To compete in today’s world, your company needs a well-designed website that is engaging, easy to navigate, and meets the needs of your various audiences.
A study published by Stanford University stated that over 75% of customers judge your credibility by the design of your site. Given that website tech is constantly evolving, consider these 8 reasons why it may be time to update your site.
1) Your Site is Not Mobile Responsive
Almost 25% of all searches and 50% of local searches happen on a mobile device. In fact, in the US alone, one quarter of all internet users only have a mobile device. What does this mean to you? It’s simple: if your website isn’t optimized, you’re missing out on customers and it’s definitely time for a redesign!
2) You’re Still Using Flash
Flash died more than five years ago. In fact, the iPhone and iPad have never supported it, even as far back as 2008 when the first iPhone came out and search engines such as Google and Yahoo can’t even read it (which means it kills your SEO). If you like (or need) animation, HTML5 is a great alternative, and it is completely compatible with all browsers and smartphones (at least as we’re writing this!).
3) Search Engine Rankings for Your Business Are Low
The various search engine algorithms have evolved and continue to do so, constantly. Low organic search engine rankings are a clear indicator that you need to update your site. High ranking sites keep pace with the changes and produce content that resonates with current trends.
4) You Have a High Bounce Rate
If your analytics indicate a high bounce rate, short time on site, and/or low average pages per visitor, you may conclude that visitors don’t find your content useful. Reducing your bounce rate will increase leads and inquiries, so you’ll want to target improvements in these key areas.
5) Your Site Looks Outdated
With design trends changing so quickly, websites should really be refreshed every two to three years. A ResearchGate study indicated that over 94% value websites with good design and view them as trustworthy. Trendy designs may contribute to making a site look dated faster, so be careful during the design process.
6) Your Website is Not Up to Speed
A KISSmetrics report indicated that roughly half of the Internet users expect site pages to load less than two seconds. In addition, over 40% will leave if it takes more than three seconds for the page to load! Slow sites annoy customers and may hurt search engine ranking.
7) You Can’t Update Your Brand Story with Your Current Site
Your business is constantly changing, which means your website needs to change with it or you’ll lose opportunities. This includes evolving your branding with the changing needs of your customers. If your site doesn’t look or read like something that your target audience would find of value, it’s definitely time for a refresh.
8) You Can’t Make Content Updates
Websites used to be hard to build. Not so today with the robust tools offered by content management systems (CMS). If you can’t do what you need to keep your content relevant (i.e., adding pages, posting, and editing copy) without needing a web developer it’s time to consider a new CMS (or a new web designer!).
The Bottom Line
Having a strong online presence is key to success. Why? Your website is often the first thing potential customers see. Don’t let more time pass. If you have a problem with three or more of these areas, it is time to update your web presence.