Websites are an important part of your business – but only if it adds benefit to your business. An outdated website detracts from, both, the reputation of your business among prospective customers, and your results page ranking in search engines. So, how can you tell if you need a website redesign?
This article lays out some of the biggest indicators that your website is in need of an update. Find out why your website is getting fewer visitors than it should, and how a redesign can help. Learn about the differences between the aesthetic side of a website redesign and the technical upgrades.
Do You Need a Website Redesign? Top Indicators of an Outdated Website
Take a look at the date of copyright in the footer of your website. If it is over 5 years old then you seriously need to consider the up-to-date status of your website. Another telltale sign of a website that needs to be updated is featuring blog articles over 2 years old.
But, what are the practical reasons for a website redesign – other than the need to simply update existing content? A redesign of your website takes into account the current best-practices for website development. Like a leaky roof on a house – redesigning your website results in a better functioning product, as well as, a better-looking product.
But, how do you know if your website is out-of-date enough to warrant a website redesign? Here, are some blatant indications that your website infrastructure is falling out-of-date, and you should get a redesign for your website:
Can You Edit Your Website Easily on a CMS?
A content management system (CMS) is the foundation for administrators to control their website. Without a CMS, website admin is expected to edit content through raw code. A CMS allows admin to control website functionality and content through an easy-to-use interface.
If you cannot easily edit the content on your website, chances are, that your website is featuring outdated information. Modern websites feature an easy-to-use admin dashboard, on the backend of the CMS, where you can delete, add, and edit content. A website redesign offers control over your website’s functionality, without needing to know how to code.
Is Your Website Generating Conversions?
If your website is generating conversions, you are on the right track. If your website isn’t generating conversions, it isn’t working for the benefit of your business – and you need a website redesign. But, how do you know if your website is generating conversions?
Whether or not your website seems to be effective at driving conversions, you have to know why. If you don’t know why your website is driving conversions, you could be missing out on exponentially more conversions. If you don’t know why your website is not driving conversions, you will never know – unless you look at the metrics.
The main tool of the trade, for tracking website metrics, is Google Analytics. Other tools are out there, such as heat mapping, to help you understand the behavior of your website’s users, but Google Analytics gives you all the information you need to know where your website is being effective, and where it is falling short.
Is Your Bounce-rate High?
You find the bounce rate for your website pages on Google Analytics. The bounce rate tells you how many users are failing to interact with your website after requesting your website’s URL in their web browser.
A low bounce rate means that the users who go to your website are successfully interacting with content. A high bounce rate means that something is wrong because users are not interacting with your content. And, many factors can contribute to a high bounce rate.
A high bounce rate can be the result of many individual issues with your website that coalesce into a user’s decision to not engage. Users are detoured when they encounter a text-heavy website. That’s what a blog is for.
Are You Utilizing Your Websites Blog?
If your website has a large volume of text content to offer visitors, it belongs on a blog. The blog is where you offer visitors in-depth information and substantive value through media. A website redesign uses your blog for driving users to your website’s service pages.
Does It Take More Than 3 Seconds to Load a Page?
In 2017, Google released statistics on how a website’s page loading speed translates the bounce rate. It says, for web pages that take from 1 to 3 seconds to load, there is a 32% increased chance that a user will bounce. Compare that, with pages that take between 3 to 5 seconds to load, in which there is a 90% chance that users will bounce.
The visual quality of a website is only the tip of the iceberg. A website redesign involves, both, aesthetic and technical updates. The technical side of your website redesign focuses on functionality optimizations.
If your web pages are taking around 3 seconds, or more, it probably has to do with overweight datafiles and bulky content. Contact us to learn more about optimizing and speeding up your website.
Is Your Site Mobile Responsive?
Responsive websites are built to work seamlessly on mobile devices. If your website is not built to be responsive, you are missing the bulk of internet users. When you load-up your website from your smartphone or tablet, it should automatically resize the web pages to fit your mobile browser.
Mobile browsing has become the primary form of internet usage, and in 2019, around 80% of website users used a mobile device to initiate an internet connection. When it comes to online buying, 40% of purchases were made from a mobile device in 2019. Given the high rate of mobile device users, your website has everything to lose by neglecting a responsive redesign.
Is it Time to Get a Website Redesign?
Just like the human body – an attractive website features good health, both, on the inside and on the outside. A website redesign can enable your business to grow its online presence and audience through technical upgrades and an updated aesthetic. And it readies your business to integrate more day-to-day functionality onto a digital platform.
If you want more information regarding a website redesign, contact us for a free consultation. And, share this article with your social media community to help share the knowledge.