Now, there are approximately 1.17 billion websites in existence. There are 252,000 new websites made daily, or 10,500 new websites every hour. As a website owner, what does this translate to? — there’s a lot of competition out there for web traffic.
“An updated website is crucial to ensure that your site is visible in search engine results pages (SERPs), which can help increase web traffic and, as a result, help your business grow,” says website owner and business loan provider Megan Carter of Ask Funding.
Waste no time and look into these twelve signs that it’s time for a website update:
1. Your Website Looks Outdated
In today’s world, first impressions are everything. If your website looks like it was made in the 1990s, chances are users aren’t going to stick around long enough to see what you have to offer. A dated design can make your company appear unprofessional and leave potential customers looking elsewhere.
2. Your Website Is More Than Three Years Old
If your website was created more than three years ago, it’s definitely time for an update. Web design and technology change rapidly, so a website you made just a few years ago will likely look outdated. An outdated website can give visitors the impression that your business is out-of-touch, which is the last thing you want.
3. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
More and more people are using their smartphones and other mobile devices to access the internet. Fact check: mobile internet usage has now surpassed desktop usage. This means that it’s more important than ever for websites to be designed with mobile users in mind. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you could miss out on a lot of potential traffic.
4. Your Bounce Rate Is High
A website’s bounce rate is the percentage of visitors who view one page and leave. A high bounce rate can be an indication that your website isn’t user-friendly or that it isn’t relevant to what users are looking for. If you have a high bounce rate, it’s worth investigating what might be causing it and making upgrades to your website.
5. You’re Not Getting Any Traffic From Organic Search
Organic traffic comes to your website from search engines, such as Google, without you having to pay for it. If you’re not getting any organic traffic, it could signify that your website needs to be updated. This is because, over time, search engines change how they rank websites, so if your website isn’t kept up to date, it could become less visible in search results.
6. Your Web Design Is Lousy
The design of a website is one of the most critical factors in determining a company’s trustworthiness, according to 48% of respondents. It only takes 50 milliseconds for someone to form an opinion about your website and whether they’ll stay or leave (0.05). So, if your website’s design is old, dated, or just plain ugly, it could negatively impact your business.
7. Your Website Uses Flash
Flash was once a popular technology for creating animated website content. However, it’s now outdated and no longer supported by most web browsers. This means that if your website uses Flash, it’s likely that it won’t be viewable by many users.
8. Your Website Is Cluttered
A cluttered website can be off-putting for visitors and make it difficult for them to find the information they want. If your website is full of advertising, popup windows, and other distractions, it’s time for a redesign.
9. Your Website Is Hard To Navigate
If your website is challenging to navigate, users will have a hard time finding the information they’re looking for. Users are impatient, they get frustrated and then give up, going to another site. An updated website will be easy to navigate and allow users to find what they’re looking for with minimal effort.
10. You’re Losing Customers
If you start losing customers, it could be a sign that your website needs an update. Maybe your checkout process is too complicated, or users are frustrated with how long it takes for your site to load. Whatever the reason, if you’re losing customers, it’s time to take a closer look at your website and see what needs to be changed.
11. Your Competitors Have Upgraded
If your competitors have updated their websites and you haven’t, it’s time to play catch-up. Stay ahead of the competition by ensuring your website is always up-to-date and offers users the latest information and features.
12. You Haven’t Updated In A While
Even if your website is still functioning correctly, it’s probably time for an update if it’s been a while since you’ve made any changes or upgrades. Technology changes quickly, and if you’re not keeping up, your website will start to look dated very quickly. Plus, new features and functionality can help make your site more user-friendly and improve your online presence.
Need To Upgrade Your Website? We Can Help!
If you see any of these signs, it’s time to consider an update for your website. A new design can help attract new customers and keep existing ones coming back. There’s a lot of competition, so you don’t want to get behind.
If you’re unsure whether your website needs to be updated, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. Alternatively, you could ask a web design agency for their opinion.
Web Design Just For You can help assess your website and give you an honest opinion of what changes need to be made—if any. We understand that your website is a crucial part of your business, and we will work with you to make sure it meets your needs.
So, if you think it might be time for an update, contact us today for a free consultation!
