{"id":137,"date":"2022-04-04T02:16:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T02:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/?p=137"},"modified":"2022-04-02T18:33:59","modified_gmt":"2022-04-02T18:33:59","slug":"when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/","title":{"rendered":"When Websites Redesign: How to Ease the Transition"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_138\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-138\" style=\"width: 890px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-138\" src=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/website-redesign.jpg\" alt=\"website redesign\" width=\"900\" height=\"506\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/website-redesign.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/website-redesign-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/website-redesign-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/website-redesign-1024x576.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-138\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><center><a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/responsive-web-design-mac-imac-1166833\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Clovis_Cheminot \/ Pixabay<\/span><\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\">CC0 1.0<\/span><\/a><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/#Web_sites_occasionally_have_to_be_recoded_even_large_websites_with_regular_visitors_in_the_hundreds_of_thousands_or_millions\" >Web sites occasionally have to be recoded, even large websites with regular visitors in the hundreds of thousands or millions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-6' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-6'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/#The_most_significant_action_for_the_webmaster_to_take_is_to_notify_the_users_well_before_the_changes_will_be_held\" >The most significant action for the webmaster to take is to notify the users well before the changes will be held<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-6'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/#This_points_to_another_step_the_webmaster_can_take_to_ease_the_transition_%E2%80%93_consulting_with_as_many_users_as_possible_whether_through_polls_forums_or_e-mail_groups\" >This points to another step the webmaster can take to ease the transition \u2013 consulting with as many users as possible, whether through polls, forums, or e-mail groups<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-6'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/#Webmasters_should_also_acknowledge_that_many_feel_the_site_should_not_change\" >Webmasters should also acknowledge that many feel the site should not change<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-6'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/#On_the_other_hand_there_are_ways_that_users_can_help_with_a_new_site_layout_as_well\" >On the other hand, there are ways that users can help with a new site layout as well<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h5 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Web_sites_occasionally_have_to_be_recoded_even_large_websites_with_regular_visitors_in_the_hundreds_of_thousands_or_millions\"><\/span>Web sites occasionally have to be recoded, even large websites with regular visitors in the hundreds of thousands or millions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">It is possible to <strong>recode<\/strong> a site\u2019s \u201c<strong>back end<\/strong>\u201d without changing the face of the site, but most often, these recodes come with significant cosmetic changes. <strong>A webmaster often faces the backlash from users who don\u2019t want their favorite site to change.<\/strong> <em>Fark (fark.com)<\/em> recently underwent a major redesign, and a recurring sentiment from the users is \u201cput the site back.\u201d <strong>How can webmasters, and users, ease the transition from one site layout to the next?<\/strong><\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_most_significant_action_for_the_webmaster_to_take_is_to_notify_the_users_well_before_the_changes_will_be_held\"><\/span>The most significant action for the webmaster to take is to notify the users well before the changes will be held<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In fact, the <strong>larger the changes<\/strong>, <strong>the sooner the users should be informed<\/strong>, thus preventing the sudden shock of the loss of a favorite site. Included in the announcement, or soon after, the webmaster should also list <strong>planned and possible changes<\/strong>, including new features or improved functionality. <strong>Creating a buzz about how the site will improve can serve to excite users<\/strong>. People do not like change, and springing a new site on them will increase the users\u2019 frustration, especially when they feel they have not been consulted on the new layout.<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"This_points_to_another_step_the_webmaster_can_take_to_ease_the_transition_%E2%80%93_consulting_with_as_many_users_as_possible_whether_through_polls_forums_or_e-mail_groups\"><\/span>This points to another step the webmaster can take to ease the transition \u2013 consulting with as many users as possible, whether through polls, forums, or e-mail groups<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>A user is not as likely to object to changes when he has had input into the new site.<\/strong> While it is impossible to please all the users, they like to know that those in authority are listening to their opinions. <strong>Feedback is imperative<\/strong>, and users may have ideas that would otherwise never occur to the webmaster.<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Webmasters_should_also_acknowledge_that_many_feel_the_site_should_not_change\"><\/span>Webmasters should also acknowledge that many feel the site should not change<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">In doing so, they can <strong>explain the many improvements in the site programming or resources<\/strong> that the users don\u2019t see every day. This may help users understand why the site needs to change.<\/p>\n<h6 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"On_the_other_hand_there_are_ways_that_users_can_help_with_a_new_site_layout_as_well\"><\/span>On the other hand, there are ways that users can help with a new site layout as well<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h6>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Reporting bugs in the new site to the webmaster is one way<\/strong>. They can also help \u201cnewbies\u201d who haven\u2019t figured out the new site yet, especially if the site has forums. Perhaps the <strong>most important way to help is to leave detailed feedback<\/strong>. Many users simply say \u201cbring back the old site\u201d or \u201cthis new layout sucks.\u201d While that certainly shares a sentiment, it doesn\u2019t provide anything helpful to the webmaster.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Users should realize that after such a massive change, it may not be feasible to go back to the old layout. Therefore, <strong>the focus should be on improving the new site<\/strong>. Rather than saying \u201cthis is awful,\u201d a user could be more helpful by saying \u201cI don\u2019t like the way the categories are organized,\u201d or \u201cThe comments are all squished together over here\u2026 can we put more space between them?\u201d This provides accurate feedback, and if a majority feel the same way, the webmaster may be able to remedy the problem quickly.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>It can be a shock for users to discover their favorite website has dramatically changed, but usually, the changes are for the best. An open mind is important to realize that the changes will benefit the site in the long run.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Web sites occasionally have to be recoded, even large websites with regular visitors in the hundreds of thousands or millions It is possible to recode a site\u2019s \u201cback end\u201d without changing the face of the site, but most often, these recodes come with significant cosmetic changes. A webmaster often faces the backlash from users who &#8230; <a title=\"When Websites Redesign: How to Ease the Transition\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/when-websites-redesign-how-to-ease-the-transition\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about When Websites Redesign: How to Ease the Transition\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":138,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,1],"tags":[61],"class_list":["post-137","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guide","category-web-development","tag-website-redesign"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.normanbalberan.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}