Do you already have an existing website and unsure whether it needs an update or even a brand new build? Here we have listed some things to look at to help decide:
Competition
Having a look over your key competitors websites can give you a great idea of how others are selling your product and how different your site maybe looking. This is what customers will be looking at and if your site looks less professional or outdated then customers will take notice and see your company in a similar light. This would be a great indicator that it’s time for an update.
Decrease in leads / purchases
It’s a good idea to always keep a check on your leads on a monthly basis, if you do notice a dip in leads / sales or maybe you never had many from the start, this could be a great indicator that your site isn’t setup for good conversions. Obviously it could be that your site isn’t getting many visitors to start with so an analytics tool is best to use on your site to see exactly why. If it is the case that there’s a high bounce rate and no one’s converting, then a redesign is highly recommended.
Type of industry
The type of industry your business is in can also determine how often you should redesign. If it’s an ever evolving industry like marketing, design or technology for instance, then you may need to keep your website up to date with the times and keep it fresh every few years. Whereas industries like trades, finance or health for instance, may not necessarily need a new design approach as long as the site is setup correctly from the start.
Unable to make certain changes
If your current website is limited to what you can change or edit then you may need a complete new build. Speak with your web developer to see what’s achievable and if they can’t allow you to make changes that you need or are crucial for your business then a new web build maybe on the cards.
New Ideas
Maybe your industry has evolved, your business has evolved or you just have some fresh, new ideas that could work better for you. This could mean a simple revamp of your current site or a completely new design and build.
Maybe there are even new ideas or advancements in web design that could benefit how you sell yourself and a new website is the best way to achieve this.
Rebranding
Similar to above, if your business is rebranding then the website will undoubtedly have to be looked at too. It may just be a matter of updating the logo and colours but ideally to keep everything inline with a new brand, a new website, depending on complexity would be advised.
Outdated
Maybe your website has some old animation, certain effects or styles that were trendy 10 years ago and now look tacky. Maybe the site uses outdated code or plugins that could be vulnerable to being hacked. Or maybe the whole look and layout of your site is clear it was built 20 years ago and makes you look dated as a company.
Don’t just update your site for the reason that “it’s been 5 years and must be outdated”. Maybe not, look over these points mentioned above and analyse your site and market properly, making changes that aren’t necessary could be a waste of time or even hinder results, so think it through and make sure the next site you make can stand the test of time.
At paspective we pride ourselves on achieving just that for clients, websites that last, so that the thought of a new site doesn’t even enter your mind. Check out our case study on the redesign we did for Hub4 to see how we improve websites >
Our websites are built around your brand, your brief and your target audience, making sure you have a professional and modern online presence that converts and lasts. We don’t start any build until you’re 100% happy with the design first, giving complete reassurance you will get the dream website you want and that your business needs.
