines for the design, development, testing and deployment steps helps keeping the project on track. Keep in mind that adhering to this timeline is just as vital as its initial creation.

When making a timeline, it's important for all parties to articulate deliverables clearly, facilitating optimal performance from all resources involved. Frequently, deadlines are established to appease management or stakeholders without accounting for potential delays and obstacles. These delays can result in budget overruns and stakeholder dissatisfaction, ultimately hindering efficiency. Addressing such issues from the project's outset can often prevent these setbacks.

During preparatory meetings between the client and the agency (and partners, if applicable), plan buffer periods that take into account administrative, strategic and human realities. Always consider the impact that employee vacations, decision-making committees, approval processes, and scheduling conflicts can have on the timeline.

In summary, establishing a realistic timeline is the responsibility of all parties involved, and adhering to it is even more so.

2.Clearly Distinguish Your Optional (Nice-to-Haves) From Your Essential (Must-Haves) Options.

When planning a web platform redesign, it is essential to differentiate between must-have features, which are essential elements for basic functionality and achieving communication objectives and nice-to-have features, additional characteristics that can enhance the user experience but are not necessary.

For example, integrating a secure payment system should definitely be classified as a must-have for an e-commerce website, while adding a synchronous chat functionality might be considered a nice-to-have for a showcase website.

In addition to directly impacting the budget, nice-to-haves can influence the overall progress of the project by diverting efforts to elements that may ultimately prove to be unnecessary. This distinction allows resources to be focused on the most important aspects of the project and helps avoid cost overruns and delays.

During the kickoff meeting, or as part of one of the status meetings, it is essential for the client, for themselves and on behalf of their users, to articulate their needs and requirements in terms of must-haves and nice-to-haves. To avoid disappointments and misunderstandings, these must be included in the conversation between the agency and the client and be known and understood in the same way by all parties involved in the project.

Developing a grid of desired features in order of priority is a good way to effectively present to your agency what you consider essential and what is less critical to the optimal functioning of your future platform.

3.Anticipate and Plan an Annual Maintenance Budget

Planning an annual maintenance budget is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and performance of your web platform.

This budget should include provisions for system updates, security patches, hosting, and content management. While most redesign projects include the implementation of a suitable and user-friendly content management system for all, it often happens that due to internal time constraints the client may want to take advantage of update services offered by the design agency, which may include purchasing additional hours.

By anticipating such expenses and integrating them into the redesign project beforehand, you ensure the full availability of your agency to meet your needs and emergencies promptly.

It is also important to allocate funds for the evolution of the platform such as potential iterations and subsequent phases like integrating new features and optimizing performance. By relying on realistic estimates and considering market trends, businesses can avoid financial surprises and keep their website competitive.

4.Gather Key Decision-Makers

It is essential to engage all stakeholders from the outset of the project to ensure its success. This involves including representatives from various internal teams on both the client and creative agency sides, such as marketing, sales, product management, etc., as well as end users often referred to as the “real client”.

If the agency recommends involving decision-makers from the early stages of the project, do not perceive it as a challenge to your authority. On the contrary, consider it a precautionary measure to ensure a shared understanding and eliminate any ambiguity in project requirements or goals.

Establishing regular meetings to address the goals, needs and issues of all involved parties is vital to ensure that the project aligns with everyone's requirements. Typically, brief follow-up meetings, lasting between 15 to 30 minutes, occur weekly among project managers or key stakeholders, with higher-level management meetings or milestones scheduled bi-monthly or monthly, contingent upon the project's complexity.

Ultimately, transparent communication and effective collaboration among teams play a crucial role in preventing misunderstandings and delays during the redesign process.

5.Trust Your Agency

Collaborating with an experienced web development agency can make all the difference in the success of your redesign project. Specialized firms have the technical skills and resources needed to design and implement innovative and efficient solutions. Their mastery of new technologies and understanding of market trends can help set your web platform apart from the competition in your field.

Moreover, fostering a trusting relationship with your agency facilitates seamless communication and productive collaboration throughout the project lifecycle. While some clients concerned about project success may approach their relationship with suppliers cautiously, believing it ensures fruitful collaboration and mitigates the risk of unexpected challenges or budget overruns, we advocate for a different approach. Instead, we propose viewing the redesign of your web platform as a collaborative endeavor, where all parties work together to ensure a smooth and well-balanced creation process.

At Beet, we believe in collaborative creation alongside our clients. As an agency, we define a project's success by the continuous synergy achieved through collaboration with our clients to attain predefined objectives. We possess the adaptability to adjust our methods when clients embrace change, and we demonstrate efficiency, effectiveness and exceptional value when our clients place trust in our expertise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the relatively short lifespan of a web platform, which may seem discouraging at first glance, it can actually offer exciting opportunities for innovation and growth when managed and approached correctly.

By choosing to collaborate with an experienced agency and adopting a methodical approach, the redesign of your web platform can transition from a stressful and tedious process to a rewarding and beneficial experience.

By investing in a project overseen by experts, you can ensure not only the sustainability of your platform but also create an environment conducive to the continuous growth of your business in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

Ultimately, a successful redesign goes beyond mere technical updates. It is a chance to push the boundaries of innovation, strengthen your online presence, and build a viable digital future for your organization.

Want to seize the opportunity? Schedule an appointment with one of our experts today!