Occasionally I'll be browsing the web and stumble upon a site so uninspiring and unresponsive it looks like a relic from the earliest days of the internet, but for most websites built in the last few years, the signs of dating are more subtle.
While many modern websites built in the past few years will be passable, they are likely to fall well short of their full potential, due to changes in both user habits and technology.
In this blog, we look at the tell-tale clues your site may be due for a makeover.
1
Your website no longer
accurately reflects your brand
Over time, brands evolve; if your website doesn't keep up, you risk diminishing your credibility and portraying yours as a company that doesn't care about its digital presence.
Investing in a modern, updated web design with high-quality aesthetics can help effectively communicate and reinforce your brand and keep your users interested and engaged.
2
Your website takes over 2 seconds to load
Two seconds may not seem long, but multiple research studies into online browsing behaviour show it to be at the upper threshold the average website visitor will wait for a webpage to load.
If your page doesn't appear almost instantly, 47% of users say they would most likely move to the next site in a search rather than wait. Slow load time also negatively affects SEO.
The older your website, the more likely your code and content are slowing you down and costing you business.
A website redesign can significantly speed up load time and reduce bounce rate by simply converting imagery to the latest optimised formats, using lightweight, minimal designs and elements, compressing pages and stripping code and tags back to just the necessary additions.
3
Your search rankings are poor
These days to make it onto the first search engine results page (SERP) usually requires supporting even the best keyword-rich content and organic SEO efforts with paid search and pay-per-click (PPC) ads.
But outdated architecture can also be an invisible hurdle stopping your website from hitting those top search rankings.
A professionally redesigned website can ensure your content and internal page navigation is formatted to complement the latest search engine algorithms making it easier for web crawlers to crawl your website for indexing to gain and maintain top rankings.
4
Your website isn't mobile-friendly
Since 2017 mobile devices (excluding tablets) have consistently accounted for around 50% of global website traffic. Currently sitting at 54.8% in 2021, this move to mobile browsing will only continue to rise.
Therefore weabsites that are not mobile responsive and optimised for viewing and navigation on smartphones lose large portions of their prospective audience.
So if you still have a website that users need to pinch and zoom in to view on their mobile phone, you are already long overdue for an overhaul.
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5
You need a developer to
update content
If your custom website predates the content management system (CMS) revolution, then it is likely even a minor change on your site requires calling in a web developer for some complex backend coding.
The hassle, time and cost of this arrangement often mean older websites get updated only periodically (if at all), leading to poor search performance and a lack of engaging, relevant content for users.
Redesigning your website to include an easy-to-use CMS means you can make basic, timely changes such as adding blog posts, updating events, editing product descriptions and adding images in-house in minutes without any specialist know-how.
6
Your product range or
services have changed
If the Covid 19 pandemic has taught us anything being able to rapidly respond to change and maintaining an online presence is now essential for business suravival.
Even if your business exists predominantly as a local bricks and mortar store, it makes sense to rebuild your website with the architecture necessary to quickly and easily adapt.
A modern, flexible website lets you stay connected to your customers, manage online orders and sales and continue to offer remote services and support even when your physical doors are closed.
7
Your website doesn't integrate with your business management systems
With so many excellent purpose-built online business management tools available, it is time to update your website when data inputs don't seamlessly populate them.
Connecting your site to your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solution and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software offers huge benefits.
From capturing leads, making more informed decisions, accessing detailed information faster, preparing key reports automatically, to tracking transactions as they occur.
8
Your website isn't secure
These days to make it onto the first search engine results page (SERP) usually requires supporting even the best keyword-rich content and organic SEO efforts with paid search and pay-per-click (PPC) ads.
But outdated architecture can also be an invisible hurdle stopping your website from hitting those top search rankings.
A professionally redesigned website can ensure your content and internal page navigation is formatted to complement the latest search engine algorithms making it easier for web crawlers to crawl your website for indexing to gain and maintain top rankings.
9
Your website traffic, leads and
conversions have dropped off
If your website looks a little outdated but is otherwise delivering strong, consistent results for your business, there's probably no urgent need to make any changes.
However, if you've seen a significant drop-off in traffic, leads and conversions, then it is clear your visitors are either unimpressed or couldn't easily find what they were looking for.
Bad website design layout, outdated aesthetics and poor usability are major credibility killers, and online consumers are far less likely to return to a site after a bad experience.
If your website has become stale and stalled, it is time for a refresh to get it moving again.
10
Your competitors all have websites that “wow”
When several rival businesses in your niche have recently invested in new professionally designed custom websites, and you haven't updated your site to compete aesthetically, you run the risk of looking like a rundown house on a newly gentrified street.
There will be multiple results for any given search query that fit a user's needs; the better the options, the lower their tolerance for bad websites will be.
Websites are judged swiftly and ruthlessly; it takes just 50 milliseconds for visitors to form a first impression of your website and decide whether to stay or leave.
So it is wise to regularly check in on your nearest SERP neighbours because when it comes to website design, you need to try and keep up with the Joneses.
If any of the above website warning signs applies to your business, it may be time for a website redesign.
Zeemo is a full-service web design agency in Melbourne providing professional custom solutions tailored to elevate and invigorate your brand and improve the performance of your website.
Contact our friendly web design team for an obligation free quote.
