You're navigating a lengthy website redesign. How do you keep stakeholders engaged and interested?

Yo mismo he tenido que enfrentarme a este reto en todas mis empresas y desde aquella primera web en 2005 que hoy no tendría ni pies ni cabeza, actualmente debemos ponernos de acuerdo varios departamentos como el de diseño, desarrollo, marketing, ventas... El patrón para evitar la apatía o desconexión del proyecto por parte alguno de esos departamentos siempre es el mismo: 1. Ten interiorizados tus valores (normas) de la empresa, su misión y su visión. 2. Involucra a todas las partes para que se sientan partícipes de los avances y las decisiones que se toman así como de los beneficios para cada uno de ellos. 3. Comunica los avances y resultados para corregir disrupciones. 4. Mantén el foco en los beneficios comunes y no sólo en el de algunos

Keeping stakeholders engaged during a lengthy website redesign requires consistent communication. Regular updates, whether through meetings, reports, or interactive dashboards, help stakeholders stay informed about progress and any challenges that arise. These updates should be clear, concise, and tailored to the audience, focusing on how the redesign aligns with overall business goals. By maintaining transparency, you build trust and ensure that stakeholders remain invested in the project’s success.

In addition to progress reports, consider involving stakeholders through interactive previews or demos of the redesign. For example, share wireframes or beta versions of key pages to gather feedback, making them feel like active participants in the process. Hosting Q&A sessions can also address concerns and provide clarity on decisions, ensuring everyone stays aligned. By turning updates into opportunities for collaboration, you not only keep stakeholders engaged but also build their confidence in the project's direction and outcomes, making them more invested in its success

• Engage Stakeholders: Meet with all departments for brainstorming sessions to analyze and gather requirements. • Content Collection: Collect content from relevant departments and fine-tune and edit it. • Involve Stakeholders: Include stakeholders in agency meetings to understand their specific website requirements and perspectives. • Workforce Plan: Specify a workforce plan detailing who will be involved at each stage, minimizing unnecessary participation. • Project Management Tools: Utilize project management tools to streamline the process and make it easier for stakeholders. • Cross-Functional Communication: Create a cross-functional group on WhatsApp to facilitate easier connections and communication.

Celebrate key milestones to keep momentum and excitement alive. Recognize achievements such as completing wireframes or launching a beta version. This not only acknowledges the hard work of the team but also keeps stakeholders engaged by showing tangible progress. I’ve seen how celebrating these moments fosters a positive atmosphere and reinforces commitment to the project.

Provide stakeholders with visual previews of the redesign, such as mockups, prototypes, or design snippets. Visualizing the progress helps stakeholders see the future outcome and feel more connected to the project. In my experience, visual previews can be particularly effective in maintaining interest and ensuring alignment on design choices.

To keep stakeholders engaged during a lengthy website redesign, provide regular visual previews. For example, share interactive mock-ups or progress snapshots every few weeks. If they see a live demo of the new homepage or features, they’ll better understand the project’s direction and their impact. This hands-on approach keeps them excited and involved, helping to maintain interest and gather valuable feedback throughout the redesign process.

Create opportunities for stakeholders to provide feedback throughout the redesign process. Regularly soliciting input ensures that their voices are heard and that the final product meets their expectations. I’ve found that establishing feedback loops not only enhances the quality of the redesign but also strengthens stakeholder engagement by making them feel like active participants.

Share educational insights related to the redesign, such as industry trends, best practices, or the rationale behind certain design decisions. Educating stakeholders keeps them informed and helps them understand the importance of the redesign elements. In my experience, providing these insights builds trust and aligns stakeholders with the project’s goals.

Incorporating a personal touch in stakeholder interactions can significantly strengthen relationships, especially during complex projects like a website redesign. While digital communication is efficient, personal meetings or phone calls offer a more intimate way to share updates and discuss progress. This approach demonstrates that you genuinely value their input and are committed to transparency. Building this trust ensures smoother collaboration and can help address concerns more effectively.