Relaunch of website: how doing it formal and big?

Unless your new website has extra functionality or something seriously improved for clients, then why do they care that it is new?  I know you have put a lot of time and effort and probably money into it but again, unless it delivers something really great for customers (and "improved navigation" and "easier on the eye" are not valued by customers) then it's a non event to them.

however, don't forget all your staff, especially the front line staff, make sure they know how good it is, perhaps it's easier for them to update or has better interface with backend systems? Make them enthusiastic for it and get them to help drive customers to it.

For customers some well planned email marketing, perhaps tied in to your automated receipts (thank you for your payment, did you know you can view your accoutant on line now?) or some straightforward direct marketing (we have updated our site, please let us know what you think by completing our online survey).

Sadly, improved websites are nowadays like better telephone systems, a means to an end.

On 15:51:42 12 March 2008 gugo wrote:

 

I have the task to  help in the  relaunch of a website.  After 10 years  will be the old website  turned off and then relaunch a complete new design and CMS system.

The company:  B2B, related to automation, German based.
The relaunch will be done in Germany. ( so should be released  in german language and german customers)

I am thinking about what to do, here some ideas ( with questions):

1) press release   ( but where to publish?  when? only in  the website? )
2) Doing an event, inviting top customers.
3) Some promotion to bring visitors.. ( still don´t know how to do it )

Do you have some ideas?