Your website serves as the virtual face of your business, often forming the initial impression potential customers have of your brand. Much like a physical storefront, your website requires regular maintenance and updates to remain appealing and functional. We have come across multiple websites in the past that looked like they had been thrown together in 30 minutes or less. A lot of it had to do with a business owner needing an online presence, looking for a website to do that, and then finding it very difficult to design one. This results in a website that is there, but doesn’t not appeal to anyone. Unfortunately, we see this more often than not. We also see pretty ok websites, but it looks like they were made in the early 2000s – it’s time for an update on that layout! So, how can you determine if it’s time for a website redesign? Let’s explore 12 key indicators:
1. Outdated Design and Layout:
An outdated design and layout can significantly impact your website’s effectiveness. If your site appears old, with clunky graphics, mismatched fonts, or an overall lack of visual appeal, it may deter visitors from engaging with your content. If you had a restaurant website and you wanted a user to check out your specials, but your website did not have a visual appeal, they may skip to the menu and not see your awesome specials (which they could love) or move on to the next restaurant in town. A modern, visually appealing design demonstrates professionalism and can instill trust in your brand. It can also keep viewers on your website for longer, allowing you to convince and sell them more. You do not want them to stop at the header and decide that this business is not for them – you need them to instantly know that your business is better than the rest.
2. Slow Loading Speeds:
In an era where speed is paramount and people’s patience is thin, a website that takes too long to load can drive visitors away. Factors such as large image files, excessive plugins, or outdated coding can contribute to slow loading times. Get rid of those PNG images or large JPEG files. Minimize your images through an online website called Tinypng.com. If you are a WordPress user, ensure you have a cache plugin and ensure that it is the right one for your hosting. We found out that one hosting provider preferred, and was faster, with the LiteSpeed cache plugin while another preferred the W3 cache plugin – both websites performed better with their unique cache plugin. Another point to consider is to not have too many plugins! Do you really need to chat to your users 24/7? Why not insert your WhatsApp number link?
Studies show that even a one-second delay in page load time can lead to a significant drop in conversions. Therefore, optimizing your website’s speed is crucial for retaining visitors and improving user experience. We believe that having a fast-loading homepage is key and the rest of the website is a bonus but try to keep your loading speeds under 5 seconds as a maximum.
Check out our article on the three different web hosting servers in South Africa which could help boost your website speeds.
3. Not Mobile-Friendly:
With the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, having a mobile-friendly website is no longer optional—it’s essential. A non-responsive website that doesn’t adapt to different screen sizes can frustrate mobile users, leading to high bounce rates and lost opportunities. A responsive redesign ensures that your site looks and functions seamlessly across all devices, enhancing user experience and accessibility. Ever click on to a website with your phone and have an image pop out to the side, or have writing go off the screen? If that was important information that you needed the viewer to see, you have wasted that part of your site to convince your potential user to go with you.
We know that more people focus on the desktop view as we all build our sites from a laptop. At Crafted Websites, we always build our websites for our clients with a phone next to us as well as checking the view within the builder. Sometimes, the builder can be wrong – ensure that you double-check with your phone and go as far as checking it with a friend or family member’s phone.
*Tip: Empty your cache if you have updated your page and nothing has happened on your phone – it could be that the browser or your plugin has cached the old website’s content and so it is still serving that content to you. If you empty your browser’s cache, it should fix that problem.
4. High Bounce Rate:
A high bounce rate—a metric indicating the percentage of visitors who leave your site after viewing only one page—often indicates that something is amiss. It could be a lack of relevance, poor design, or slow loading speeds. Analyzing bounce rate data can provide insights into areas that need improvement, guiding your redesign efforts to create a more engaging and compelling website. Use Google Analytics. Simply create an account and link it to your website (Google will show you how to do this) or you could install a plugin called MonsterInsights. A general rule of thumb is to get a bounce rate of less than 40%. A bounce rate of above 50% could mean you need to look at your content or design – are you answering your potential client’s questions on your homepage? Do you have too little or too much information?
5. Poor User Experience:
User experience encompasses various elements, including navigation, readability, and accessibility. A website with confusing navigation menus, excessive pop-ups, or hard-to-find information can frustrate visitors and drive them to seek solutions elsewhere. How many times have you been to a website and a pop-up keeps, well, popping up, hindering you from moving forward or completing what you needed to do? Pop-ups are useful but don’t overdo them and certainly don’t set them to pop off straight away. Scenario: what if someone has come on to your site for the first time and doesn’t know what you do and you then offer them 10% off their first purchase…useless, right?
Also, having hard-to-find information and/or vague information can become frustrating for a first-time user. If your menu title is ‘about us’, we would not recommend you continue selling your services – this is a personal page. Ask the question, “What would the user need to know on this page?”. Get into your user’s mind and ask some common questions. We see a lot of businesses talk about their business and what they do, but they don’t hit home with what makes them different. What makes your business different?
Find out how to create a homepage with an easy-to-follow template on our home page.
By prioritizing user experience in your redesign, you can make it easier for visitors to find what they need and engage with your content effectively.
6. Low Conversion Rates:
Conversion rate refers to the percentage of visitors who complete a desired action, such as making a purchase or filling out a contact form. If your website’s conversion rates are below expectations, it may indicate issues with the design, messaging, or overall user experience. A redesign focused on optimizing conversion paths and removing barriers can help improve conversion rates and drive business growth.
Don’t get too dismayed if you have little to no conversions with a new website or a recently updated one. The competition in today’s online world is fierce. With websites, it involves constant changes and trial and error to create a winning website. Be patient but also ask the question of why. Are you answering common questions and is it easy for your viewers to find the necessary information that they need to make that step forward? If not, consider an additional section, or a page, or to go even further a whole new design.
7. Outdated Plus Too Much Content:
Content freshness is crucial for maintaining relevance and credibility in the eyes of both visitors and search engines. Outdated content, such as expired promotions or irrelevant blog posts, can detract from your website’s authority and effectiveness. Regularly updating and refreshing your content demonstrates your commitment to staying current and engaging with your audience’s needs.
A simple change is when your website was first created – usually in the footer. We have seen websites dated back to 2008 – not good. In SEO today, posting constantly can help with your SEO in answering common questions about your business and industry, but it can also let Google know that you are still around and that your website deserves a spot. It can also show your viewers and clients that you are staying up to date with your industry, which can help prove that you are a qualified expert in your field.
Too much content can also affect user retention as the viewer does not need to know your business’s life story on the homepage. Keep information brief while linking to additional pages for more information – have the user decide if they want to find more information.
8. Not Reflecting Your Brand:
Your website should serve as a digital extension of your brand identity, conveying your unique values, personality, and positioning. If your current site fails to align with your brand image or messaging, it can create confusion and dilute your brand’s impact. A redesign focused on brand consistency and storytelling can strengthen your brand identity and foster deeper connections with your audience.
Our one client, Al Pescatore, was completing a revamp to their restaurant and they needed a website design. Before waiting for the revamp to finish, they got to the website so that they could both align with their new interior design as well as their colours and brand identity. You don’t want your viewers wondering if they clicked on the right website or walked into the wrong business – they should seamlessly connect.
9. Poor Search Engine Rankings:
Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a critical role in determining your website’s visibility and traffic. If your site struggles to rank well in search engine results pages (SERPs), it may be due to issues such as outdated optimization techniques, poor site structure, or lack of relevant content. A redesign that incorporates modern SEO best practices can help improve your site’s visibility and attract more organic traffic.
Google is constantly changing its ranking factors. Either staying up to date with them or servicing it out to someone or an agency can help you rank higher for longer. Additionally, over the years from your website being designed and created, continue with those blog posts. Answering common questions from your potential clients can greatly increase your chances of being noticed by Google.
Common SEO practices such as using your H1 title tag to let Google know what your website is all about can go a long way. Do not label your comic book online shop “shop” – label it so Google knows what the page is about, i.e. “Browse our online comic bookstore”. H2 tags also play a critical role. To follow that example, split the products into categories of different comic books, like “The Spiderman comic book collection”, or “The Batman collection”. Letting Google understand your web page can greatly affect your SEO rankings and it can also help your user navigate your website. Find out more on how to write content for SEO
*Tip: Do not keyword stack and try not to repeat keywords – Google knows!
10. Security Concerns:
Website security is a paramount concern in today’s digital landscape, with cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated. A website that lacks proper security measures, such as SSL encryption, regular software updates, and strong password protocols, is vulnerable to hacking and data breaches. A redesign focused on enhancing security features can safeguard your business and protect sensitive information.
There is not much more to explain on this, but we have seen time and time again, websites that don’t even have an SSL certificate (https). It instantly turns potential users away and it will not help your SEO rankings – make sure this is in place.
11. Lack of Integration with Other Tools:
Efficient business operations often rely on seamless integration between your website and other tools and platforms, such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing software, or e-commerce platforms. If your website fails to integrate effectively with these tools, it can lead to manual workarounds, data discrepancies, and inefficiencies. A redesign aimed at improving integration capabilities can streamline workflows and enhance overall productivity.
We had a beauty salon business come to us and the lady who ran it was overloaded and sometimes missed clients because she forgot and didn’t have a system to go from. We installed a basic online booking system where all she needed to do was to find out who was coming in and at what time. This automatically took a heavy burden and struggle off her shoulders. Make your website work for you, not the other way around.
12. Your Competitors Have Updated Their Websites:
Finally, keeping an eye on your competitors’ online presence can provide valuable insights into industry trends and customer expectations. If your competitors have recently launched updated websites with modern designs, enhanced features, and improved user experiences, it’s a clear indication that it’s time to reassess and revamp your own website to remain competitive.
We’d like to encourage you by being the one who sets that off. Don’t wait for the competition to update their website for you to follow suit. Staying ahead of your competition could increase customer retention and it could gain customer loyalty from your competition. Don’t wait, act.
Conclusion:
Your website is a vital asset in establishing your online presence and engaging with your target audience. By paying attention to these 12 signs and investing in a strategic website redesign, you can ensure that your website continues to effectively represent your brand, attract visitors, and drive business growth. At Crafted Websites, we specialize in creating custom-designed websites that align with your brand vision and business goals. Contact us today to explore how we can help you elevate your online presence with a professional website redesign.
Crafted Websites
Crafting Your Window To The World.
0 Comments