Lodge Website Redesign Checklist

A website redesign is one of the best investments a Lodge can make in its public image and operational efficiency. But a redesign done poorly can be worse than no redesign at all: broken links, lost content, vanished search rankings, and frustrated members. This checklist will help you navigate the process from start to finish.

Phase 1: Planning and Discovery

Before any design work begins, lay the groundwork.

Define your goals. What problems is the current site causing? What do you want the new site to achieve? Common goals include attracting more prospective members, providing better tools for current Brethren, and presenting a more professional image.

Audit your current content. Inventory every page, document, and image on your existing site. Decide what to keep, what to update, what to merge, and what to retire. This is the most tedious step and the most important.

Identify your audience. Confirm who the site serves: prospective members, current members, community visitors, other Masonic bodies. Each audience has different needs.

Set a realistic budget. A quality Lodge website is an investment. Discuss budget openly with your developer so the project scope matches your resources.

Assign a project owner. One Brother should be the primary point of contact for the project. Committees are fine for input, but decisions need a single decision-maker to keep the project moving.

Phase 2: Design and Content

With planning complete, move into the creative phase.

Develop a site map. Map out every page and how they connect. This is the architecture of your site. Review it with officers to ensure nothing is missing.

Write your content. Do not wait for the design to write content. Draft all page text during the design phase. Good content drives good design, not the other way around.

Design review. Review design mockups carefully. Check them on mobile and desktop. Ensure the design reflects your Lodge's identity and meets your Grand Lodge's branding requirements.

Prepare imagery. Gather high-quality photos of your Lodge building, members, events, and community involvement. Avoid stock photos of random people shaking hands.

Plan your member area. Define what content goes behind the login, what roles and permissions are needed, and how members will get access.

Phase 3: Development and Testing

The site is being built. Stay engaged.

Review the staging site. Your developer should provide a staging environment where you can review the site before it goes live. Test everything: navigation, forms, calendar, member login, mobile experience.

Test all forms. Submit every contact form, RSVP form, and inquiry form. Verify that notifications arrive at the correct email addresses.

Check content accuracy. Read every page. Check officer names, meeting times, addresses, and phone numbers. Typos on a brand-new site are embarrassing.

Test on real devices. View the site on your phone, your tablet, and different browsers. Ask officers to test on their devices too.

Verify accessibility. Run an accessibility scan and address any issues before launch. Proper alt text, color contrast, and keyboard navigation should all be confirmed.

Phase 4: Launch

Launch day requires careful execution.

Set up redirects. If any URLs are changing, set up 301 redirects from old URLs to new ones. This preserves search engine rankings and prevents broken links from external sites.

Update external listings. Update your Lodge's URL on your Grand Lodge directory, Google Business Profile, and any other directories where your site is listed.

Monitor closely. Watch for errors, broken links, and form submission issues in the first 48 hours after launch. Have your developer on standby.

Announce the launch. Tell your members, share it on social media if appropriate, and send a note to your District or Grand Lodge.

Phase 5: Post-Launch

The launch is not the finish line. It is the starting line.

Train your content editors. Make sure the officers responsible for updates know how to use the content management system. Provide documentation they can reference.

Set a content schedule. Decide how often the calendar, news, and officer listings will be updated, and who is responsible for each.

Review analytics monthly. Check visitor traffic, popular pages, and form submissions. Use data to guide content improvements.

Plan for annual updates. At minimum, update the officer directory after installation and review all content annually for accuracy.

Schedule a maintenance review. Every six months, have your developer check for security updates, performance issues, and accessibility compliance.

A Lodge website redesign, done right, serves the Craft for years. Follow this checklist and you will launch a site that your Lodge is proud to share.