Reviewing your website thoroughly before migrating it, lets you start off on the right foot and can make for a smoother transition. It is also beneficial to your current visitors!
Here are four steps to help you prepare your website for migration to cuTheme.
1. Do a Content Audit
- Evaluate the relevance and quality of your content. Remove outdated information.
- Optimize content for Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Look for and fix broken links
Resources
- Website Review Training – How to do Content Audit
- Spring Cleaning your Website – not limited to spring :)
- Tips for optimizing for SEO and accessibility
2. Ensure your Content is Accessible
- Review your website’s accessibility according to AODA guidelines.
- Ensure that it’s easily navigable for users with disabilities
- Including proper alt text for images
- Use of headings and subheadings.
- This is good practice to ensure a site that is easy to navigate and use for all visitors.
Resources
- Online accessibility training – Learn how to make more accessible text, images, tables and videos
- Web accessibility checklist
- Alt Text
3. Review Your Navigation Menu
The menu in cuTheme is top-of-page only (no side option). You may need to rethink your navigation depending on the length. We recommend reviewing it periodically anyway as things evolve on your site!
Simplify Navigation:
- Streamline your menu items to make navigation intuitive and efficient. Consider categorizing content logically and using sub-items where necessary.
Consistent Structure:
- Ensure consistency in navigation across all pages. Users should easily understand where they are and how to navigate to other sections of your site.
Resources
- Menu magic – Tips for improving user experience via navigation
- Coming out on top: the new top nav menu in cuTheme
4. Review and Renew Your Homepage
cuTheme will present you with a lot more design options for your homepage. However, content is still Queen! Now is a great time to rethink what elements are most important for your homepage. Prep the content now and then style it up in cuTheme!
Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
- Place a prominent CTA that aligns with your primary goal (e.g., register for a program get to a service, contact your department). Make it stand out without overwhelming the page.
Visual Hierarchy
- Organize content using a clear visual hierarchy. Use headings, images, and white space strategically to guide visitors through the page.
Dynamic Elements
- Consider incorporating dynamic elements like videos and news posts, to engage visitors and convey information effectively.
Update Images
- Make sure to refresh images from time to time so they are current. This keeps your homepage from looking stale and dated,
Resources
- Re-organize your homepage – Tips & ideas for renewing your homepage content
- Calls to Action – What they are, examples, and best practices!
- Structure content on your pages – From our Writing for the Web Series, tips making your pages easy to scan
- Video
- Images
- Finding images for your site – the ultimate guide …
- Optimizing your images for SEO and accessibility
To find out more about the migration to cuTheme and how you can migrate your site – click on the button below!