Last Updated on July 1, 2021 by
How do you know if you need to refresh your website design?
People spend a lot of time online. In fact, recent reports show that in 2019, the average internet user spent 6 hours and 42 online every day. Are you wondering what, exactly, are people doing online for hours on end?
It’s no surprise that the most visited website across the world is Google. YouTube and Facebook are coming in at second and third after the monster search engine. Social media and ecommerce are two online industry leaders, which means a lot for businesses trying to expand their online presence.
Website design is crucial in attracting and retaining customers. Online visitors have little patience for websites that don’t function properly, and they want a user experience that is simple and rewarding.
Many businesses may not realize that they need a website refresh because it’s in serious need of an update. In many cases, the site may benefit from being completely redesigned to focus on the latest and greatest trends in your industry. Taking a closer look at your current website can reveal problem areas, from boring content to broken links.
Here are the telltale signs that you need a website redesign::
It’s been more than two years since you made any updates
Even if your products or services haven’t changed, it’s a good idea to update your website every two years. Technology changes rapidly and there are often new website updates that can help your site function better.
Web designers understand the latest trends and can redesign your site to incorporate new features that elevate the user experience. It’s also very important to design your website in a way that makes future updates easier. The key to a successful site with efficient search engine optimization is frequently updated content. A good content management system can make necessary updates much simpler.
You’re not getting enough website traffic or leads
The whole purpose of having a website for your business is to build a client base. If your website isn’t getting much traffic, that means you won’t have many leads. The best way to increase traffic to your site is to ensure that you optimize for SEO.
Redesigning your website is a great opportunity to optimize its content to get higher search rankings. Using the right keywords and meta tags, creating quality content, and ensuring that all of your links work properly all play a part in this process.
It’s vulnerable to cyberattacks
Websites that sell products or services are almost always dealing with sensitive consumer information. Visitors need to know that their privacy is protected, and a website with a bad reputation for cyberattacks is going to suffer.
In general, people won’t trust a website that isn’t secure. In fact, many online users will set up their browser to reject any site that pops up as “not secure.” A good web redesign will ensure that your site follows security protocols like installing and updating SSL certificates. Protecting your client’s personal information is essential.
It isn’t optimized for mobile use
Years ago, redesigning and maintaining a website was easier, because people weren’t using multiple types of devices. Today, if your website isn’t optimized for mobile use, you’re in big trouble.
People use their smartphones for everything, from ordering pizzas to shopping to paying their electric bills. In addition to smartphones, they’re also using tablets and laptops. The old website you had designed for desktop computers isn’t automatically one-size-fits-all. You need a web design expert with the experience necessary to make sure your visitors will have a flawless experience on all of their devices.
It doesn’t match your brand or deliver your message
Most of the time, a business must evolve to stay current and keep up with the competition. Your website should be evolving with you, otherwise your customers won’t understand what you’re all about.
For example, let’s say that you own a small landscaping company. You’ve always offered lawn services, yard cleanup, and patio creation. Last year, you hired a landscape designer. Now in addition to the basic yard cleanup and lawn mowing, your company can design and build beautiful gardens, walkways, stoops, and a whole slew of gorgeous creations. Unfortunately, you haven’t updated your website. When your current customers (the ones whose yards you’ve been cleaning every spring) are looking for landscape designers, they’re going with your competitor because they popped up first on a Google search.
It’s lacking in creativity and appeal
First appearances are incredibly important, and a potential customer will definitely notice if your site is dull, confusing, or just overall unpleasant. They’ll associate the state of your website with the way you do business.
It’s always a good idea to understand the competition, know their services work or how their products compare to yours. The same can be said for your website design. Check out the competitors and get a solid understanding of how they’re connecting with customers online. Create your own unique website design with this in mind, and be sure your visitors are getting the best experience with your company.
It isn’t performing properly
One of the biggest problems with an outdated website is that it may not function properly. Online visitors aren’t the most patient crowd, and if your website doesn’t work, they’ll be quick to move on to the next one.
Research shows that 53% of mobile website visitors will only wait for three seconds for a website to load. If your pages aren’t loading properly, you’re going to notice your bounce rate skyrocket. Your bounce rate refers to how many people visit your site only to leave before viewing other pages. In addition to fast-loading pages, you need to pay attention to other critical components of website performance. Links should work properly, shopping carts and checkout processes shouldn’t have any bugs, and the site should be easy to navigate.
A great website design can ensure that your customers have a positive experience when using your site. It can also help increase your search engine rankings, bring more traffic to your site, and reduce your bounce rate.
Please feel free to contact us to learn more about the experienced Nimbletoad web design team. We can enhance your existing website and create an exceptional user experience that will help your business grow in leaps and bounds.
Drew is an avid photographer whose images have won many awards.In fact, all of the images on this site were taken by him.
When he is not helping Nimbletoad's clients stand out online you'll find him surfing, hiking in the mountains, or fishing off the coast for yellowtail.
He lives in Vista, located at the northern tip of San Diego, with his wife Brooke and their three dogs Nora, Oliver, and Fin.
- Pros and Cons of Joining Your Local Chamber of Commerce - October 6, 2021
- What is Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising? - September 21, 2021
- What is a Lead Magnet? 5 Great Benefits to Consider - September 8, 2021