The $100 MBA Show: MBA2391 - How To Redesign Your Website + Free Ride Friday

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Host: Omar Zenhom
Podcast Description: Awarded Best of Apple Podcasts, The $100 MBA Show delivers practical business lessons for the real world. These no-fluff episodes are packed with only the pure business-building training you want.

Overview

In Episode MBA2391, hosted by Omar Zenhom, entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts are guided through the essential process of redesigning a website to enhance user experience and business performance. The episode not only delves into practical strategies for an effective website overhaul but also features the segment "Free Ride Friday," where listeners have the chance to win a complimentary spot in the $100 MBA program.

Redesigning Your Website: A Strategic Approach

Omar Zenhom emphasizes the critical role a website plays in a business's success. He states, "Your website is the experience your customer goes through when they buy your products and services. It's a part of the purchase, it's a part of what they will actually buy" (01:10). Recognizing that many entrepreneurs build a functional website to launch their business, Omar highlights the importance of redesigning it as the business grows and evolves.

The Importance of Design

Omar underscores that exceptional design can significantly elevate a business's value proposition. He notes, "Great design can really level up your business and the value you offer your customers. This means you can charge more and actually make more money just because you have better design" (04:15). Using examples like Apple and Porsche, he illustrates how design excellence directly correlates with brand premium and customer willingness to invest.

Principles of Good Design

To ensure a successful redesign, Omar introduces the ten principles of good design inspired by Dieter Rams:

1. Innovative
2. Makes a product useful
3. Aesthetic
4. Makes a product understandable
5. Unobtrusive
6. Honest
7. Long-lasting
8. Thorough
9. Environmentally friendly
10. As little design as possible (05:30)

These principles serve as a foundation for creating a website that is not only visually appealing but also functional and enduring.

Avoiding Trends

Omar advises against following fleeting design trends, advocating instead for timeless design choices. He explains, "You want to create design that's gonna go beyond trends, that's gonna last beyond trends. Something that you'll be happy with even if the trends change" (07:00). This approach ensures that the website remains relevant and effective over the long term.

Practical Steps to Redesign Your Website

Omar outlines a step-by-step process for a successful website redesign:

1. Identify What You Don't Like:

   • Compile a list of disliked designs, features, or branding elements to clarify what to avoid.
   • Example Quote: "Find a designer that you can really jive with, that you can work with, that can really create your vision into reality" (07:45).

2. Determine What You Do Like:

   • List admired websites or design styles to guide the new design's aesthetic and functionality.

3. Hiring the Right Designer:

   • Utilize platforms like Upwork, Freelance.com, or Dribbble to find skilled designers.
   • Allocate a larger portion of the budget to design to ensure quality.
   • Example Quote: "Designers are worth their weight in gold, meaning they're worth paying for" (09:30).

4. Project Structuring:

   • Adopt a project-based approach with clear milestones and budgets.
   • Utilize milestone systems on gig platforms to manage payments and progress.

5. Implementation and Testing:

   • Collaborate with developers to bring the design to life in a staging environment.
   • Ensure the final implementation matches the original design specifications through thorough testing and feedback.

6. Final Approval and Launch:

   • Once the design is accurately implemented, approve the final version and deploy it to the live environment.

Finding and Vetting Designers

Omar provides insights into sourcing and selecting the right designer:

• Platforms to Find Designers: Upwork, Freelance.com, Dribbble.
• Budget Allocation: Prioritize spending on design over implementation to ensure a high-quality user experience.
• Vetting Process: Conduct practical assessments by assigning a task or redesigning a single page to evaluate compatibility and skill before committing fully.
• Example Quote: "Sometimes I will have to put out some money, a couple hundred dollars, and realize not a good fit. I dodged a bullet. I just saved thousands of dollars" (14:50).

This meticulous approach helps in finding a designer who not only possesses the requisite skills but also aligns with the business's vision and standards.

Free Ride Friday

As part of the episode's special segment, Omar announces the winner of "Free Ride Friday." Listener CH Vox wins a free entry into the $100 MBA program, recognized for their outstanding review:

Winner's Review: "CH Vox says the $100 MBA is amazing. 5 stars. As a business person and entrepreneur, I love the concise lessons Omar and his guests give. I highly recommend the $100 MBA show to many I work with." (12:30)

Omar congratulates CH Vox and invites other listeners to participate by leaving an Apple Podcast rating and review for a chance to win in future episodes.

Final Advice

Concluding the episode, Omar encourages entrepreneurs to embrace the redesign process with enthusiasm and patience. He likens it to redesigning one's home, emphasizing the personal and rewarding nature of the endeavor. His final words serve as a reminder to invest time in selecting the right designer and to approach the project methodically to ensure success.

Final Quote:
"This is supposed to be fun. This is a great experience. Redesigning your website could be a lot, a lot of fun. It's kind of like redesigning your home. So enjoy it, take it with stride, and don't stress out." (15:00)

Conclusion

Episode MBA2391 of The $100 MBA Show offers a comprehensive guide to website redesign, blending strategic principles with actionable steps. Omar Zenhom's expertise provides listeners with the knowledge to enhance their online presence effectively, ensuring their websites not only attract but also retain and satisfy customers. Coupled with the motivational segment of Free Ride Friday, this episode serves as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking to elevate their business through superior website design.

Timestamps

• 01:10 – Introduction to the importance of website redesign
• 04:15 – The impact of great design on business value
• 05:30 – The ten principles of good design
• 07:00 – The pitfalls of following design trends
• 07:45 – Finding a compatible designer
• 09:30 – Budget allocation for design vs. implementation
• 14:50 – Vetting designers through practical assessments
• 12:30 – Announcement and review of Free Ride Friday winner
• 15:00 – Final advice on enjoying the redesign process

For more insights and practical business lessons, visit 100MBA.net.