6 Signs Your Website is Outdated and 7 Features It Needs in 2020

Is your website causing you to lose business? If it’s stuck in the last decade, then it probably is! A survey by Blue Fountain Media found that 81% of internet users think less of a business if the website isn’t updated. Let that sink in for a minute. 39% said they would think twice about using a product or service if the website isn’t fresh, user-friendly, and current.

Here are 6 signs that it’s time to update your website:

1. Your site isn't mobile responsive.

   Did you know that 52% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices? Google’s rankings are now based on the mobile version instead of the desktop version of websites. If your website is not mobile-friendly or responsive, you are losing business.

2. Your website is more than 5 years old.

   In the last few years, there have been a lot of advances in technology, best practices, and how Google ranks sites. Your site probably needs updating if it’s more than five years old. ​​​

3. Your website uses Flash.

   Flash websites fizzled out in the mid-2000s when users became annoyed at constantly needing to update their version of Flash to access a website. Google even blocked flashed content completely in 2016. So, if your website still uses flash, chances are your business isn’t being found by the 67% of people who use Google Chrome. 

4. Your website looks outdated.

   Let’s face it…looks do matter sometimes. And while it’s essential for your website to function smoothly, it must also look modern and fresh. Since your website is the online face of your company, you should be proud to have it represent you.  

5. Your site doesn't deliver the traffic you need.

   If you’ve seen a significant drop-off in traffic and leads, your visitors must not be finding what they’re looking for. Update your site and bring your visitors back.

6. Your site isn't helpful to your users.

   If your site is difficult to navigate, or it doesn’t provide valuable and engaging content, your users will leave. Excellent user experience is the top priority of successful websites.

Now that you realize it’s time to update your website, let’s look at the features you MUST have in 2020 to make your website SEO and user-friendly. 
Here are a few basic functions and content areas you need to include to make your website an effective marketing tool:

1. Contact Information EVERYWHERE

   Even though this seems simple, a lot of companies miss this. At the top of each page, include the phone number you want visitors to call for sales inquiries. Also, include a clickable “contact us” CTA that links to your contact form or email. Make sure your contact and inquiry forms are easy-to-use so visitors can get in touch with you.

2. Blog

   Consistent blogging is one of the most effective ways to build brand awareness and provide useful and relevant information to your target audience. It’s an inexpensive way to drive traffic to your site, improve inbound marketing, and attract potential customers. For maximum SEO benefit, list your blog under your domain (example: www.yourcompany/blog).

3. SEO Strategy

   SEO strategy is the way a website’s content is organized. It helps search engines like Google understand a user’s intent when they’re searching. When you optimize a web page around topics first, then keywords within that topic, you’re able to boost your authority and ranking with search engines. By doing this, you will increase traffic to your website and generate leads.

4. Live Chat

   To help people quickly find the information they’re looking for, install a live chat option on your website. Thanks to artificial intelligence, this function is possible for companies of all sizes. 

   A recent study shows just how beneficial live chat is and why businesses should add it to their websites.

   • 63% reported they’re more likely to return to a website that provides live chat.
   • 44% said having questions answered by a live person when they’re in the middle of an online purchase is one of the most helpful features a website can offer.
   • 38% reported they made their purchase because of the chat session.
   • 62% said they were more likely to purchase from that site again.​​

5. Customer Testimonials

   One of the most visited pages on the websites we create for our clients is the testimonials page. Potential customers want to know they can trust you before they choose to work with you. So, use your website to build credibility by sharing testimonials of satisfied customers and clients. Ask for permission to use your clients’ real names because real endorsements mean more than anonymous testimonials. 

6. About Us Section

   ​​​​​​People care about who they do business with, so share your story and explain how you got where you are. An “About Us” section on your website is a great place to talk about your mission and tell your company’s history. 

   Customers appreciate being able to put a face to the name, so include headshots of your current team. Pictures of other important company events are also a great way for people to get to know you.

7. Social Media

   Include icons or a list of the social media platforms you use. Link directly to those pages so your website visitors can easily find you on social media. Keep users from leaving your website completely by having the links open the social media channels in a new window or tab. 

Bottom Line

An outdated or poorly designed website is almost as bad as not having a website at all. Remember your website represents your company, and first impressions are extremely important to potential customers. 
Building a website doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. At Evolve Impact Group, our professional website packages cost less per day than a $5 cup of coffee! Click the logos on this page to see examples of our website development work or contact us today and let us help you create a website you will be proud of for many years.