There’s no denying the importance of having a website, especially if you are a business searching for growth. A website is a key component of your business’ online presence – it’s a way for people to see who you are and what you do – and it’s a significant part of your digital marketing campaign. This is why it’s so important to keep your website up to date to ensure it does a good job of bringing in leads and sales, informing customers and boosting brand awareness. If your website isn’t working quite as well as it once was, it could be time for an update.
How to Know When It’s Time for a New Website
Regardless of how impressive and advanced your website is, it’s not able to tell you when it’s time for something new. But, there are a number of key signs to look out for. You don’t need to rely on guesswork and hunches, you can take the plunge and make a digital marketing investment, knowing that a new website is needed if you want to continually grow as a business. Things such as poor loading speeds, not being responsive and out-of-date content are all signs that it might be time for a refresh.
- Out-of-Date Website Design – There are a lot of websites out there, so a website with an out-of-date or unprofessional design can stand out for all of the wrong reasons. If your website looks old and dated, it’s probably time for something new. Not only is a freshly designed website more likely to grab your audience’s attention in the first place, but it also shows that you take your online presence seriously. Your website is the online sales person for your business, and first impressions really do count. Whether you’re focusing on lead generation or ecommerce sales, an out-of-date website design could send people elsewhere.
- It’s Not Responsive – An increasing number of people are accessing the digital world via smartphones and tablets, and your website needs to be responsive enough to work on these mobile devices. A responsive website is one that responds to the size of the screen that it’s being viewed on, adapting to ensure that the user always has a flawless online experience. When a website is responsive, it’s able to generate leads and market products or services, from wherever it’s being viewed.
- Poor User Experience – A lot of older websites were designed without thinking about user experience, which often leads to users struggling to successfully navigate the website. Users need to be able to find information easily, quickly and in a way that works for them. If your website is slow to load and confusing to use, it could be time for a new website.
- Poor SEO Performance – There is no denying the importance of SEO. Without it, it’s close to impossible for customers to find you. But, not all websites are cut out for search engine optimisation success. If your website isn’t ranking well in search engine results, it might be time for something new. A website that’s designed with SEO in mind can improve visibility, traffic and SEO success.
- Slow Loading Times – Users want to be able to access a website and its information quickly, and they don’t want to wait too long for pages to load. Slow loading times can lead to higher bounce rates, increasing the chances of someone taking their business elsewhere. If you were looking at a website, would you hang around waiting for a page to load, if you knew there were speedier websites elsewhere? If your website pages are slow to load, it could be time for an update.
- Ineffective CTAs – Regardless of who you are and what you do, your website will have a goal. This could be to encourage users to make a purchase, to get in touch or to sign up for a newsletter. You might want your website to generate leads, or you might want it to help with business growth. If you aren’t getting the desired results, it might be time for a new website, one with improved calls to action. It doesn’t matter how many people aimlessly browse your website, you need them to take action.
- Old Content – You might have seen the phrase “content is king” being used online, and, in the world of digital marketing, it really is. Website content needs to be fresh, up-to-date, informative, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. If your content is outdated or rarely updated, it might be time to switch to a new website with an improved content management system. This will make it easier to keep content fresh by adding new blogs, updating old information, and sharing industry insights at a moment’s notice.
- Security Issues – It’s important for a website to be secure, especially if it’s handling sensitive information, such as customer payment information and personal details. If your website is prone to hacking or other security vulnerabilities – and let’s face it, they all are to some degree – it’s probably time for a new, reliable and more secure platform. People need to be able to use your website, get in touch and make purchases, knowing that their information is safe.
- Low Conversion Rates – An effective website is one that takes a website visitor and converts them into a loyal, paying customer. If your website is not converting visitors into customers or leads, you might want to consider a new design with improved conversion optimisation capabilities. There is very little point to having a website if visitors are clicking on, browsing and clicking straight off again.
- Competitor Advancement – There are a lot of competitor businesses out there, many of which are vying for the same customers as you. If your competitors have more modern, user-friendly websites, you might find that you start to fall behind. After all, online users are more likely to pay attention to websites that impress them. With a new website, you have a better chance of attracting, engaging and retaining customers. It’s important to catch up or surpass other businesses to remain competitive.
There are a number of things that tell you it’s time for a new website. You might find that a lot of these apply to your website, or you might find that only one or two are relevant. But, the sooner you update your website, the sooner you can enjoy the benefits.
How Your Website Helps Business Growth
A website is often the first thing someone sees of your business, and it’s an important point of contact between your business and your potential customers. If you have an outdated or poorly designed website, you run the risk of turning away visitors. This could lead to missed opportunities and lost revenue, and people having a poor view of your business. Think about it, you wouldn’t think of a business as being professional, trustworthy and an industry leader if its website was behind. Updating or getting a new website can significantly boost business growth by enhancing the user experience, improving search engine rankings and establishing professionalism.
A modern, responsive website ensures that your business is accessible on all devices, providing a seamless experience for users. Whether they’re browsing on a desktop, tablet or smartphone, they can enjoy the same flawless online experience. Plus, an updated website with fresh content and the right SEO practices in place can improve your business’ on search engines. This makes it easier for people to find you, leading to increased leads, conversions, sales and overall growth. Without this, growing your business would be out of the question.
Beyond just visual appeal, a new website reflects your business’ commitment to innovation and staying relevant. It shows people that you are present, actively working to grow and it helps to differentiate you from others in the industry. Getting a new website is not just about keeping up with design and development trends, it’s a way to drive business growth and long term success.
A website alone won’t suddenly transform your business into a growing venture, but it’s a good place to start. Once that’s in place, it’s time to enlist the help of Profici. As business growth partners, we can take your business to new heights and help it to achieve maximum success.
Whether you’re trying to scale your operations and you’re falling at the first hurdle, or you think it’s time for a partnership but you’re not sure who’s a good fit, we can help. Get in touch to find out more.
No Blogs