Owning a website as a business owner or company is largely essential in contributing to the perceived authenticity and overall success of your brand. To drive sales and keep your digital presence relevant, constant website maintenance is imperative. As your business grows and your services evolve, you’ll also want your website to reflect these changes and communicate your increasing prominence in your niche.
Going by research results, a website redesign (link to services page) should be considered at least once in 3 years. Depending on your business, this time limit might vary. This means if you haven’t done a website redesign in that timeframe, it’s time to consider it, specifically because it also fundamentally impacts your website’s success. Besides the time limit, keep reading to find out other important signs that tell you it is time for a website redesign.
What Is A Website Redesign?
A website redesign involves a complete or comprehensive renewal of your website’s elements. On the other hand, a website revamp makes little changes to the design or functionalities of an existing website to improve it. You only change a few things when carrying out a website revamp while with a website redesign, you’re likely to start from scratch or make major changes to the website.
What Are The Signs You Need A Website Redesign?
Besides the standard time expectations of a redesign done at least once in 3 years, there are other more telltale signs you can consider to run a website redesign.
Check Your Mobile Optimization
Optimizing your website for mobile view and access is extra crucial for the success of your business website. Given that the mobile phone is the primary tool for surfing the internet and accessing different websites, you want to make sure you have mobile optimisation covered.
Work on your design and ensure that it is fitted for mobile screens to access. Improve responsiveness on your website by checking the following:
- What the website menu looks like. Hamburger menus are usually suggested for the menu and navigation view on mobile devices.
- Layout of website content. Ensure your article is clear and easy to read.
- Image size and clarity.
- Access to contact forms if any.
Having all this figured out increases the chance of getting a new purchase by 67%.
Review High bounce rates
Bounce rates are a good indicator of underlying website issues. From poor user interface to “useless” content, users are likely to leave your page as soon as there are clear signs of unappealing elements on it. Something about the website just can’t keep the visitor’s attention. Analyzing your website metrics usually gives good insight to the possible causes of high bounce rates as it might differ from one website to the other.
Rectify this by designing a sleek and of course, responsive website to attract and keep the interests of new visitors. Keep your website copy concise yet informative using an attractive layout and user interface. This is sure to keep your visitors scrolling and coming back.
Low Conversion rate
You conversion rates and sales tell a vivid picture when it is time for a website redesign. Certain times, your website interface might be stunning with fabulous loading time, but your leads aren’t converting.
A conversion usually takes the form of visitors signing up for forms, newsletters or sharing your website. A low rate in conversion connotes that your users aren’t engaged with your content and are not taking the expected actions.
Integrating your website with Google Search Console and Google Analytics will help spot this faster and better inform your website redesign decision. Ensure that your website isn’t overrun with irrelevant information and important information is also easy to find on the website. Contact forms should have clear, short and succinct questions with no bugs when using it.
If your website lacks these, it’s time for a redesign.
UX Issues
How hard is it to navigate around your website? Does it appeal to different user journeys? How useful is the content? With over 1.5 billion websites on the internet, you want to ensure that these questions are answered to avoid any user experience (UX) issues.
Create content hierarchies and sitemaps to improve user navigation on your website. Use updated on-page optimisation techniques and header tags to show content hierarchy. Improve your page loading times as well.
Poor SEO choices
A drop in organic traffic or position on Search Engine Result Pages usually means poor SEO strategies are in place. Your SEO strategies also dictate the quality of user experience users get, which means, poor SEO begets poor UX and this tells you a website redesign should be in the works.
Some SEO changes to consider making is in your content and keyword usage. Target a keyword per page and use it in all your headings or header tags. Conduct technical audits from time to time so as to catch potential issues quickly and mitigate against their effects. Improve your website’s loading speed. Always remember that your content and keyword usage should be directed towards your audience and not an algorithm.
Change of services
When you’re running a business rebrand, the change has to reflect on your website as a redesign. A rebrand usually signifies growth, evolved business goals or a different aesthetic to communicate your brand image.
Therefore, a website redesign based on a change of services informs for customers on the change of trajectory as well as can help you focus on attracting new buyers and traffic for your products and services. Create a design and structure that wholly represents your new brand.
Outdated design and age of website
Majority of customers depend on the look and feel of a website, to judge a website. This minute but largely important detail signifies how important it is to have a website that is visually stunning. 46% of website users that purchase a product online mention that the website’s aesthetics is the primary reason they make the purchase.
Reasons such has age of website, time since last redesign should influence when you change your website’s design. Old and outdated design reduces conversion rates and increases bounce rates. Find a professional web design agency and renew your website image. Maintain your website’s look by incorporating little design changes from time to time.
It is important to stay abreast of indicators that point you towards running website design. Employ the services of an efficient website agency such as Techtobi for complete guidance throughout your redesign process. Knowing the right elements to change will help push your website to create more revenue. On an ending note, redesign your your website at least once every 3 years.