Having an up-to-date site is essential for any business. But when should you redesign your website, and when should you rebuild it entirely? It can be hard to know the answer. Here are some tips to help you decide whether it’s time to refresh or replace your website.
Why Is Keeping Your Website Up to Date Important?
Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. It’s a representation of your brand and what you have to offer. Maintaining an outdated website can be detrimental as technology and design trends rapidly evolve. A refreshed or new website not only looks more visually appealing and modern, but it can also improve sales and leads and provide a better, more functional user experience.
There’s no shame in getting a little work done…on your digital presence, that is – and a good website needs a facelift once every several years, depending on your industry. Technology changes quickly, and if your website is showing its age, it may be time for a revamp. A refresh could involve updating designs, colors, fonts, and layouts to give your site a more modern look. If it’s time for a complete overhaul, it could also mean rebuilding from the ground up and adding new features that enhance usability and make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for. But how do you know when it’s out with the old and in with the new? Keep reading to find out.
Sign 1:
You’re Not Seeing Conversions
If you find yourself staring at your website’s analytics with a sinking feeling, noticing a decline in sales or conversions, it’s time to consider making a change. The thought of a complete website replacement may seem daunting, but the benefits can be well worth the effort. Starting from scratch with a new technology stack, design elements, and content structure can breathe new life into your online presence. With the help of a knowledgeable team, you can create a website tailored to your business’s and your customers’ needs. Don’t let a decline in sales hold you back – take action and invest in a website replacement that can help your business thrive.
Sign 2:
Your Website Lacks Mobile Presence
It’s no secret that mobile presence is key for businesses to stay competitive. While many website owners focus on desktop design and performance, they may be missing out on a significant amount of traffic. It’s crucial to note that the number of people discovering new websites on their phones is ever-increasing. In fact, 55% of website traffic comes from mobile devices – making it necessary to have a mobile-friendly site.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the significance of mobile presence may vary depending on the industry you’re in. For example, software that manages assets is more likely to be accessed from a desktop, while travel sites are more often used on phones. Regardless, Google’s algorithm prioritizes mobile-friendly sites, so ensuring your website is optimized for mobile to avoid getting dinged is important.
Sign 3:
Your Site Is Visually Outdated
Would you trust a tax preparation service whose website looked like something created using Microsoft Paint? If so, may the odds be ever in your favor. If not, congratulations, you understand the importance of having an aesthetically pleasing, up-to-date website representing your business. By regularly refreshing your website, you can capture the attention of new visitors and retain the loyalty of existing ones.
Having a visually outdated website can be a major risk for your brand. Potential customers are always looking for visually attractive websites that are easy to navigate. Failing to refresh your website can lead to a decline in traffic, engagement, and revenue. In some cases, it may misrepresent your brand values and hurt your online reputation. A well-designed website that reflects your brand message can boost your credibility and generate leads and conversions.
Video and animation have also become increasingly important in online marketing, and striking the right balance between copy and imagery is paramount. Many individuals have begun prioritizing visual content over extensive text-based material, and an overloaded site can lead to decreased performance. Excessively verbose pages can appear cluttered and disjointed and be overwhelming for your audience. Furthermore, blatant overuse of keywords can push you further down search engine results pages. While once thought to be an effective way to improve search engine optimization (SEO), keyword stuffing can now result in penalties from Google. Instead, focus on core performance metrics – including good page speed and adherence to core web vital standards. From our experience, people tend to engage more with shorter content accompanied by imagery.
Sign 4:
Absence of Accessibility
Having an accessible website is essential. It’s no longer just a matter of convenience or courtesy – it’s a legal requirement. But what does it mean for a website to be accessible? A great starting point is to ensure that your site passes A11Y standards. This organization has created a super nifty checklist formulated from The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), which set out best practices for creating websites that are functional for all users.
Your website should be maneuverable for any user. Remember, if you make something easier for one person, chances are everyone will benefit. That’s the beauty of inclusive design. Ensuring that your site has correct color contrast is crucial for people with visual impairments – so is including featured images accompanied by alt text, which is essential for people using screen readers to understand what they’re viewing. By prioritizing accessibility, you create a more inclusive online presence and show your audience how much they matter to you.
Sign 5:
Your Content Is Older Than Your Encyclopedias
Content is like produce; the fresher, the better. Your content needs to resonate with users and include the correct search terms to help boost your SEO. But it’s about more than having the right words on your page. Your site also needs to be designed to help convert visitors into customers. Keep your site fresh by regularly updating it with new blog posts, current events, and press releases. And remember the importance of SEO optimization throughout your content, including headings, subheadings, title tags, and meta descriptions. Ensuring that everything on your site is optimized from both a content and SEO perspective can help make your website stand out from the competition. Now go clean out your fridge. I know there’s mold in that produce drawer…
Sign 6:
You Can’t Manage Your Site
It’s crucial to have a website that is visually pleasing and easy to manage from a backend perspective. If your website is built with outdated technology or in HTML, it may be hard or even impossible to make updates. At Workhorse, we understand the importance of controlling your destiny. That’s why we build your website with user-friendly features that empower you to make content and imagery updates whenever needed. Our expert team will guide you on how to use your website so that you’re not held hostage by a developer.
Take, for instance, the sites we’ve built for Hai Hospitality’s family of restaurants – Uchi, Uchiko, and Uchiba. Our approach has enabled managers to update menu changes and alter necessary information without disrupting other pages on the website. Each site is as fresh as the menus, which, in turn, reflects the brand’s core values.
The Wrap-Up
As a business owner, it’s not always crystal clear when it’s time to update your website. That’s why asking yourself some critical questions about your site’s performance is important. First, is your website user-friendly and easy to navigate from a technical standpoint? Are you experiencing high bounce rates or low engagement from your visitors? Additionally, is your website driving the results you need, such as conversions and sales? As critical as the technical aspects may be, it’s equally crucial that it’s a visual representation of all that you offer. If your website isn’t meeting these standards, you need to holla at us! At Workhorse Marketing, we’re experts in creating effective, visually stunning websites that will drive results for your business. Contact us to learn more and get started on your website revamp today!
