7 Key Indicators It’s Time to Redesign Your Business Website
The first and oldest web domain on the internet is symbolics.com, founded in 1985. And even they updated their look and feel to keep up with modern search and user trends.
For some small business owners, investing in web design might seem like an unnecessary expense. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. User behaviors and Google search algorithms are constantly evolving. You’re missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you’re not consistently modernizing your website.
But how can you tell when it’s time to upgrade or create your first website? Below, we outline seven key signs or reasons why a small business might need a new site.
1. You Still Don’t Have a Website
Shockingly, a large number of small businesses in America don’t have a website at all.
If you’re an independent gas station in a busy area, that might work. But for most, not having a website means missing out on countless potential leads.
Thankfully, this is a problem that you can resolve quickly. Now is the perfect time to get affordable website design. These days, websites are budget-friendly to host, quick and cost-effective to design, and simple to maintain—as long as you partner with the right provider. One of them is a web design company https://neon-tm.com/web-design-calgary/ Neon Team.
2. Your Current Website is Ugly or Outdated
The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. Well, that doesn’t work so well when it comes to your online presence.
The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with your website. This might be to buy a product (an e-commerce business), request a service quotation (a plumber or roofer), or make an appointment (a doctor’s office). However, one study found that close to 40% of visitors will discontinue their time on a website if they think it’s, well, ugly.
If your website feels more 2013 than 2024, it’s time to invest in a redesign—right away!
3. Your Website Is Not Mobile Friendly
You’re probably glued to your smartphone. You’re probably glued to your phone. After all, the average user spends over 3 hours a day scrolling through socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their device.
It’s a safe bet your customers are doing the same thing. So, make sure your company website looks and works great on a desktop and adapts to smaller screens. After all, nearly 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices—smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easy to adapt to this new reality.
4. You’re Not Getting the Results You Expect from Your Site
You’ve mastered that crucial first impression. Your site looks fantastic on mobile, but you’re still not generating the leads you expected—or at least not as many as you’d like.
If your conversions are falling short, it could be that your website design isn’t properly guiding visitors through your sales funnel. They may find you, but once they land on your site, they’re unsure where to go or what to do next.
A redesign with an emphasis on clear calls-to-action and marketing copy can help you reach your conversion targets.
5. Business Is Slow, and Sales Are Stagnating
You’ve had a legitimate business for a long time, and once, your website served you well. People could find you, and they’d contact you via phone or the contact form on your website to enquire about your services.
Today, those people just aren’t coming. So, what’s going on?
Your aging website is probably not optimized for inbound marketing. You need to make sure it includes places where you can provide your visitors with educational and helpful information that addresses their pain points and helps them trust your expertise.
6. You Have a High Bounce Rate
Google Analytics measures bounce rate as the percentage of visitors who land on a single page of your website. In other words, it tracks how many people click through—like from a Google search result—only to leave your site immediately or shortly after.
A high bounce rate is considered anywhere between 56% to 70% (or above). You can read this as your website not having enough relevant content to keep visitors interested and exploring.
To fix this, you need to upgrade your website to guide visitors smoothly at every stage of their experience, giving them a clear next step.
7. Your Website Isn’t Secure
If your website lacks security, it will be ranked lower in Google searches, making it harder for people to find you. Additionally, if visitors see your site as unsafe, they’re less likely to trust you.
Modern websites need an SSL certificate at a minimum. This is a crucial trust signal for both visitors and Google. However, some small businesses might need to think about upgrading to a more secure option, particularly if they handle sensitive client information.
If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it’s telling you “yes,” you probably needed to invest yesterday. If even one of the points above resonates with you, it’s time to invest in an upgrade.