When you give an existing service a face lift , i.e. update its appearance and user experience without a large-scale technical overhaul, it is important to take several things into account so that the change is successful and brings added value to both users and the business. Here are the key things to consider:

1. Maintaining the user experience

• Recognizability and continuity : In connection with a face lift, the basic structure and functionalities of the service must be kept as recognizable as possible, so that users do not have to learn the service again. Do not make major changes to the navigation or the basic logic of the user interface unless there is a specific reason to do so.
• User centricity : Collect feedback from current users about which parts of the service work well and which would require a little improvement. The face lift should focus on improving the user experience without the change feeling disruptive.

2. Visual appearance

• Brand compatibility : Visual changes should reflect the company’s brand and strengthen its identity. If your company’s brand has developed over time, a face lift is a good opportunity to update the appearance of the service to match the current brand.
• Modern Look : Update visual elements such as fonts, colors, icons and artwork to be more modern and visually appealing. This can give the service a fresher and more professional look without major changes to the user experience.
• Clarity and simplicity : Simplifying visual elements can make a service more user-friendly. Avoid visual clutter and focus on clarity and readability.

3. Usability and accessibility

• Improving usability : Face lift is a good opportunity to fine-tune the usability of the user interface. Small changes, such as increasing the size of buttons, clearer links or simpler navigation, can significantly improve the user experience.
• Accessibility : Ensure that all visual changes adhere to accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.1. Color contrasts, text size and clarity of navigation are important for accessibility.

4. Performance and technical limitations

• Current technology : A face lift doesn’t usually mean major technical changes, but it’s important to make sure the visual upgrades are compatible with the current system. Check that the new elements do not slow down the service or cause technical problems.
• Speed ​​and performance : If visual changes increase the use of images or other resources, make sure they are optimized so they don’t slow down page load times.

5. Multichannel and responsiveness

• Responsiveness : Ensure that all visual changes work seamlessly across devices and screen sizes. If you make small changes to the desktop version, make sure that the Mobile version also adapts to the changes.
• Multi-channel experience : If the service is available in different channels (e.g. mobile app and web service), make sure the changes are consistent across all channels so that users can easily identify the service.

6. Customer service and information

• Informing users : Even though the face lift is not a complete overhaul, it is important to inform users about the upcoming changes. This reduces potential confusion and helps users understand why changes have been made.
• Support and guidance : Make sure that users receive support if necessary if the face lift causes them confusion or problems when using the service.

7. Utilization of analytics

• Analyze the current service : Use analytics tools to check how users are currently using the service. Which elements are used the most, and which parts are used less? This can help target the face lift to exactly the right parts of the service.
• Track the impact of changes : Implement metrics and analytics to track how a face lift affects user experience, customer satisfaction and performance. This way you can react quickly if the changes do not produce the desired results.

8. User testing and feedback collection

• Test changes : Before implementing the face lift, it is worth testing new visual elements and user experience changes with a small group of users. This helps to detect potential problems early.
• Collect feedback : After publication, actively collect feedback from users. The goal of a face lift is to improve the user experience, so it is important to know how the changes affect the users’ perspective.

9. Consideration of brand and competition

• Competitive situation : A face lift can be a way to stand out from competitors or update the service to be more competitive. Research your competitors’ services and note how they have developed their own services.
• Brand development : Face lift offers the opportunity to update the brand look of the service to match the company’s current marketing strategy or brand identity.

10. Budget and schedule

• Realistic budget : A face lift is not as expensive as a full facelift, but it still requires planning, resources and technical know-how. Make sure the budget is realistic in relation to the scope of the project.
• Scheduling : Since the scope of the face lift is limited, the schedule is usually shorter than in a comprehensive renovation. However, make sure there is enough time for planning, implementation and testing.

Summary

The goal of the face lift is to improve the visual look and user experience of the service without extensive technical or functional reform. It is important to maintain the recognizability and ease of use of the service while updating the visual elements to be more modern and user-friendly. In addition, accessibility, performance and user needs must be taken into account in order for a face lift to bring real added value.