Top 8 Reasons It’s Time for a Redesign

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. For your customer, that first impression of your business is probably your website. 

What would someone think of your organization if they went to your website right now? 

• Does it provide a good experience?

• Does it accurately represent your company mission?

• Does it help you reach your business goals? 

If you’re having a hard time answering those questions, then maybe it’s time to consider a redesign. Usually there are more than a few root causes of a less than effective online presence, but in this article, we will touch on some of the major signs you need to redesign your website. 

1. Your Website is not mobile-friendly

It’s 2018, and despite all the warnings about mobilegeddon years ago, you missed the boat. Having a website that doesn’t work across all the devices your consumers are using can make it annoyingly difficult for them to browse your site. A responsive web design is pretty much mandatory these days because of the sheer volume of mobile users. According to HostingFacts, and Go-Globe, over 52% of global internet users access the web via mobile devices, and an expected 80% of internet usage will be on mobile this year! If your website isn’t responsive, then that alone is a good enough reason to do a redesign. 

2. Your site is built in Flash, or some other outdated technology.

If you’re still using Flash, then that’s a tell-tale sign you need to redesign. Not only does the iPhone and iPad not support Flash, but search engines like Google can’t read it, making it a nightmare for search engine optimization. You also force users to install a plugin and make sure they have the latest version to see your site, which destroys the user experience.

Or maybe your site runs on plugins that haven’t been updated in years. Opting for a redesign to update your site with the latest technology and plugins will make it more efficient, creating a better experience for your visitors. 

3. You need more control over updating your website.

Keeping your site content fresh and up to date is crucial to your online success, but many older sites lack a simple content management system to do so. A website redesign can allow you to implement an easy-to-use CMS that will allow you to frequently make updates to the site as needed. Having greater control over content updates means you can deploy marketing campaigns and new content faster because you don’t have to wait for tech support anymore.

4. The design is outdated compared to new trends or competitors.

The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” holds no truth in web design. First impressions are crucial, and plenty of research shows that you only have a few seconds to get the attention of your visitors when they land on your website.  With design trends changing so frequently, two or three year old sites can easily appear outdated. The latest design trends now call for a flat design using a clean, modern look, which caters to mobile interfaces as well as desktops.

5. Your business focus or messaging has changed.

Business goals change over time and your website should support those changes. If this is the case, then it’s likely time for a redesign. Your website is one of your most valuable business assets - and if the look and feel doesn’t align with your new vision, it’s time for an update.  

6. Your site is not optimized for search engines and rankings are low.

Search engine algorithms have changed quite a bit over the years, so if you’re noticing your rankings have taken a beating, it could mean it’s time for an update.  Many older sites were not built or structured with SEO in mind, so a redesign from the ground up allows for your website to be rebuilt with a solid foundation. This will give you the chance to define a search engine marketing strategy and other goals, as well as developing quality content.

7. You want to revamp your content strategy.

Having excellent content on your website can improve both the user experience and retention, as well as SEO. But quality content is useless if visitors can’t easily find it.  So if you’re planning on making some major changes to your content strategy, a redesign may be in order.  This way, you can ensure that your great content can easily be found. If you’re thinking that a redesign might be too big of a step right now, ask yourself these questions:

Is your content and important information easy to find?
Does it incorporate calls-to-action?
Is the content being indexed by search engines?

8. You are embarrassed by your website.

Many times when I talk to someone about the work we do here at Americaneagle.com, they’ll admit they’re embarrassed by their own website and they’ve been meaning to do something about it. The amount of companies that put their website on the backburner, when it’s one of their most important aspects of a business, astounds me. If you don’t feel confident in one of your most important salespeople – your website - then what will your potential customers think of you? A bad website can hurt your business far more than simply not having one at all, because of the perception it gives your company. If you’re too embarrassed to give out your website URL, it’s definitely time to consider that redesign. 

There are many signs that it’s time for a website redesign, beyond what we’ve shared here, but by focusing on the user experience and seeing if your current site has any of these issues, you should have a good idea if your site needs a facelift.  Remember, your website is a living part of your business, and it should change and grow as your business does.  Even after a redesign, it doesn’t stop there.  Your site’s performance should be constantly monitored, measured, and improved upon. Your website is the first impression of your business, so it’s a very important investment to take care of.

If you think your website may be in need of a redesign, let’s talk! We’re more than happy to help you figure out the next steps towards a better online presence!