Do you think your business needs a new website? If you are asking that question you probably already know the answer, you likely do. But sometimes it is hard to tell if that project is timely, worth the investment, or even necessary. Check out our list of warning signs that it is time for a new website.
1. Your Website is Not Mobile Friendly
Is your website mobile-friendly? If not, here are two pieces of information that you need to read.
1. Over 55% of all internet traffic is now mobile.
2. Google is now mobile-first when indexing web pages. This means that building a website for desktop and leaving the mobile user experience as an afterthought isn’t an acceptable practice any longer.
What does this mean for you and your potential clients? Simply put, you need to have a website that works just as well on mobile as it does on desktop. If your current website isn’t responsive that is a sign that you really need a new website.
2. Your Branding is Outdated
One of the key items we focus on when designing a website is ensuring that the branding, look, and feel of the site are consistent with the brand guidelines of the business. The colours should match the palette of your brand, the content should follow your brand’s voice and tone, and the website should be a clear reflection of what your business brand feels like.
Maybe you’ve gone through a rebrand or updated your logo. Or it could be a simple update to the company colours. Either way, your website needs to reflect your branding so that customers do not get confused when they visit your website.
For example, if a customer drives past your business and decides to visit your website, you really want to ensure that your site matches your overall branding so that the customer can immediately recognize that they are in the right place and stay on your site. Conversely, if your site doesn’t match your branding you may confuse some potential paying customers and they may not understand that they are in the right place and leave before they learn more about your products or services.
3. It Does Not Focus on Current Business Goals
If your website is not aligned with your business goals, it is 100% time to get a new website. Your products or service offerings can, and likely will, change over time. When there is a disconnect between what your website is offering and what you are trying to accomplish it is time for a website overhaul.
Do a quick audit. Do you have pages for each product or service that you provide? Is the site structured in a manner that highlights the areas that you are focused on for growth? Can customers find the information that they are looking for quickly and easily? And in turn, do you have a clear path for customers to take to get in touch with you or make a purchase?
If you’ve answered no to any of the questions above, your website is holding you back.
4. Your Site is Difficult to Update
One of the first websites that I had as a business owner was a site that was impossible to update without getting a developer involved. It was a frustrating experience, and we often felt that our site was out of date or that we were stuck at the mercy of the web designer.
Of course, not all updates are easy on any website, but being able to update images, keep your product offerings current, and change contact or staff information quickly and easily is fairly standard now. We build sites that can be easily updated by the business owner or a staff member if they so desire.
Do you have updates or changes that you’d like to make to your site but aren’t being made? If you are limiting the website in any way, shape, or form because it is difficult to work with you should look at moving to a platform that is easier for you to manage, or find a new team that is able to support your business as you grow.
5. It Isn’t Focused On Your Customer
Your website needs to address your customers’ problems. If your website focuses too much on your business, and not how you can solve problems you are missing the boat. Your website needs to frame your services in a manner that
As business owners we can get caught up in showcasing our mission statements, awards we’ve won, associations we are part of, and in general talk about how great we are. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, a lot of us have been there.
But to get the most out of your website and encourage customers to purchase online or get in contact with you your website really needs to focus on the customer. Think like them. What would you like to see as a customer when visiting a website – your site should reflect those thoughts.
A good website will speak to your customers. Don’t get stuck talking about yourself. Be a problem solver and align your service pages and blog posts with useful information that frames you as the solution.
How often should I redesign my website?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a straightforward answer to that question. And like a lot of things in marketing, it depends. If there are glaring holes that you’ve found in your website after reading the information above, you should start down the road of planning for a new site.
But there are other factors as well. Have your competitors made a shift to a newer, more functional website? Has your industry shifted? Does your site simply feel old and dated?
Conversely, you may have a website that is 5 years old that still matches your branding, speaks to your customers, and provides a steady flow of sales or leads. That site may make it a few more years before it is time for a refresh.
The decision ultimately is yours, but we are happy to discuss your existing website and talk through the pros and cons of your existing website, potentially making a few minor updates, or making the call to do a full overhaul in the best interest of your business.
