Has it been a while since you first launched your website?
Does your website look a little funky on smartphones or tablets?
It may be time for a website redesign.
A website redesign may involve designing a new visual identity, reformatting for enhanced mobile user experience, updating content, or optimizing your site for search engines. Don’t let your company fall into the abyss of an outdated website. Providing inaccurate or out-of-date information can hurt your business. Your website is often the introduction online consumers have to your business, and first impressions are crucial.
If your site is difficult to use or the content is no longer relevant, online consumers are more likely to move away from your business.
Diagnostic tests to evaluate if your website needs a redesign:
Examine the look and feel. Websites are like cars. It’s easy to pick out the older model from around the modern ones. Make sure your company’s site doesn’t resemble an ’84 Impala.
Look at your nearest competitors. Do they have a more interesting presence online? Does their image look more professional and polished? If so, improving your web presence could provide a competitive edge.
Can search engines find you? Sales grow when customers can find you online, through search engine optimization and quality coding and design.
When was the last time your website had an overhaul? If it’s been more than 2 years, you should plan for a significant update.
7 Reasons to Update Your Site
- Your site doesn’t work well on mobile devices. Over 60% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. This includes small laptops, tablets, and smartphones. By incorporating responsive design into your new website, your site’s ranking on Google will be higher and your audience will have a much more pleasant experience.
- Your site doesn’t include social media integration. If your website doesn’t integrate social media in some way, you are way behind the times (and probably behind your competitors, as well). Including links to your social network profiles is the bare minimum you should include – even better is adding social sharing tools that make it easy for users to share, tweet or pin your content. Redesigning your website can help make it easier for users to connect with you socially and spread the word about your business via their social networks.
- You need to add new functionality. If you want to add a blog, e-commerce, or other major features or tools to your website, a redesign is probably in order. That way you can ensure that everything flows seamlessly throughout the website, and it won’t look like the new feature was just tacked on as an afterthought.
- Your site navigation is confusing. If site visitors can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll leave and look elsewhere. If that’s the case, you’ll definitely want a new website design that is user-friendly and keeps your visitors happy.
- You are rebranding. If your business has undergone a rebranding, you’ll most certainly need to redesign your website (along with your other marketing materials). And rebranding isn’t always just about a new logo and colors – it often will require an update to the content of your website, as well, so don’t forget that aspect of your website makeover.
- Your site uses old technology. Web technology is always changing, and what was cool and cutting-edge a few years ago may be out-of-date today (Flash, anyone?). With a website redesign, you can take advantage of the latest technology that web-savvy users expect.
- Your site needs new energy. It happens to everyone – sometimes we just need a change. If you think your website is starting to look a little tired, chances are your site visitors think so, too. A fresh design may be just what you need to stir up a little excitement about your website. A website redesign can be a daunting task, but partnering with a good web design company can make the process a lot easier (and even fun!). Remember, a well-designed website is one of the most effective marketing tools you’ve got – make the most of it by keeping it fresh, up-to-date, and easy to use.