When developing a new business or revamping an existing business, it is essential to have a well-designed, functional website. But, if you’ve had a website for years, how do you know when it’s time to upgrade? Today, we will give you five signs it’s time for you to get a new website.
- You didn’t make a website using WordPress.
In 2021, there is no doubt which website platform is best. WordPress is the simplest platform to use, and its tools can help your business’s website succeed. More people use WordPress than any other platform because it offers accessibility and SEO-friendliness. WordPress is formatted to work on mobile and desktop technology, so more people can view and access your website. The platform offers over 90 free templates to improve the design of your website and thousands of themes provided with a paid plan. Offering multiple price points, WordPress allows you to create your website for free or up to $45 per month.
While it may be convincing to choose another website builder, we highly recommend you use WordPress. Other platforms like Wix only offer 500 themes with their paid plan; WordPress offers over 11,000. Of course, there is a learning curve, but you will find that it is worth using WordPress in the long run. If you did not make your website through WordPress, we highly recommend making the switch and watching your business improve. If WordPress is good enough for Beyonce and Harvard, it should be good enough for you!
- Your website looks old and outdated.
First impressions are important. When a new visitor goes on your website, they should see a clean, cohesive website. If your website is old, outdated, and confusing, you could lose a new customer. Having an outdated website could be worse for your business than not having a website at all. A good rule of thumb is that your website should not look more than three years old, and you should update it at least every three years at the minimum. While we recommend you update your website more frequently, every three years is a good baseline. Many outdated websites are hard to navigate because technology changes frequently. So, if it’s been a while since you updated your website, we recommend you get a new one.
Additionally, if your brand has changed since you last updated your website, it is time for you to get a new website. Your branding and website should go hand in hand and reflect each other. You need to add updated information to your website to keep it consistent with your branding.
- Your website is hard to navigate
When a new visitor goes to your website, they should not be confused. Therefore, the layout of your website should be simple and easy to navigate for new and returning visitors. Research shows that if your website is hard to navigate for a new visitor, the person will not return to your website. Easier navigation also improves your search engine optimization rankings. Google likes websites that are easy to navigate and load quickly.
Your website should be optimized for both mobile and desktop devices and should be equally easy to navigate on both. Most people visit websites on mobile devices, so you must ensure that your website is mobile-friendly. If it’s not mobile-friendly, it is time for you to get a new website. WordPress makes it easy to have a mobile-friendly website, as all of their templates are designed for mobile and desktop use.
- Your website is slow and hard to load.
First impressions are extremely important for your website. New visitors will likely not return to your website if it has a slow load speed. In the digital age, where everything is at the press of a button, no one wants to wait more than a few seconds for a website to load. Google uses loading speed to rank websites, so the slower your website is, the lower it will be ranked on search engines, leading to fewer search results showing your website, which will lead to fewer visitors in the long run. If you have a hard time loading your website, it’s time to get a new one.
An older website often has slower load speeds. We recommend designing your website on WordPress to alleviate the stress of slow loading speeds. WordPress is designed for functionality in your business and offers SEO-friendliness.
- You do not see responses from customers on your website.
If you are not receiving feedback from customers on your website, it might be time to get a new website. People should be able to comment and leave reviews on your website. Therefore, your website should include a place where customers can leave their feedback. Part of why you are not receiving feedback could include your website not being search engine friendly. You can find tips to improve your SEO here.
Additionally, you should be tracking the conversion rate of your website. You want to note who is visiting your website and becoming a customer and who is visiting your website and not reviewing your services. People should be checking out your website and using your services. The purpose of your website is to increase your sales and profits, not decrease your sales and profits.
If you had to ask yourself if you need a new website, that is probably a sign that you need a new website. Use our tips to optimize your website to invite more visitors and success to your company.
Talk to Us