Outdated design, limited structure, off-brand feel — if any of these statements pop into your mind when looking at your current site, they could be signs you need a new website. In a world where a website communicates everything about your brand to prospective customers, it’s crucial that your website is well-designed, functional, and competitive. Investing in a brand new website can feel daunting, but avoiding the issue usually makes things worse — especially if your dated website is underscored by broader organizational challenges. That said, the challenge is almost always worth it, and the choice to build a high-quality, easy-to-use, stylish website can drastically enhance your image and increase your business’s ability to generate revenue.
How do you know when it’s time to redesign a website?
Before you jump into the deep end and decide to scrap it all, we want you to take a good look at your business’s current website.
Ask yourself these four questions:
- What elements do you like about your current website?
- What don’t you like about your website?
- Does it reflect your current brand values?
- Is it a good representation of your brand and business?
Assessing what you like and don’t like about the website can help you determine if you need a whole new site, or just some slight tweaks to better optimize it. If you don’t like what you see, you might want to read on for five signs you need a new website.
1. Your website’s design and build are outdated
You know what they say, you can’t teach an old website new tricks. Maintaining an old website is not only costly, but its very existence can limit your company’s growth opportunities. Updating your website regularly can help it to stay relevant on search engines and drive more quality leads.
An outdated design can also impact your user experience. According to a study done by psychologist and researcher Dr. Elizabeth Sillence, 94% of respondents said they didn’t trust a website due to the website’s design.
Keep reading: See how we helped Greater Houston Community Foundation rethink their web experience to align with shifting priorities.
2. Your website is not designed for conversion
Whether you’re selling products or services online, conversion optimization should be a high priority for your website. When users visit your website, they should know exactly what value your brand brings, what problems your product or services solve, and how to take action. Imagine if you were searching online for medical services, found a clinic’s website, but couldn’t find the “schedule an appointment” button. The call-to-action needs to be clear and visible to create those conversions.
Conversions are the measurement of how your website is drawing value. Selling products online? You want users to click “add to cart.” Collecting emails for a newsletter? Make that sign-up process simple and visible. Confused users will often find other places to take their business or their time. Clarity, visibility, and relevancy will help your conversion optimization rates long-term.
Keep reading: See how we helped Texas Mattress Makers increase online checkouts by 375%.
3. Your website does not reflect your current brand
Brands evolve over time. As your company grows and evolves, your brand values do too. So, what happens when your website does not reflect those brand evolutions?
Your website is a reflection of your brand identity. You’ve most likely come a long way, and your website should reflect that. Your website often shapes someone’s first — and potentially last — impression of your company. Ensuring a consistent and coherent brand presence across the digital landscape is crucial for maintaining the right perceptions of your brand. Because users are looking for brands that they can relate to, and if your website is appealing to the right people, it could result in new clients or customers.
4. Your website doesn’t align with your particular industry
Have you ever visited a company’s website and thought to yourself, “What does this company do, exactly?” Your website should be a reflection of your business services as well as your brand. For example, a bakery’s website will likely sport a pastel color palette and will feature photos of their delicious baked goods for sale to let visitors know what to expect from their business. Now imagine if a bakery’s website was gray and white text with no dessert photos — pretty confusing, right?
Crucial information about your company’s services and identity paired with an appropriate and brand-appropriate design will set your business up for online success.
5. Your website is not competitive
Online innovation is like a neverending arms race. And while not every website needs to be the peak of innovation, yours should at least be optimized to remain competitive and equipped to address your audience’s needs.
Research has shown that 81% of customers conduct research online before making a major purchase. If you do not utilize best SEO practices to keep your website competitive, users will have a harder time finding your site — and if potential customers can’t find your site, they’ll likely do business with your competition instead. The same can be said for your website’s design and functionality. No one wants to stay on a crappy website. Here are some reasons a user could click off of your website:
- Slow loading times
- Hard to read content
- Navigation that lacks structure
- Site or features that aren’t mobile-friendly
- Lackluster design
What should I look for in a new website?
So, if those are all of the signs of a bad website, what are the signs of a good website? Objectively, every good website should check the following boxes:
- The navigation is simple
- The information is clear
- The design is effective
- The site is mobile-friendly
- The webpages are optimized for search and conversion
- The site reflects your current brand values
You want your website to be a solid representation of you and your business. In the digital age we live in, your online presence should be treated as a priority, and that could mean investing in a website redesign. If you’re ready to take the next step and begin the process of building a new website for your business, Baal & Spots is just the digital marketing firm you’ll want to speak to.
Seeing the signs you need a new website? Baal & Spots has the expertise you need to build you something better.
At Baal & Spots, we’re all about doing things better. Our co-founders, Maher El Aridi and Ryan Mathis, have created a team of web design and content strategists that are dedicated to building up brands just like yours — and a shiny new website is a great place to start. Whether you want help tweaking what already exists or starting completely from scratch, we have the necessary tools and expertise to create a better online presence for you and your business.
Do I need a custom website? If you’re looking for a website design that is completely your own, we can help you to build a custom site that looks and works exactly the way you want it to. You sit back while we get to work. It’s that simple. If you’re interested in taking the next step in growing your business, let’s connect.