Conducting a Redesign Sprint in Webflow

Redesigning a website, especially one that already exists in Webflow, can feel like a daunting task, but approaching it through a structured sprint process can make a huge difference. With Webflow’s unique abilities to preview and publish selectively, you can strategically update your website without disrupting the entire site. In this post, we’ll walk through a simple 4-step redesign sprint process designed to bring fresh, impactful updates to your Webflow site—quickly and effectively.

Step 1: Redesign the Homepage in Figma

Starting with the homepage is ideal, as it’s usually the most visited page and sets the tone for the entire site experience. Begin by analyzing the current layout and design elements. Identify what’s working, what isn’t, and where improvements could bring more value to users.

Once you have a clear vision, dive into Figma to create a new homepage design. Consider the latest design trends, usability best practices, and brand elements that align with your goals. Figma is ideal for this stage because it allows easy sharing and collaboration, as well as fast iteration based on feedback.

Key Takeaways for the Homepage Design:

• Align with brand guidelines while bringing a fresh, modern look.

• Focus on key messaging and call-to-action elements to improve user engagement.

• Design with responsiveness in mind, so it’s easier to translate into Webflow.

Step 2: Get Design Approval

Before moving into Webflow, it’s crucial to get feedback and approval from stakeholders. Share your Figma prototype with the team, highlighting the changes and improvements. Be prepared to make a few rounds of revisions—it’s better to address feedback now than after the build has started.

Using Figma’s commenting tools, gather notes directly on the design files. Once everyone is aligned, lock in the final design. This step ensures that the build process in Webflow runs smoothly and that everyone is on board with the new direction.

Step 3: Build the New Homepage in Webflow

With the approved Figma design in hand, it’s time to start building. Webflow’s no-code interface makes it easy to translate Figma designs into a fully responsive homepage.

Tips for Building in Webflow:

• Class Naming Conventions: Keep classes organized to make styling the rest of the pages more straightforward.

• Interactions and Animations: Webflow’s interactions are perfect for creating a dynamic, engaging homepage that brings your Figma design to life.

• Responsiveness: Take advantage of Webflow’s built-in responsive design tools to ensure a smooth experience across devices.

Regularly preview your progress on different screen sizes to catch any layout issues early on. Webflow’s preview feature is a huge time-saver for ensuring that your design looks great across devices.

Step 4: Update the Rest of the Site Around the New Homepage

Once the homepage is live, the next step is to adapt the rest of your website around the new design. Rather than diving into every page at once, prioritize the most-visited or most important pages to start. By gradually updating the site, you can address any user feedback from the homepage and integrate insights as you go.

How to Approach This Update:

• Define a Style Guide: Stick to the same colors, fonts, and spacing used in the homepage redesign to maintain a cohesive look.

• Focus on Consistency: Mirror the components used on the homepage for similar sections across the site (e.g., headers, buttons).

• Optimize Content: Evaluate each page’s content for relevance and clarity to complement the updated design.

Selective Publishing for Fast Rollouts

One of Webflow’s standout features is the ability to selectively publish pages. This means you don’t have to wait until the entire site is redesigned to go live with the new look. Instead, you can publish the homepage or a set of updated pages individually, allowing users to experience the new design while you continue to work on other sections.

Example: Intercom has embraced this approach, with only certain parts of their website redesigned while others still follow the original design. This allows them to gradually roll out updates, reducing the risk of a large-scale overhaul and allowing for user testing on updated pages.

Wrapping Up

Conducting a redesign sprint in Webflow offers an efficient and structured approach to revamping your site. By focusing on one page at a time and taking advantage of Webflow’s selective publishing, you can improve the user experience without lengthy downtime. Whether you’re giving your brand a fresh look or refining the UX, a well-planned sprint can help you achieve impressive results, quickly and seamlessly.