10 Signs Your Website Needs an Update
Don Stevens, Author, Technology and Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing and PR Consultant with Technology Expertise
Is your website showing its age?
Although it's spring, some people are still making resolutions ... particularly if the ones they made on New Year's Day didn't "stick"-- You understand, the ones about updating your website!
Now is the ideal time to make that resolution a reality.
Let's face it. A number of us look at website redesign as a hassle. If our current websites are up and running-- even if they're not best-- we put off upgrading them due to the fact that we believe it's not a top priority.
Spoiler alert: It should always be a top priority.
Having an out-of-date website can erode trust with your existing customers and make it difficult to attract brand-new ones.
Does your website require a facelift in 2019?
Here are 10 sure-fire indications that it does ...
# 1: It's Not Mobile Responsive
I understand you probably think I'm beating a dead horse with this one, but mobile responsiveness is no longer a choice in 2019.
It's a need.
Google penalizes websites that don't adjust to the size of the device they're being seen on. And the reality is, this is a simple repair. There's no reason not to do it-- and it can actively injure you if you don't.
# 2: Your Site Is Difficult to Update
You may utilize the problem of updating as a reason NOT to upgrade, but in fact, it's a clear sign that you should upgrade-- and immediately. It's the very best method to be sure you can remain on top of future Google updates and technological enhancements.
# 3: It Looks Outdated
There are a lot of little things that can make a site keep an eye out of date. For instance, which variation of the Twitter and Instagram logos do you have on your blog or homepage? If your Twitter logo design has the old bird with the tuft of plumes on its head, your website might appear like it's from the dark ages.
Patterns in web design are constantly changing. If your website looks like it was developed in the early 2000s (and even the early 2010s) then it's time to accept today and upgrade it.
# 4: Your Conversion Rate is Too Low
There are lots of elements that can contribute to a low conversion rate, including your social networks presence and marketing strategy. Nevertheless, there's no concern that your website-- its design, filling time, usability, and other factors-- contributes.
It's an especially good indication that your site requires updating if you've fine-tuned your marketing campaigns and you've still got a low conversion rate. Something's frightening potential consumers away-- and if it's your site, there's just one way to repair it.
# 5: You Have Autoplay on Your Website
Autoplay is dated and annoying, but there's a more vital factor that you require to ditch it in 2019 as part of your site redesign. It is highly likely adding to a slow page load time. I get that you were probably eager to have people watch your video or listen to your audio at the time of your LAST redesign, but it's time for a modification.
Honestly, I think the inflammation level of autoplay far surpasses any potential advantage. You're better off putting your video above the fold with a killer thumbnail and a compelling pull quote than you are autoplaying it.
# 6: Your Branding Isn't Current
This is most common with my clients. Have you rebranded your company because the last time you updated your website? If so, this suggests that your site runs out sync with your branding-- and visitors aren't getting a true image of you and your business when they visit it.
Even if your branding modifications are minor-- such as an updated logo or tagline-- it's still worth redoing your site to match it.
# 7: It Takes Forever to Load
You've most likely heard the statistic that says that people have a shorter attention period than a goldfish. It sounds absurd, however when it concerns how rapidly a website loads, it's true.
Not just that, however Google punishes sites that take too long to load. You can use their Page Speed tool to check your website's loading time.
# 8: Your Web Design Isn't Consistent
Possibly your last web redesign was 10 years ago and in the interim, you had a different designer make a couple of tweaks to the style. Perhaps you even did a bit of shows yourself. If that's the case, you may have a Frankensite that appears like it was put together by a committee-- not a good thing.
If your typefaces, colors, menus, and other style elements are a hodgepodge and not consistent throughout, a redesign can help you provide a cohesive style that will bring in new consumers rather of frightening them.
# 9: Your Google Rank is Too Low
Google prioritizes properly designed, quick-loading sites with terrific material. If it's been a while given that your last redesign, the opportunities are good that your site isn't ranked as high as it might be on Google.
It's a particularly big warning if your ranking has actually slipped regardless of increased social media exposure and a higher-than-usual marketing budget plan. Don't disregard Google's response to your site. It's not going to get any better if you wait to upgrade it.
# 10: It Just Doesn't Look Good
This last one might seem obvious and unnecessary, but I'm including it because a whopping 48% of customers state that a company's site is the most essential consider identifying reliability. Simply put, an unsightly or inadequately developed site can terrify potential leads away.
If that's insufficient to frighten you into upgrading your website, I do not know what is!
If any of the ten things on this list noise familiar, don't wait. 2019 is the ideal time to update your site and benefit from increased conversions, an improvement in your Google rank, and-- most importantly-- more profits!
A website facelift doesn't have to be difficult with the right tools and platform. Message me to chat about a redesign. We have several templates, funnels, and custom designs plus sales tools to help.
Cheers,
Don