You are not alone in staring at the daunting task of a new website. Hear me out. It doesn’t need to be stressful. How do you know if it’s time for a new website? If you are running a small business in any industry today, your website is your storefront. If you have a brick-and-mortar store, customers will be finding you online too!
And just like how your store needs fresh products or your building needs some TLC every few years, your website also needs a glow-up occasionally. How do you know it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Here are 5 warning signs that indicate it’s time for a new website or refresh!
Your Website Looks ancient in the Digital World: If your website reminds you of the good old days of the dial-up connection, it’s time to move on. It’s the age of scrolling and swiping, and if your website does not adapt to this, it’s going to turn off potential customers. Comparing your website to your competitors will give you a better idea of where you stand.
Pro Tip! If your competitors aren’t updated, you’ll stand out from the crowd by making your website more accessible!
Over 50% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. That means, if your mobile site is not user-friendly, your customers are going to get frustrated and leave. The first look of your website on a mobile device matters. Take a look and make sure it’s beautifully presented. Afterall, you want to show your business in the best light! If your website is not mobile-friendly at all, Google is going to bury your site and your chances of being found organically will plummet.
Pro Tip! Choosing to design on a platform like Showit, which I use for all of my clients, allows you to easily adjust for mobile & desktop.
If your website is taking more than 4 seconds to load, you have big problems. According to studies, 47% of people expect a website to load within 2 seconds, and they lose patience after 3 seconds. If your website is slow, let’s fix it! You don’t want to create a bad impression for your brand.
Pro Tip! Make certain your photos and videos are compressed to allow for speed of loading.
If your website is lost in oblivion in search engine results, you might want to revamp your website. The easiest way to check if search engines are crawling your site is to look at your traffic sources. If Google only contributes 10% or less to your website traffic, it indicates that you need to work on search engine optimization.
Pro Tip! Plan your new site with SEO & Keywords in mind! This will help you be found!
When was the last time you updated your website content? If there is a ton of information on there that is no longer accurate, that’s usually a red flag! If that’s the case, you are doing your brand a disservice. And losing credibility with potential customers. You should constantly update your website with fresh content, pictures, and videos to keep your customers’ attention.
Pro Tip! Google loves fresh content and ranks websites with active blogs high.
That facts are there. In todays society, your website is a vital part of your business. You simply can not ignore it. If you are experiencing one or more of these signs, it’s time you roll up your sleeves and get to work. Yes, the thought of a new website can seem overwhelming, but it’s not as complicated as it seems. You can do it yourself from scratch, buy a website template, or hire a professional designer.
Regardless of what you choose, remember, your website and brand need to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape. Open your website up. Take a look at your home page. Don’t miss out on sales! Before you know it you’ll have an engaging, user-friendly space that your customers will love.
Pro Tip! Add “Website Updates” to your Monthly business maintenance to-do list. Just updating a photo or two will help with consistency! At the minimum, add it to your Yearly to-do-checklist!
Want a free Website Audit by a Professional? I’d be happy to help you!
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© Mahlia Christine Creative | Showit Website Designer | Brand Designer | Nashville Brand Photographer