How do you decide if your redesign is better?

Redesigned site, scared to put it up.

[lynnharvey]

I just finished a site redesign, changing from a two column table to a three column css layout. I deleted a few image logos and simplified the look of the site. I spent a significant amount of time on all this work and thought I did great. I loved the new look.

Well, I got someone to look at the site for me and their comments didn't exactly thrill me.

So now I don't know what to do. I still like the new look better myself, but I'm doubting whether or not my visitors will feel the same.

Does anyone have any experience with this? I'd love to hear how others have coped with the worry and anxiety that comes with going live with a redesign.

[engine]

It depends a lot on the type of site - what you could do is a survey and ask your regulars for their views. Let them see a snapshot of the new design and guage the reaction.

You should only worry about it pleasing your bank balance. ;)

[jeremy goodrich]

Do some concurrent version testing through AdWords ;) that way, you can measure the ROI in real time of both versions of your site, and let your bank account tell you which one your visitor's like the best.

It's much to hard, when it's your own work, to see it "clearly" enough to make it work the best for you.

Jitters can easily be set aside with good, solid, hard data & analysis. Concurrent version testing is perfect for this situation.

[lynnharvey]

Thank you for the help! I appreciate it. I can't say yet exactly what I'm going to do, but you've given me some good ideas.