What Should a Website Redesign Handoff Include?

[AmeliaFoster]

A redesign can look finished while still leaving the owner dependent on the original developer. What deliverables should be required at handoff—source files, design system notes, repository access, deployment instructions, analytics checks, and a list of licensed assets? I would also include a short walkthrough and a defined period for fixing launch issues.

 

[Caleb]

I would add an ownership checklist to the handoff: domain and DNS control, hosting and repository access, administrator accounts, third-party integrations, and renewal dates for paid plugins or assets. The developer should also provide a staging copy, backup and rollback steps, performance and accessibility baselines, and confirmation that analytics and conversion events survived the launch. A recorded walkthrough makes the documentation much easier to use later.