Resort Website Redesign Checklist: What to Fix Before Your Next Busy Season
A resort website redesign is easiest to delay when the property is already busy.
There are cabins to prepare, guests to answer, staff to schedule, repairs to finish, and a season that never seems to leave much room for a website project.
Then the next busy season arrives, and the same problems are still there.
The booking button is hard to find on a phone. Photos no longer show the best parts of the property. Accommodation details are inconsistent. Guests keep calling with questions the website should answer. Your official site feels less useful than the OTA listing where many travelers first found you.
A redesign can fix those problems—but only when the project begins with a clear plan.
This resort website redesign checklist will help you decide what to keep, what to update, what to remove, and what needs to be built before your next high-demand season.
Use it whether you are hiring a designer, rebuilding the site yourself, or trying to determine whether a focused refresh would be enough.
Start With the Goal of the Redesign
“Make the website look better” is not a complete goal.
The design should support a business outcome. Before choosing colors, templates, or page layouts, write down what the new website needs to improve.
Common resort website goals include:
Increase direct bookings
Reduce reliance on OTAs
Make the website easier to use on mobile
Improve visibility in Google
Present renovated cabins accurately
Attract a better-fit guest
Fill shoulder-season dates
Reduce repetitive guest questions
Make routine updates easier
Build an email list
Promote repeat stays
Support groups, reunions, retreats, or longer stays
Choose one primary goal and two or three supporting goals.
This will help you make better decisions later. For example, a resort focused on direct bookings may prioritize accommodation pages, booking-engine links, reviews, and mobile usability. A property focused on shoulder season may also need seasonal landing pages, local content, and email signup opportunities.
A website cannot solve every business problem at once. It can create a much clearer path toward the most important ones.
Review the Current Website Before Removing Anything
Do not begin by deleting the old site.
First, take inventory.
List every existing page and record:
Page name
Current URL
Main purpose
Traffic or search value
Whether the information is accurate
Whether the page should be kept, combined, rewritten, redirected, or removed
Important pages may look outdated but still receive Google traffic. Removing them without a redirect can erase visibility you have already earned.
Use analytics and Google Search Console, when available, to identify popular landing pages, search queries, accommodation pages, and content that already brings traffic.
Also ask the people who answer guest questions what causes confusion, which accommodations are hardest to explain, and what first-time guests do not understand. The strongest redesign plans combine website data with real conversations.
Clarify Your Best-Fit Guest
A resort website should not speak to “everyone who needs a place to stay.”
List the audiences the site needs to serve, such as families, fishing groups, couples, pet owners, reunion groups, outdoor travelers, or returning annual guests.
Then identify who books most often, stays longest, returns, and is happiest with the experience. Your homepage, photography, copy, reviews, accommodation structure, and local content should help those people quickly recognize that the property fits their trip.
Plan the Website Structure
A clear sitemap makes the project faster and prevents important information from being scattered across random pages.
Most independent resort websites need a version of this structure:
Home
Accommodations overview
Individual cabin, room, or unit pages
Amenities or resort experience
Things to do or local area
About
FAQs
Policies
Contact
Book or check availability
Blog or travel guides
Depending on the property, you may also need:
Groups and reunions
Weddings or retreats
Fishing
Marina or boat rentals
RV sites
Dining
Packages
Seasonal pages
Pet-friendly stays
Accessibility information
Property map
Events
Do not add pages simply to make the site feel larger. Every page should help a guest find, understand, compare, trust, plan, or book.
For a detailed page-by-page foundation, use what every resort website should include.
Decide Whether Every Accommodation Needs Its Own Page
Many resort websites place all cabins or rooms on one page.
That may work when the accommodations are nearly identical. It becomes difficult when units differ in size, location, view, bed setup, accessibility, amenities, or ideal guest.
Individual pages make it easier to:
Show complete photo galleries
Explain the layout
List specific amenities
Answer unit-level questions
Add reviews
Link directly to availability
Target specific search terms
Share one accommodation by email or social media
Help guests compare without calling
Each accommodation page should include:
Name or unit number
Clear summary
Guest capacity
Bedrooms and bathrooms
Bed configuration
Kitchen details
Indoor amenities
Outdoor amenities
Location on the property
Pet rules
Accessibility notes
What is included
What guests should bring
Rates or path to rates
Unit-specific booking link
Strong photos
Relevant FAQs
If you have many similar units, create a thoughtful overview page with filters or categories, then use individual pages where differences matter.
Make the Direct-Booking Path Obvious
A guest should always know how to take the next step.
Your primary call to action should be consistent across the website. Good options include:
Check Availability
Book Your Stay
View Cabins and Rates
Reserve Direct
Plan Your Stay
Place it:
In the desktop navigation
In the mobile header or menu
Near the top of the homepage
On every accommodation page
After important selling sections
Near reviews
On the contact page
In the footer
Then test every link.
Confirm that it:
Opens the correct booking engine
Works on a phone
Does not send the guest to the wrong property
Preserves unit selection when possible
Opens the relevant accommodation
Makes dates easy to change
Clearly shows rates and policies
Returns the guest to the website without confusion
Your website and booking engine are part of one experience, even when different companies manage them.
If your direct-booking strategy needs a broader review, read how resorts can get more direct bookings without relying only on OTAs.
Review the Website on Mobile First
Do not wait until the end of the project to look at the mobile version.
Google uses mobile-first indexing, and many guests will experience the site only on a phone.
Review every important page for:
Readable text
Clear section order
Easy-to-tap buttons
Simple navigation
Fast images
No horizontal scrolling
Forms that fit the screen
Clickable phone numbers
Maps that do not trap the scroll
Booking buttons that remain visible
A booking engine that works on mobile
Pop-ups that are easy to close
The mobile version may need a different content order from the desktop design. A large scenic image may be beautiful on a monitor but push the cabin name, capacity, and booking button too far down on a phone.
Use the full mobile resort website guide during design and again before launch.
Update Your Photography
Website visitors use photos to understand the cabin and imagine the experience.
Create a shot list that covers every accommodation, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living space, exterior, porch, view, common area, activity, and important seasonal detail.
For each image:
Choose a descriptive filename
Crop intentionally
Compress for web use
Add accurate alt text
Confirm permission to publish it
Check the mobile crop
Avoid using the same three images across every page. If your OTA listing has stronger photos than your official website, make the website photo library a priority.
Rewrite the Homepage Around Guest Decisions
The homepage should quickly answer:
What kind of property is this?
Where is it?
Who is it best for?
What makes it different?
What can guests do here?
What should they click next?
A strong homepage often includes:
A clear headline and location
A primary booking action
A short property introduction
Accommodation options
Key amenities or experiences
Strong photography
Guest reviews
Local or seasonal highlights
Direct-booking benefits
A final booking or inquiry action
Avoid beginning with a long property history before the guest understands the stay. The story matters, especially for family-owned resorts, but it should support the decision rather than delay it.
Strengthen the Resort Story
Independent resorts have an advantage large chains cannot easily copy: a real story.
Your redesign should make room for:
Family ownership
Property history
Why guests return
Traditions
Meaningful renovations
Local connections
The experience you want guests to have
The people who care for the property
Do not turn the story into generic language about “unforgettable experiences” or “world-class hospitality.”
Use specific details.
Maybe families request the same cabin every summer. Maybe three generations fish from the same dock. Maybe the lodge was built by hand. Maybe the current owners spent childhood summers there before buying the property.
Specific stories make the resort easier to remember and trust.
Add Reviews Where Guests Make Decisions
Do not place every testimonial on one page.
Use specific reviews on the homepage, accommodation pages, group pages, and near booking calls to action. Choose feedback that addresses common hesitations about cleanliness, space, activities, location, communication, or the ease of arrival.
Repeat-guest stories are especially powerful because they show that the property can become part of a family's tradition.
Answer Frequently Asked Questions Clearly
A good FAQ section can reduce uncertainty and staff workload.
Include questions about:
Check-in and check-out
Deposits
Cancellations
Pets
Parking
Boat trailers
Linens and towels
Kitchen supplies
Wi-Fi
Accessibility
Quiet hours
Visitors
Fires and grills
Swimming
Boat rentals
Fishing licenses
Winter access
Minimum stays
What to pack
Nearby groceries and restaurants
Organize questions by topic. Use plain language. Keep policy information consistent with the booking engine and confirmation emails.
If a question is important enough to affect whether someone books, do not hide the answer in a PDF.
Review Rates, Policies, and Seasonal Information
Outdated practical details are one of the fastest ways to lose trust.
Before launch, verify:
Rates or rate links
Taxes and fees
Deposit requirements
Cancellation policy
Minimum stays
Pet fees
Extra guest charges
Check-in and check-out
Seasonal opening and closing dates
Amenity availability
Pool or beach hours
Rental equipment
Package details
Contact information
Directions
Assign one person to own this review.
Do not assume information is correct because it was copied from the old site. Compare the website, booking system, printed materials, Google Business Profile, and guest emails.
Build an SEO Foundation Before Launch
SEO should influence the site structure and writing from the beginning.
At minimum, plan:
One clear primary topic for each page
Search-friendly page titles
Useful meta descriptions
Logical headings
Descriptive URLs
Image alt text
Internal links
Individual accommodation pages where appropriate
Location information
Local and seasonal content
Redirects from old URLs
An XML sitemap
Google Search Console
Analytics
Do not create several pages that compete for the same keyword. Give each page a clear role.
For example:
Homepage: brand and broad resort/location relevance
Accommodations page: overview and comparison
Cabin pages: specific unit information
Location page: destination relevance
Blog posts: trip-planning questions
Service or amenity pages: distinct experiences
The complete guide to resort website design explains how SEO, storytelling, and conversion should support one another.
Plan Helpful Content Beyond the Main Pages
A redesign should leave room for the website to grow.
Create a short content plan based on what guests search for and ask about.
Useful topics may include:
Things to do near the resort
Best restaurants nearby
Family weekend itinerary
Fishing guide
Packing list
Rainy-day activities
Fall color guide
Winter travel information
Pet-friendly trip planning
Local events
How to choose the right cabin
What first-time guests should know
Each article should link to relevant accommodations or booking pages.
This content helps the resort show up before travelers have chosen a property. It also makes the website more useful after they find you.
Make Email Collection Part of the Website
Not every visitor is ready to book today.
A redesign is a chance to create a gentle way to stay connected.
Offer something useful, such as a local guide, packing checklist, early access to next season, last-minute availability alerts, or returning guest updates.
Place the signup in natural locations rather than interrupting every visitor with a full-screen pop-up. Make sure the form connects to an email system and delivers what was promised.
For a broader seasonal plan, download the Seasonal Marketing Checklist.
Protect Existing Search Visibility With Redirects
When URLs change, create a redirect from every valuable old page to the closest relevant new page.
Examples:
Old cabin page → new cabin page
Old accommodations page → new accommodations overview
Old local guide → updated local guide
Removed package → most relevant seasonal page
Do not redirect every old URL to the homepage. That creates a poor user experience and may waste the relevance of the old page.
Keep a redirect spreadsheet and test each one after launch.
Set Up Analytics and Booking Measurement
A redesign should make future decisions easier.
Track organic traffic, top landing pages, mobile use, booking-button clicks, contact forms, phone clicks, email signups, popular accommodation pages, and direct-booking conversions when your systems allow it.
You do not need a complicated dashboard on day one. You need enough information to know whether guests are finding the site and moving toward a booking.
Prepare the Launch Carefully
Before the new site goes live, complete a final review.
Content
Proofread every page
Confirm property facts
Check rates and policies
Remove placeholder text
Verify contact information
Confirm photo permissions
Review alt text
Check internal links
Booking
Test every booking button
Test unit-specific links
Complete a reservation on mobile and desktop
Confirm confirmation emails
Check cancellation and deposit language
Verify tracking where possible
Technical and Mobile
Connect the domain and confirm SSL
Add redirects
Verify Search Console and analytics
Submit the sitemap
Test forms, links, social images, and the 404 page
Review menus, buttons, text, image crops, pop-ups, and booking on more than one phone
Team
Train the people who will update the site
Store logins securely
Document platform, domain, and account ownership
Assign responsibility for rates, policies, photos, and content
Create a simple monthly review routine
Choose the Right Time for the Redesign
The best time to redesign is not usually the week before opening.
Work backward from your next important booking window.
Allow time for:
Strategy
Copywriting
Photography
Design
Feedback
Development
Booking integration
Mobile testing
Redirect planning
Training
Launch troubleshooting
Google to recrawl the site
For a seasonal resort, the website should ideally be live before guests begin planning—not merely before they arrive.
If summer bookings begin in winter, a spring launch may already be late. If fall is a growth priority, the supporting pages and content should be live well before September.
Focused Refresh or Full Redesign?
A focused refresh may be enough when:
The platform is current
Navigation is still useful
The booking system works
Most pages are accurate
The main issues are photos, copy, calls to action, and mobile spacing
A full redesign is more appropriate when:
The platform is outdated
The site is difficult to edit
Important pages are missing
Accommodations are poorly organized
The brand no longer fits
The website does not work well on mobile
Search visibility is limited by the structure
The booking experience needs a major rethink
Review seven signs your resort website may be costing direct bookings and how much a resort website costs before deciding which scope makes sense.
The Resort Website Redesign Checklist
Use this shorter list as your final project overview.
Strategy
Define the primary business goal
Identify best-fit guests
Review analytics and guest questions
Decide what success will be measured by
Structure
Inventory current pages
Plan the sitemap
Decide which accommodations need individual pages
Organize policies, FAQs, and local content
Map old URLs to new URLs
Content
Rewrite homepage messaging
Update accommodation details
Refresh the property story
Add direct-booking benefits
Collect specific reviews
Verify rates and policies
Plan future blog content
Photography
Create a shot list
Photograph every accommodation
Capture experiences and seasonal details
Compress and rename files
Write alt text
Design and Mobile
Make booking actions visible
Simplify navigation
Use readable text
Create easy-to-tap buttons
Check section order on phones
Reduce oversized images and pop-ups
Booking
Connect the booking engine
Use unit-specific links where possible
Test the full reservation path
Check rates, policies, and confirmations
Track booking-button activity
SEO and Technical
Write page titles and meta descriptions
Use clear headings and URLs
Add internal links
Create redirects
Connect Search Console and analytics
Submit the sitemap
Test forms, links, and the 404 page
Launch and Management
Proofread everything
Train the team
Store logins
Assign update responsibilities
Schedule monthly website reviews
Measure results after 30, 60, and 90 days
Your Website Should Be Ready Before Guests Start Planning
A resort website redesign is not only about creating a prettier online presence.
It is an opportunity to make the property easier to find, easier to understand, easier to trust, and easier to book directly.
The strongest redesigns begin with guest questions and business goals—not fonts or templates.
Take the time to protect what is already working, clarify the booking path, organize accommodations, improve mobile use, update the story, and build a foundation that can support future seasons.
Brightened Season designs resort websites built around direct bookings, mobile use, storytelling, and search visibility. The downloadable Resort Website Redesign Checklist is planned as a companion resource; until it is live, save or print this article and use the sections above as your working project plan.
