The tools of business eventually wear down and need to be replaced. Your website is a tool like any other, and even if the “wear and tear” isn’t apparent, it’s still in need of periodic updating. Regular monitoring and maintenance of a website to prevent crashes and security problems are one part of the equation. Still, this doesn’t address the problems that can develop with a website over time, and what these might be saying about your business. Here are some important considerations and flags that signal that it’s time to redesign your website.
Your Business Evolves, and So Should Your Website
Recent history is filled with stories about businesses making major changes to survive the pandemic, but realistically, businesses can pivot throughout their lifecycle. A move, new products or services, a new approach to delivery, pricing, or staffing, or any number of other changes may be necessary to keep your business healthy. When you make the decision to pivot, your website needs to reflect the new approach. A website redesign is a critical update to your potential and existing customers about where the business is today as opposed to the last time the site was updated.
A business change may not be as deliberate as a pivot. An audit of your website traffic and other markers of customer interest and engagement can reveal that the strengths and weaknesses of the business have changed. You may want to emphasize the latter and address the former and make deliberate decisions about the information revealed in your audit. This can involve a change in the user experience (UX) on the website to facilitate engagement where you want it to be happening.
Tech and Trends
When was the last time you listened to an iPod? At one point, it was the most popular music device out there, but major shifts in technology have resulted in Apple deciding to discontinue the entire line. The same can be said for website technology. One obvious example is a website that looks great on a computer and fails to deliver on a mobile phone. Website design tools and technology are constantly changing, so a perfectly adequate – if not cutting edge – website from a couple of years ago may look bad, or worse, its inner workings may no longer be supported by the platform. While it’s not necessary to update your website design every time WordPress comes out with a new plugin, you need to periodically trade up to a more modern model.
Time to Redesign That Website?
Unlike an update, which can be anything from a new blog post to an announcement about a seasonal sale, a redesign is a deep dive into site, often starting from the ground up to consider everything from colors and fonts to the fundamental layout and messaging of the site. Updates can and should occur much more often, but a good redesign needs to be a regular part of your marketing and business strategy as well. According to HubSpot, “71% of marketing leaders report that they redesign their website every one to three years.” While you may not want to be a marketing leader, these businesses are onto something since a website redesign should occur in this timeframe.
If you still aren’t sure about whether you need a redesign, here is a checklist of issues that signal that it’s time to make a change:
- Inconsistencies across your brand
- Your website is difficult to navigate
- Your website is not responsive
- Your website needs new functionality
- Your website has security issues
- Your competitors have better websites
- Your website is slow
- Your website has poor user experience
- Your website has bad conversion rates
- Your website has SEO difficulties
- Your website has an outdated design
- It isn’t easy to update your website content
- Your website has a high bounce rate
- Your website is old
Has it been a while since you looked at your website with an eye for a change? Moin Agency can partner with you to assess the need and provide the design services that will keep your website current and capable of delivering on important branding and marketing needs in your business. Contact us today to discuss your website.