Website Design
Website Redesign Checklist: What to Evaluate Before You Rebuild
Before redesigning an outdated website, evaluate design, usability, SEO, speed, conversion paths and content so the rebuild improves results.
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Website Project Brief Template
Plan the goals, audience, pages, content, functionality and requirements before the website project begins.
14 sectionsPublished Aug 7, 2026Smartlance Designs
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01
Project Overview
Start with the basics so anyone reading this brief understands what the project is.
Optional. Include if you already have a live site.
02
Business & Website Context
Give enough context for someone to understand the business behind the website.
Locations, service areas, or online-only.
Optional. Names or short notes are enough.
Optional. One URL per line.
03
Goals
Clarify what the website should achieve — and how you would recognise improvement.
The single most important outcome for this project.
Describe what success looks like in your own words — for example clearer enquiries, easier booking, or stronger search visibility. Avoid inventing numeric targets you cannot verify yet.
04
Audience
Describe who the website is for and what they need when they visit.
Examples: search → service page → contact; social ad → landing page → book; referral → about → enquire.
05
Services / Products
List what the website needs to present clearly. E-commerce fields appear only when relevant.
Which should be most prominent?
06
Website Structure
These page ideas are prompts, not a mandatory sitemap. Tick what you expect to need and note anything else.
07
Content & Assets
Note what you already have and what still needs work. Use real, verified customer/project material only for case studies and testimonials.
08
Brand & Design Direction
Describe the look and feel you want. Presets are not required — plain language is enough.
Free text is fine. Example words you might use: calm, bold, editorial, minimal, practical, premium — only if they fit.
URLs or names.
Navigation, layout, tone, imagery, clarity, etc.
09
Functionality & Integrations
List the actions visitors should take and any tools the site may need to connect with.
Name the tools only. Do not include passwords, API keys or tokens.
10
SEO & Search
Capture search priorities without sharing login details for analytics or SEO tools.
11
Conversion & Measurement
Define what should be measured after launch — for example form submissions or bookings. Related terms: CTA and conversion rate.
12
Platform & Technical Requirements
Platform choice should follow requirements — not the other way around.
Choose a preference if you have one, or leave it open. Platform should follow requirements.
What should be easy to update without a developer?
Hosting, security, accessibility, performance, or anything else. “Not sure” is fine.
13
Project Constraints
Capture timing, budget comfort and what matters most if trade-offs appear.
Optional. A fixed date reason if you have one.
Optional. Share a range only if you want to. Do not treat this as a quote.
14
Final Notes
Anything else that would help someone plan or quote the work. Describe reference files in text only — there is no upload here.
List file names or types only (brand PDF, sitemap, analytics export). No uploads in this template.
Your Project Brief
Start filling in the sections above — your brief will appear here.
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Related guide: Website redesign guide · Already building or preparing to launch? Redesign checklist
Related planning resources
- The Complete Website Redesign Guide
Useful when an existing site is being redesigned or rebuilt.
- WordPress vs Webflow: Which Is Right for Your Website?
Helpful when the target platform is still undecided — not the only options.
- Explore Platforms
Already building or preparing to launch?
Website Redesign Checklist
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