06 Apr 10 Signs It’s Time To Refresh Your Website!
The Best Time to Refresh Your Website
As business owners ourselves, we understand that many aspects of daily life take priority over your website. Unfortunately, once your website is launched, many business owners fail to consider the need for updates. In today’s digital world, an outdated website can be detrimental to the future of your business.
So, what are some of the signs that it’s time to refresh your website? There are many reasons to update your website regularly. A few of the warning signs that your website is outdated include old or low-quality photography, incorrect contact information, outdated service menus or pricing guides, and confusing or slow navigation.
These are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider upgrading your website! In this post, we will take a closer look at the top 10 signs it’s time to refresh your website. We hope this will help you assess the quality and state of your website, leading to online marketing efforts that are both effective and efficient.
1. Outdated Photography
The old axiom is true – a picture does speak a thousand words! While the text on your website is certainly
important for providing information, visitors are often drawn to the photos that are included on each page.
Whether it be background images, photos of your location or team photographs, every picture on your website must be both high-quality and up-to-date! Oftentimes, potential customers will form an opinion of your services or products based solely on your website alone. With professional, high-quality images, you can set the scene for a great first impression!
In addition to providing a great first impression, high-quality images that are optimized using proper SEO techniques will also improve your rankings tremendously. You can learn more about the impact SEO can have on your business here.
2. Incorrect Contact Information
The most basic purpose of a business’s website is to provide information for interested customers. You must offer clear, accurate information on how potential customers can contact you! Often located at the footer of your website or on your contact page, it is easy to forget to change this pertinent information.
Incorrect contact information on your website will not only provide a poor first impression but will also inhibit your ability to grow your business through online marketing! While we are on the topic of contact information, it is also important to regularly update and verify your Google My Business profile, especially when your contact information changes.
3. Buttons or Links No Longer Work
There are not many things more frustrating than visiting a website that simply does not function as it should. If you are not regularly checking your website, you may not notice that important buttons or links no longer work! This inhibits a visitor’s ability to interact with your website and find the information for which they are searching.
4. Service Menu is Outdated
Regardless of the type of business you operate, it is important to ensure that your service menu or product guide is updated regularly! Whether you have added or subtracted services from your menu, you must provide accurate information for potential customers. This will eliminate confusion and frustration, providing a clear picture of how you aim to serve your customers!
5. Pricing Guide is Inaccurate
We all raise our prices from time to time. While not every business model requires an online pricing guide, many businesses find it is helpful to list this information on their website. If you choose to list a pricing guide on your website, you must be careful to update it with any changes you make.
Listing outdated pricing is not only false advertising but it will also confuse potential customers, discouraging them from using your services. If your business model does not lend itself to an online pricing guide, you must provide a clear path for interested individuals to receive pricing information through effective calls to action or opt-ins.
6. Website is Not Mobile Friendly
Now more than ever before, people are using their mobile devices to search the web. Your website must be mobile-friendly! This does not simply mean that you can access your website from a mobile device. It goes far beyond this basic accessibility to ensure that your website’s features perform well, regardless of the screen size and dimensions.
In terms of SEO, or search engine optimization, a mobile-friendly website will perform well in the algorithm of search engines. This will encourage traffic to your website, resulting in business growth!
7. Navigation is Confusing or Slow
When a potential customer visits your website, it is your responsibility to provide an experience that sets your business apart. One of the most important aspects of providing this high-quality experience is to create a website that is easy to navigate and use.
Several aspects play into this aspect of your website including optimization techniques, website design, and even the wording of your content. It is important to provide a clear path throughout your website, providing potential customers with the information they are searching for at the tips of their fingers.
8. You Avoid Sending Customers to Your Website
We all have aspects of our online lives that cause us embarrassment. Hopefully, that source of embarrassment is the email address you created in high school. However, unfortunately, many business owners experience similar embarrassment over their website! This should not be the case!
Your business’s website should be your online hub, a place where both current and potential customers can learn more about your organization. If you avoid sending customers to your website for fear of embarrassment, it is most definitely time for an upgrade!
In fact, this should be the case for the online presence of your business, regardless of the platform! It is important to consider the online reputation that you are creating as you operate in the online environment. Find more tips for effective small business reputation management here.
9. Competitors Websites Are More Impressive
Have you visited the websites of your top competitors? This is important market research that every business owner should conduct regularly. What information do they provide that your website lacks? How do they share about their services or products?
Remember that a majority of potential customers will research at least one other competitor before they settle on your services! If your competitor’s website is more impressive than yours, it may be the difference between a sale or a lost customer.
One important aspect to ensure that your website stands out among competitors is to invest in a search engine optimization strategy. By securing the top spots in search engines, you will increase your visibility. In turn, this will provide you with greater opportunities for impressions and online business growth.
10. It’s Been More Than 2 Years Since Your Last Refresh
When was the last time your website was updated? For many of us, that answer may be nearly impossible to remember! Many business owners create their website at the beginning of their organization, listing only the basic information to begin to generate business. However, this quickly becomes outdated and may provide a poor first impression to potential customers.
If it has been more than two years since the last time you refreshed or updated your website, it is most definitely time to do so! Oftentimes, small updates or changes in your business add up without your knowledge, leading to a website that requires a refresh.
Steps for Refreshing Your Website
While a complete website refresh may seem intimidating, it doesn’t have to be! Begin with your home page, jotting down the aspects of your website that you believe are out of date. Next, work your way through each of the main pages, adding to your list as you go!
Throughout this process, you must view your website through the eyes of a potential customer that knows nothing about the services or products you offer. In fact, many times it is beneficial to ask someone outside of your company to review your website for this reason!
Once you have made a list of the aspects of your website that could use a refresh, begin updating your website one page at a time. For many business owners, it is wise to outsource this often time-consuming process to a team member or professional web design company.
Start Your Website Refresh Today!
Many business owners understand the importance of refreshing their website regularly but lack the time to make it happen. This is where we come in! Our team is passionate about creating an online presence of which you are proud. If you have an existing website, we will work with you to assess the areas of your website that could benefit from improvements.
Or, if you are looking for a fresh start, our website design team will help you create a customized website that accurately reflects your business. We strongly believe that an exciting, engaging, informative website can have an astounding impact on the growth of your business!
We design great websites that provide the results you desire. Contact us today to schedule your free strategy session and get started on your website refresh today!