What Is Product Redesign? A Complete Step Guide To Product Redesign

Imagine you launch a product, and initial sales exceed your expectations. Then, a few months later, sales begin to dwindle. You know your team should revisit the design and figure out how to breathe new life into the product. This scenario isn’t uncommon. The product design process can help you quickly address both consumer and market feedback to improve your product’s performance. This article will discuss product redesign, why it matters, and how to go about it.

NUMI's product design can help you achieve your goals with simple, effective strategies. We break down the product redesign process into manageable steps to help you get back on track quickly, with minimal stress.

What is Product Redesign? Let’s Set The Record Straight

Product redesign refers to recreating your website or application or digital product’s overall look by making significant changes to the product’s design that improves the user experience. It aims at adding more value to the UX. Here, you have all sorts of data at hand like: 

• Users
• Businesses
• Competition

Linkup’s design teams confirm the statistics that online businesses were losing up to 90% of potential users due to poorly-designed sites before our intervention. If an online store has a complicated buying process and customers cannot intuitively find a particular section or button, they will buy the product elsewhere. 

The Importance of Simplifying User Experience for Increased Conversions

If customers have trouble purchasing tickets in a concert app, they won’t attend the event or will buy them in a more convenient app. If a real estate platform has an application form that requires too much personal data and is hard to find in the listing, the customer won’t submit it and will leave. This rule applies to almost any business.

What Goes Into a Product Redesign?

The efforts that go behind the product redesign are often neglected but the designers know the real struggle that goes behind a successful product redesign. Most importantly, the changes don’t need to be grand. Minor changes in style or color can go a long way in improving your product’s look and experience. 

Product Redesign Vs New Product Design Vs Design Refresh

New product design, product redesign, and design refresh all, three often become confusing for not just businesses but designers as well. And a growth-focused business needs to know what they need for its business. You will find these tags being used interchangeably around and the correct meaning always gets lost in the confusion. Let’s get in for a quick overview!

Product Redesign

Product redesign is adding more value to the existing design by making visual updates along with adding or removing some features. It is done when your website or application or digital product hasn’t been updated for a long time or you’ve made technological changes or else your design is not delivering you the desired results.

Here in redesigning, you will be having solid research data as you already have an existing design and user feedback along with real-time user feedback. Hence, you won’t be needing to go through the whole UX research process from scratch as you do for a new product design. 

New Product Design

New Product design is when you are designing a product that has no history or predecessors. It is a fresh product design with a new idea where every part of the design process is based on thorough research data and the aim is to build an efficient yet impactful product design.

A completely fresh design build from scratch, be it user data, innovation, and research work. Here, to check the design feasibility you have to conduct usability testing well with real-time user feedback starting with an MVP. 

Design Refresh

A design refresh is a complete change in appearance without interfering with the UX structure or the content. It is more like a rebranding of the product by changing the colors, styles, and placement of UI components within the product. It doesn’t change the functionality or the structure but it does bring in a new experience with a different aesthetic of the same product.

Why You May Need A Product Redesign

User Feedback: The Most Crucial Product Redesign Signal 

Real-time user feedback is key in determining when it's time for a product redesign. Users know the product inside and out. They are the ones you’ll be solving issues for, so their feedback can help you realize the need for a product redesign. When you notice a lot of negative feedback coming your way, that’s your cue. 

Poor Product Design: When Looks Can Kill 

Your idea and features may be right for your users but the poor product design is a big user disappointment. No additional features or offers will help you to onboard or retain users if your design is a hindrance in delivering the primary functionality. These are the products that need to be redesigned.

Dated Design: When a Product Redesign is Inevitable 

No one wants to use an outdated product. If users are actively looking for alternatives to your product, it’s a sign that they are dissatisfied with the current metrics of your product. And also tired of trying all the alternatives? Now, this is crucial when you need to consider a product redesign. It can attract the users’ attention with a change, and solving their problems will influence them to use and come back to your product. 

Brand Updates: Redesigning Products to Reflect Changes in Your Business 

Whenever you update any element of your brand, you must compulsorily consider going for a product redesign. And redesign a product considering the brand updates comes off as the easiest of all. You never realize it but many apps and brands like Gmail or Instagram wouldn’t have been as successful as they are today if they wouldn’t choose product redesign.    

Bad Metrics: Signal for Redesigning 

How many times have you been dissatisfied with the current metrics of your product? And also tired of trying all the alternatives? 

Your Brand’s Design Looks Untrustworthy 

A study published in 2004 revealed that 94% of first impressions are related to design. This means that a poor design could ultimately make you seem untrustworthy regardless of the value of my content.

On the other hand, another research conducted by Edelman in 2019 revealed that 81% of consumers buy products based on the trust they have in that particular company . If you ever face issues with showing trustworthiness, you should consider a rebranding strategy.

The Importance of Simplifying User Experience for Increased Conversions

NUMI is a framer web design agency that powers world-class framer developers and product designers. Backed by Y Combinator, NUMI handles your startup's sourcing, vetting, and hiring design needs. We have a fabulous design team that ensures that all of your design work is being done well. 

• NUMI helps with:
• Product design
• Web design
• Framer development
• Webflow development
• Mobile design
• Prototyping
• UX design
• All of your startup's design needs

Subscribe to a guild of world-class designers ready to join your team. Schedule a call with us today to learn more.  

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Benefits Of Product Redesign

The Power of Product Redesign to Influence Buyer Behavior

The impact of product design on buying behavior is undeniable. Even slight changes in the visual appearance of a digital product can change the way users perceive that product. And when it comes to product redesign, it doesn’t matter how well the existing design is performing. 

If the visual appeal of the design is lacking, a product redesign can help turn the tables. Even if the user experience structure is satisfactory, a redesign can improve the visual aspects so that users are more attracted to the product, helping to influence their purchasing behavior. 

Staying Current: The Importance of Technological Updates

Technology is always changing. And as your product adapts to new technological changes and updates, it’s important to ensure that the product’s design isn’t left behind. If a design isn’t incorporating the latest technology, it won’t be appealing to users. They will shift towards better-looking designs even if your website or application has superior user experience. 

An outdated UI can be harmful to your business. A product redesign can help update your design so that it aligns with current technological standards and trends, helping to improve the visual appeal and attract more users.  

Something New Always Attracts Attention

Change is exciting. When you opt for a product redesign, it promises a new look and a new experience. This change will not only attract a lot of new users; it will also enhance the brand’s visibility with existing users. Users will receive the new and updated design much better than the old, outdated one. As a result, you gain more user engagement and expand your user base while the users are satisfied with your digital products.  

Aligning with Business Goals and Objectives

Product redesigns are often required to align with business goals and objectives. These goals could relate to seasonal promotions, like Christmas, Black Friday, Valentine’s Day, etc., or new products. For example, an eCommerce brand is releasing a new product range and needs a redesign to promote and prioritize it on the website.  

Improve Brand Identity

Companies may want to redesign the product’s visual design and branding to better reflect the organization’s identity or to align with a rebranding. For example, an organization may feel a product’s design looks outdated and want a redesign to make the brand relevant to modern design trends.  

Addressing Competitive Pressure

Organizations must often redesign products to keep up with or surpass their competitors. For example, the research team identifies demand for a feature or functionality not offered in the market. So, the company redesigns its product to gain this competitive advantage.  

Drive Business Growth

Redesigns are often necessary to facilitate business growth by entering new markets, attracting new users, retaining existing ones, and increasing engagement and revenue. The popular blogging platform Ghost redesigned its product over the last five years to focus on the creator economy. Ghost still attracts its original customer base of bloggers and publishers, but the redesign means the platform is a preferred choice for subscription-based businesses and creators.

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A Step-By-Step Guide To Product Redesign

1. Assess Your Product and Analyze the Data

To kick off the product redesign process, take a thorough look at your existing product. This involves identifying what’s working and what isn’t by analyzing user feedback and behavior. You’ll want to examine usability issues, performance bottlenecks, and any design or navigation challenges that may be hindering user satisfaction.

Use analytics tools like Google Analytics, Mixpanel, or Amplitude to uncover insights about:

• Page traffic and views: Which pages are performing well, and which are neglected? 
• User behavior: Heatmaps and session recordings can reveal navigation struggles or features that are underutilized. 
• Performance metrics: Slow page loading times or cumbersome checkout flows could drive users away. 

This data helps you pinpoint areas requiring attention and prioritize what to retain, improve, or eliminate in the redesign.

2. Conduct In-Depth Research

Successful redesigns stem from user understanding. Revisit your audience through fresh market research, competitor analysis, and trend exploration.

Engage directly with your users via:

• Interviews
• Surveys
• Focus groups

Collect qualitative insights about: 

• What users value in your product
• Their frustrations
• Their feature requests

Reassess your user personas, updating them to reflect current behaviors and expectations. This step ensures your redesign aligns with evolving customer needs and market dynamics.

3. Create a Strategic Plan

Turn your findings into a detailed roadmap for the redesign. 

Here’s what to include:

• Objectives: Define the business and user goals the redesign should achieve. 
• Enhancement priorities: List key areas to focus on based on your analysis. 
• Scope and timeline: Estimate resources and set realistic deadlines. 
• Success metrics: Determine how you’ll measure the redesign’s effectiveness, such as changes in conversion rates, engagement levels, or bounce rates. 

This plan acts as your blueprint, ensuring every stakeholder aligns with the project’s goals and scope.

4. Finalize the Concept

Conceptualization bridges research and execution. While refining your vision, keep these principles in mind: 

1. Preserve familiarity: Retain the product’s core identity and key features to ensure continuity for loyal users. 
2. Focus on improvement: The redesign should feel like an evolution, not a complete overhaul. 
3. Data migration: Seamlessly transfer user data to avoid disruptions or frustrations. 

Validate your concept through stakeholder feedback to ensure it resonates with your team and aligns with user needs.

5. Prototype and Test

Prototyping translates ideas into tangible designs. Begin with low-fidelity wireframes, then iterate to high-fidelity prototypes as the design evolves. Utilize tools to create interactive mockups, like: 

• Figma
• Sketch
• Adobe XD 

Involve users early by conducting usability tests. This allows you to observe how real users interact with the prototypes and identify potential roadblocks. Iterate based on feedback to refine your designs until they’re ready for development.

6. Develop the Redesigned Product

Once prototypes are approved, hand them over to your development team to turn designs into reality. This stage includes: 

• Coding
• Integrating back-end systems
• Conducting rigorous QA testing to ensure functionality. 

Simultaneously, launch marketing efforts to prepare your audience for the upcoming changes. Use: 

• Emails
• Social media updates
• Blog posts tosome text
  • Explain what’s new and why it matters. 
  • Highlight how the redesign enhances user experience. 
  • Reassure users that the product’s core remains unchanged. 

7. Plan User Onboarding

Onboarding is critical to help users transition smoothly to the redesigned product. Effective onboarding reduces friction, accelerates adoption, and ensures users understand the value of the updates. 

Consider using:

• Interactive tutorials 
• Step-by-step walkthroughs
• Tooltips and help menus 

The goal is to make onboarding intuitive and supportive, minimizing any learning curve associated with the redesign.

8. Launch and Monitor Performance

Launch the redesigned product with a mix of excitement and caution. Announce the release through: 

• In-app notifications
• Emails
• Social media posts

Provide ample support, including FAQs, live chat options, or onboarding guides.

The Role of Feedback and Metrics in Iterative Product Redesign

Consider a soft launch for a more controlled rollout, allowing a small user group to test the product and provide feedback before the full release.

Post-launch, monitor performance metrics to gauge success. Look at user engagement, satisfaction scores, and conversion rates. Collect feedback and remain agile—redesign is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement based on evolving user needs.

How To Successfully Onboard Users To A Brand New Product Look

Connect with Users on Why Your Product Redesign Matters

People need a reason to look past the challenges and embrace change. Give your users this reason to accept your redesigned product by sharing your guiding principles behind this campaign. In-app campaigns that communicate these guiding principles can make your case, build stronger brand alignment, and increase user retention. 

Use this as an opportunity to show users I’ve listened to their suggestions or complaints and introduced changes addressing these grievances. Uber presents one of the best examples of how it's done. The team designed a video introducing the new interface and highlighting the reasons behind these significant changes. 

Create Targeted Walkthroughs for the New Interface

Product walkthroughs are non-negotiable in your onboarding flow after a product revamp. Don’t limit yourself to a basic walkthrough. Create an empathy map for different user personas and design personalized product walkthroughs for each persona.

An empathy map will visualize your user research to give you granular insights into user behaviors and preferences. You can prioritize different features based on these insights. Here’s an example of what an empathy map looks like to help get you started. 

Add Tooltips to Showcase Value of the New Features

Once you revamp your entire interface, it gets difficult for users to find and use the features they once loved. This is where contextual tooltips can be a game-changer in the redesign onboarding process. Your product team can identify the most popular features and create tooltips for the same features in the new version. A quick tip will help users connect the dots and increase feature adoption. 

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NUMI is a framer web design agency that powers world-class framer developers and product designers. Backed by Y Combinator, NUMI handles your startup's sourcing, vetting, and hiring design needs. We have a fabulous design team that ensures that all of your design work is being done well. 

• NUMI helps with:
• Product design
• Web design
• Framer development
• Webflow development
• Mobile design
• Prototyping
• UX design
• All of your startup's design needs

Subscribe to a guild of world-class designers ready to join your team. Schedule a call with us today to learn more.