It is official.  We have just updated our image and our new website for One Day Redesigns!  I am very excited because this has been a long time in the wings.  Our new website is RedesignBoise.com.  We are very pleased with the work our talented webmaster and graphic artist.  April Brinkley, from Lipstick and Rouge Designs, is creative and caring.  (lipstickandrougedesigns.com)  We have been in business for four and a half years in Boise.  It was time to update and simplify our look, info and our website all around. 

As I was thinking about websites I thought I would share with you things to consider on a recycled article I wrote for IRIS (Interior Redesign Industry Specialists) Resource Newsletter a few years ago.  I believe the information still applies to you today.

Whether you are a Redesigner, Home Stager, or any other type of Real Estate Professional, I believe the message applies to you.  I hope these tips helps you as you look at your website and see what needs to be changed!

Going to the Next Level - Does Your Website Need A Redesign?

I have spent a lifetime of study in color, design, graphics and art.  I am continually researching information on these subjects.  We are in a "cutting edge" industry of Interior Redesign that stresses to "declutter" and simplify with an emphasis on the age old slogan of "less is more." Yet, some of the Interior Redesigner's websites throughout our industry appear "busy" and "cluttered."  If a website is too congested with many fonts (lettering styles), pictures or graphics, it will appear to have a "cluttered" look instead of a "clean" look.  Since first impressions are lasting impressions, then perhaps you may be losing business if your website does not appear to be organized and professional with flair of design.  We must be constantly looking at ways to connect with future and current clients with creative ideas that are "unique and fresh."  When prospective clients have a deep emotional involvement, they will help all of us move to the "next level."

When we do a redesign many times we look at a room and realize that the colors or styles are outdated.  What do you need to take your website to the next level?  Does your website need to be updated?  Do you have an objective friend or family member that can give you an honest opinion on their first impression of your website?  We live in a day where most people are too busy and experience "information overload."

Please consider the following ideas as you review your website:

1. Did you know that the bestselling books are written at a sixth grade reading level?  Is your website easy to understand for the person who does not have cable TV or does not know about the concept of interior redesign?  Do not use advanced interior redesign terms.

2.  Do your fonts, colors and graphics match your logo or design style?

3.  Do the fonts coordinate with your logo?  To achieve an ideal layout be consistent with one dominant font style for your logo and headings.  The balance of your text should be in one or two lighter or simpler font styles without serifs.  A serif on a font is any short line stemming from the upper

and lower ends of the strokes of a letter.  An example of a font with serifs is Times New Roman and one without serifs is Arial.

4.  Do you have an excess of bolded items?  If so, you will lose the impact of your text.

5.  If your page is overwhelming it will not be investigated.  I am usually drawn to a website that has a fresh look that is color coordinated and is balanced like a dynamic interior redesign.  If not, then I will not even check out the rest of the website.  I once did a redesign for a couple.  The husband had a stressful job.  When he would come home, he could not relax because the rooms were too disorganized. Even though they had some very nice furniture in their custom home, it did not feel peaceful. One space in particular that we improved was in the main hallway that had a whole grouping of family photos in various sizes, styles, frames and colors.  I had them take all of the photos down, select their favorites, and put them in unified frames that we hung in different picture galleries throughout their home.  We replaced the grouping with one large piece of artwork of a beautiful bird that was nicely framed.  After the redesign the couple commented on how much more relaxed that area felt to them.

What response does your website give to people?  Does it look warm and inviting?  Does it make people feel like they can relax, grab a cup of coffee and stay a while as they research your website?

Does it feel clean and professional?  If you cannot answer "Yes" to these questions, then it may be time to do a website redesign.  Trust me when you do, you will go to the next level!

~Have a Colorful Day!