PIPELINEGuide
Connecting a Website Relaunch with Existing Systems
Does everything need to be replaced for this? Usually not. What can be connected to an existing system landscape, where the limits are, and which part typically takes the longest.
For a website relaunch, nothing existing usually needs to be replaced: ERP, CRM, calendar, accounting, or phone systems are connected via interfaces. What matters is whether the respective system has a documented interface — and the time-critical part is almost never the technology, but obtaining the access credentials.
01 — Integration
Connection with existing systems
The most common misconception is that everything needs to be replaced. In most cases, the existing system landscape remains, and the website relaunch builds on top of it — through interfaces, not replacement.
What gets connected in practice: ERP, CRM, calendar, accounting, phone system, newsletter system, website. What matters is whether the respective system has a documented interface. Where none exists, there's usually a workaround — but that costs effort and needs to be clarified up front, not discovered later.
The time-critical part is almost never the technical integration, but obtaining access credentials. Starting early here noticeably shortens the project timeline.
02 — Requirements
What You Need for a Website Relaunch
- A clearly defined trigger. Not “we should do something with AI,” but a process that demonstrably costs time or orders today.
- Existing content or data. A website relaunch works with what's already there. The more complete the starting point, the shorter the setup.
- Access to the systems involved. Whoever manages the credentials needs to be involved from the start — this is, in our experience, the most common cause of delays.
- One decision-making contact person. One, not three.
- Willingness to refine after launch. The first weeks in real operation show what was missing in the concept. That's normal and accounted for.
03 — Bottlenecks
What typically causes delays
- Content and deliveries. By far the most common cause of delay. Text, images, price lists, access credentials — what's missing blocks progress.
- Decisions. When it's unclear who approves, the project waits. A named contact person with decision-making authority noticeably shortens the timeline.
- Access to third-party systems. Getting access to inventory management, phone systems, or CRM regularly takes longer than the integration itself.
- Endless review rounds. Two correction rounds are normal, five are a sign that the goal wasn't clear at the start.
04 — Questions
Frequently asked questions
When is a relaunch overdue?
When the site doesn't work on mobile, the content management system no longer receives security updates, or you can't change content yourself. A merely outdated appearance is the weakest reason of all.
What happens to our existing Google Business Profile?
It remains untouched as long as the website address doesn't change. If the domain changes, the link stored in the profile needs to be updated — we take care of that.
Should we carry over all content?
No. Pages that bring neither visitors nor serve a purpose are removed — that makes the site clearer and the remaining pages stronger. What brings visitors is carried over and improved.
Will we lose Google rankings with a relaunch?
Only if you do it wrong. Short-term fluctuation over two to four weeks is normal, a lasting drop is not. The cause is almost always the same: missing or incorrect redirects. We create the list before the move and check it afterward.
Can we switch over gradually?
For larger sites, yes — section by section. It takes longer but spreads the risk and cost.
Is a relaunch worth it if we're renaming soon anyway?
Not in that order. Clarify the renaming first, then relaunch — otherwise you build a site that needs adjustment again shortly after.
Do we have to go offline during the relaunch?
No, the old site stays online until the switchover day. The change happens on a set date, usually outside business hours, and typically takes only a few minutes.
05 — Next
Related pages
- Website relaunch — Overview
- Website Relaunch — Costs
- Website Relaunch — Measuring Success
- Website relaunch — Checklist
- Website Relaunch — Pros and Cons
- Website Relaunch — Data Protection
- Website Relaunch — Contract and Ownership
- Website relaunch — process
- Have a website created
- SEO
- Web design
- All guides
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