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I have redesigned many a website in my time but redesigning my own website has  proven to be quite an eye opening experience.  I've learned some things I'd like to share with you.

First, let me ask if you have ever know a landscaper that had an unkempt yard?  A plumber with leaky pipes?  A housekeeper with a dirty bathtub?  I suppose it's a casualty of human nature to neglect the very thing we care for for others.  Over time, we let allcoretech.com become dated and in dire need of updating.  Social media blew in from the west and changed the face of the internet.  Web 2.0 practices ruled the headlines and yet we remained stuck in 2006.  It happens to the best of us, right?

So here we are with a new look and feel.  New functionality.  New colors.  New logo.  Am I thrilled?  Not really.  It's a start and I'm very happy that we took the leap and made it happen.  We'll continue to tweak and add to it and rearrange and get it just exactly the way we really wan it.  In the meantime, it is better and I am happy for that.

So here are my suggestions for you if you are thinking about redesigning your website:

1. Research: Before you do a thing go out and research other websites in your industry.  Take good notes.  Make a column for YES and a column for NO.  If you will be turning over your redesign project to someone else (us?), this will be invaluable!
2. Colors: Think hard about colors.  Not just the ones you like but the ones you don't like too.  There are some great websites out there that will help you build a color scheme.  Here's one: http://paletteman.com
3. Content: Sometimes a redesign doesn't have to impact your content.  The content you have on your existing site may be just fine but the look and feel is in need of revamping.  (can you say green shag carpet!)  If the look and feel is all that needs to be updated then you're in luck.  Even still, take this opportunity to look hard at the information you offer on your website.  Is it up to date?  Is it speaking to your consumer?  Now is the time to rework it.
4. Web 2.0: Be sure to consider what aspects of web 2.0 programming are right for your new site.  If you want to have a blog, that's great.  Who will maintain it?  If you want to feed your Twitter account into your home page, that's awesome.  Who will tweet regularly?  There is just one thing worse than not having a web presence.  That is having an outdated or unmanaged web presence.  Don't set yourself up for failure by creating a maintenance rich site with no one to maintain it.
5. Be Patient: Recognize that it may take a few attempts to get it right.  Don't be discouraged if you don't have a grand plan immediately.  Get the basics together, make it work and remember that today's web site is a work in progress. (not under construction!)  If you are always thinking about what you can do to improve your website then you aren't using web technology to its fullest benefit.