7 Signs You Need a New Website for Your Business
The first and oldest web domain on the internet is symbolics.com, founded in 1985. And even they've updated their look and feel to keep up with modern search and user trends.
Web design might sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense for some small business owners, but it's actually quite the opposite. User habits and Google search algorithms change regularly. You're missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you're not consistently modernizing your website.
But how do you know when it's time to upgrade—or build your first site?
Here are 7 signs your business needs a new website:
1. You Still Don't Have a Website
Shockingly, a large number of small businesses in America don't have a website at all.
That might work for you if your business is an independent gas station in a high-traffic area, but it poses a significant problem for anyone else. You're missing out on so many potential leads if you don't have a website.
Thankfully, this is an easy fix. There's never been a better time to find affordable website design. Today, websites are cheap to host, affordable and quick to design, and easy to maintain—as long as you know what you're doing.
2. Your Current Website is Ugly or Outdated
The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. Well, that doesn't work too well when it comes to your online presence.
The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with your website in the way that you want them to. This might be buying a product (an e-commerce business), request a service quote (a plumber or roofer), or make an appointment (a doctor's office). However, a bad or outdated website can actually HURT your business. One study found that close to 40% of visitors will discontinue their time on a website if they think it's, well, ugly.
So, if your website looks like it's from 2013 instead of 2023, it's time to invest in a website redesign—ASAP!
3. Your Website Is NOT Mobile-Friendly
You're probably glued to your smartphone like everyone else on the planet. After all, the average person spends over 3 hours A DAY browsing socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their phone.
It's safe to assume that your customers are doing the same thing. That means you need to make sure your website works great on both desktop and smaller screens.
That's because nearly 60% of all web traffic comes from a mobile device—a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easier to create a responsive website.
4. You're Not Getting the Results You Expect From Your Site
You've nailed that all-important first impression. Your website looks great on mobile, but you're still not attracting those leads—at least, not as many as you'd hoped.
If your conversions are low, it COULD be because your website design isn't optimized to guide your customer's journey through your sales funnel. They might find you, but once they're on your site, they get lost on where to go or what to do next.
A redesign with a focus on clear calls-to-action can help you achieve your conversion goals.
5. Business Is Slow, and Sales Are Stagnating
Maybe you've had a legitimate business for a long time, and your website once served you well. People could find you, and they'd contact you via phone or the contact form on your website to inquire about your services.
Today, those people just aren't coming. So what's going on?
Your website is probably outdated, which means it isn't optimized for inbound marketing. You have to make sure your website includes places where your visitors can find educational resources to address their pain points and help them trust your expertise.
6. You Have a High Bounce Rate
Google Analytics defines a bounce rate as the percentage of people who visit a single page on your website. This essentially means the analytics program is counting the number of people who only stay on the website they first click through to—say, from the Google search results page—and then click away from your website immediately or a short time later.
A high bounce rate is considered anywhere between 56% to 70% (or above). You can read this as your website not having enough relevant content to keep visitors interested and exploring.
To fix this, you need to upgrade your website, so it offers people somewhere to go next at all stages of their experience.
7. Your Website Isn't Secure
If your website fails on security, it will get downvoted in Google searches. And this means no one will find you. Also, if visitors think your website is unsafe, they're not likely to trust you.
Modern websites need an SSL certificate at a minimum. This is a fundamental trust signal for visitors and Google. However, some small businesses may need to consider upgrading to something even more encrypted, especially if they collect personal client data.
We Build Websites That Work
If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it's telling you "yes," you probably needed to invest yesterday. If even one of the points above resonates with you, it's time to invest in an upgrade.
Maybe your customers complain they can't find what they need on your website. Maybe your clients can't find you online at all! Or maybe you're having trouble troubleshooting and updating content on your own. Either way, it might be time to revamp your web strategy.
Send us a message to get started on your new website today.
Web design might sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense for some small business owners, but it's actually quite the opposite. User habits and Google search algorithms change regularly. You're missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you're not consistently modernizing your website.
But how do you know when it's time to upgrade—or build your first site?
Here are 7 signs your business needs a new website:
1. You Still Don't Have a Website
Shockingly, a large number of small businesses in America don't have a website at all.
That might work for you if your business is an independent gas station in a high-traffic area, but it poses a significant problem for anyone else. You're missing out on so many potential leads if you don't have a website.
Thankfully, this is an easy fix. There's never been a better time to find affordable website design. Today, websites are cheap to host, affordable and quick to design, and easy to maintain—as long as you know what you're doing.
2. Your Current Website is Ugly or Outdated
The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. Well, that doesn't work too well when it comes to your online presence.
The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with your website in the way that you want them to. This might be buying a product (an e-commerce business), request a service quote (a plumber or roofer), or make an appointment (a doctor's office). However, a bad or outdated website can actually HURT your business. One study found that close to 40% of visitors will discontinue their time on a website if they think it's, well, ugly.
So, if your website looks like it's from 2013 instead of 2023, it's time to invest in a website redesign—ASAP!
3. Your Website Is NOT Mobile-Friendly
You're probably glued to your smartphone like everyone else on the planet. After all, the average person spends over 3 hours A DAY browsing socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their phone.
It's safe to assume that your customers are doing the same thing. That means you need to make sure your website works great on both desktop and smaller screens.
That's because nearly 60% of all web traffic comes from a mobile device—a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easier to create a responsive website.
4. You're Not Getting the Results You Expect From Your Site
You've nailed that all-important first impression. Your website looks great on mobile, but you're still not attracting those leads—at least, not as many as you'd hoped.
If your conversions are low, it COULD be because your website design isn't optimized to guide your customer's journey through your sales funnel. They might find you, but once they're on your site, they get lost on where to go or what to do next.
A redesign with a focus on clear calls-to-action can help you achieve your conversion goals.
5. Business Is Slow, and Sales Are Stagnating
Maybe you've had a legitimate business for a long time, and your website once served you well. People could find you, and they'd contact you via phone or the contact form on your website to inquire about your services.
Today, those people just aren't coming. So what's going on?
Your website is probably outdated, which means it isn't optimized for inbound marketing. You have to make sure your website includes places where your visitors can find educational resources to address their pain points and help them trust your expertise.
6. You Have a High Bounce Rate
Google Analytics defines a bounce rate as the percentage of people who visit a single page on your website. This essentially means the analytics program is counting the number of people who only stay on the website they first click through to—say, from the Google search results page—and then click away from your website immediately or a short time later.
A high bounce rate is considered anywhere between 56% to 70% (or above). You can read this as your website not having enough relevant content to keep visitors interested and exploring.
To fix this, you need to upgrade your website, so it offers people somewhere to go next at all stages of their experience.
7. Your Website Isn't Secure
If your website fails on security, it will get downvoted in Google searches. And this means no one will find you. Also, if visitors think your website is unsafe, they're not likely to trust you.
Modern websites need an SSL certificate at a minimum. This is a fundamental trust signal for visitors and Google. However, some small businesses may need to consider upgrading to something even more encrypted, especially if they collect personal client data.
We Build Websites That Work
If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it's telling you "yes," you probably needed to invest yesterday. If even one of the points above resonates with you, it's time to invest in an upgrade.
Maybe your customers complain they can't find what they need on your website. Maybe your clients can't find you online at all! Or maybe you're having trouble troubleshooting and updating content on your own. Either way, it might be time to revamp your web strategy.
Send us a message to get started on your new website today.