8 Signs You Need a Website Redesign

In 1997, the film Titanic blew the world away with its touching love story and incredible special effects. If you were lucky enough to see it in the theater, you surely felt like you were sinking along with Kate and Leo. Put simply, it was a gripping and phenomenal visual experience using state-of-the-art techniques.

Or so we thought. By today’s standards, the film is laughable. No one watching today—other than for nostalgic purposes—can take the movie’s climax seriously. What once seemed like a real-life disaster experience now looks like a toy boat submerged in a bathtub.

The moral of the story: When it comes to technology, nothing lasts forever.

Let’s apply this principle to your website. In today’s world, a cutting-edge website is essential to the success of your business. If your visitors land on your page and find an outdated appearance or function, they’ll bounce quicker than the Titanic sank.

When was the last time you redesigned (or at least updated) your website? If the answer is more than a couple years ago, chances are you are due for a new website.

There is no hard and fast rule regarding exactly how often your website needs to be redesigned. Many in the design industry suggest every 2-3 years is good, but there are certainly more appropriate methods than using a calendar to determine if it’s time for a new website. (In case you were wondering, our current website was launched in 2015, and we are currently in the process of redesigning.)

So how exactly does one determine when it’s time to redesign a website? Here are 8 signs that you’re ready to take the plunge.

1. You Think You Might Need a New Website

Possibly the easiest way to tell it’s time for a new website is if you are wondering if it’s time for a new website. Call it trusting your gut. Chances are, if you think your website might benefit from a redesign, then your customers are thinking the same thing.

2. Your Website Doesn’t Function Like It Used To

Remember how great your website was when you first launched it? Everything worked so well. Now you’re starting to notice some things just don’t work anymore. Like that flash intro you insisted had to be included on the homepage. Technology changes rapidly, so if your website isn’t working the way it used to, then you need to redesign.

3. Your Website Doesn’t Do Something You Want It To

Is there something you really want your website to do? Maybe it’s something you saw on a competitor’s site, or maybe it’s just something you think would help drive more sales. Whatever the case, if your website doesn’t perform the way you want it to, then you’re ready for a new site.

4. Your Website Looks Dated, Especially Compared to Other Sites in Your Industry

Remember a few paragraphs ago when we laughed about the outdated special effects from the once-breathtaking Titanic? If your website is in the same boat (pun very much intended), then you need to jump ship (yup, pun intended again) and get a new website. How do you tell if your website looks out of date? Just compare it to other sites. If it doesn’t have a modern look and feel, then your time has come.

5. Your Conversions and Leads Are on the Decline

Is your site still performing where it matters most? Whether your site is for lead generation or e-commerce, you need it to be in top shape. If you’ve noticed a drop in conversions or leads from previous years, then something about your current website might be driving your customers away. If they aren’t buying from you or contacting you as much as they used to, then a new website might be just the ticket.

6. Your Site Is Slowing Down

Does your site take forever to load? If so, then you might need an overhaul. Just as a car will lose its acceleration performance as it ages, your website’s health may deteriorate over time. Give your business the tune-up it needs with a fresh new design complete with code that conforms to modern standards.

7. Your Website Doesn’t Work Well on the Latest Devices

In today’s world, a website needs to provide an optimal user experience on every device. With a constant influx of new devices, you need a site that responds. If your customers are having trouble loading your website on the latest gadgets, then you need to do something about it. Get in front of all your customers with a brand new look that works everywhere.

8. Your Inbox Is Flooded with Redesign Proposals

Have you noticed a sudden increase in the amount of spam you’re receiving from web developers? While spam can be annoying, it can also sometimes have a hidden message (or, in this case, a not-so-hidden message). If you are constantly getting emails telling you how much you will benefit from a new design, then you may want to consider their advice. Of course, you should probably steer clear of any company that is trying to sell you a redesign through such unsolicited requests.

Don’t let your website be the next Titanic. If the signs are suggesting it’s time for a new website, then you need to get started as soon as possible before your business sinks. Contact a qualified web design agency today to keep your business afloat.