6 Ways to Know Your Business is Ready for a New Website
In an age where digital content is king, it is more critical than ever that your company has a website that both looks good and is able to bring in new business. However, your website will not be able to do either of these things if it’s outdated. While your website may seem functional, if it has been a while since you redesigned it, then your website may be unintentionally driving customers away. In fact, a recent survey of internet users found that 81% of respondents thought less of a business with an outdated website. Yet, how will you know when it’s time for a website redesign? Here are a few signs you can look out for that indicate your business may be ready for a new website.
Your Website is Old
One of the easiest ways to tell that it is time to replace your website is to take a look at it and compare it to the websites of other businesses. Does your website look sleek and modern like everyone else’s? Or does it look like your website hasn’t been updated since the ’90s? The fact is that website design trends and technology are constantly changing, which makes regular redesigns critical if you want your website to stay relevant. While people disagree on how long a website can go before needing to be redesigned, most businesses should start thinking about having their website redesigned after 3 years, and any website that is 5 years old needs to be replaced as soon as possible in order to ensure that it stays relevant.
It is Painfully Slow
Another sign that your website is outdated is if your website is painfully slow to load. Try going to your website and timing how long it takes your home page to load, as well as how long it takes to go to other pages on your website. If you find that it takes your website five, or even ten, seconds to load a page, then you are long overdue for a new website. The fact is that speed is a critical factor when it comes to not only how Google ranks websites, but also in whether or not someone is likely to take your business seriously. In fact, most users expect a website to load in under 2 seconds, and 40 percent of users surveyed said they would abandon a website if a takes longer than 3 seconds to load. Thus, slow load times could be killing your business, and it is critical that you consider a website redesign if your website is slow.
Your Branding Has Changed
Has your company gone through a rebranding recently? If so, this is a critical time to rebrand your website as well. Strong branding is critical in ensuring that customers recognize your business and can think of it when they’re in need of a service you offer. This makes it critical that your rebranding is consistent across the board and includes a rebranding of your website and social media pages. If your branding does not match across the board, this can confuse visitors to your website, as they may think they have the wrong company. Whether you rebranded last month, or you plan on rebranding in the near future, redesigning your website should be a critical component of that process.
Your Website is Difficult to Update
Consistently updating your website with new blogs, services, and company news is a critical component in ensuring your site stays relevant. However, it may not be possible to keep your website properly updated if your platform or setup are difficult to work with. The fact is that anyone on your staff should be able to easily add to the content on your website. If your website is currently built on a platform that is extremely difficult to work with, or worse, that requires a third-party developer to make even the simplest of changes, then this is a clear sign that it is time for a website redesign. New websites built on an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) will make it easy to ensure that your website is up-to-date and accessible to your entire team.
Is Your Website Mobile-Friendly?
As of 2019, it is estimated that over 52 percent of internet traffic comes from mobile devices. With mobile being the primary way many people access the internet, it is more critical than ever that you ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and creates an easy-to-use experience for mobile users. In fact, 57 percent of users say they won’t recommend a business with a poorly designed mobile site as this makes the company look outdated or unorganized. Clearly, search engines and potential customers alike may be passing your website by if it is not mobile friendly. This makes it critical that your website looks as good on a phone or tablet as it does on a desktop, and that it adjusts its size and layout to fit the device a person is using. If you do not have a responsive website that is mobile-friendly, then your business is long overdue for a new website.
Is Your Website Driving Sales?
The fact is that a website should be one of your biggest marketing tools that generates sales, new leads, and that helps to grow your business on a regular basis. However, this requires an expertly developed website that not only ranks high in google searches, but that also includes well-designed landing pages and precise, easy-to-use contact forms that allow potential customers to reach out to you directly from your website. If your website does not currently drive sales, provide features that help generate leads, or if traffic to your website is low, then it is imperative that you have a new website created that will help to drive new customers to your business.
Considering more people are spending time online and using the internet to research businesses than ever before, it is critical that your company has a modern, easy-to-use website that will help to drive sales. Contact us to learn more about how you will know when it is time to upgrade your website, as well as to find out how a marketing agency can help you to craft the ideal website for your business.
