If you’re reading this article, you’re probably thinking about your current website. Maybe you’re wondering whether it’s outdated or if it still meets your needs. Maybe when you built your website (or had it built), you did it just so you could cross that task off your to-do list. Maybe it didn’t matter to you then how it functioned or what it looked like.
A website redesign isn’t always something an organization or business wants to do, but at some point – it is inevitable.
So, are you ready to find out if (and when) you should redesign your website?
A lot of business owners are okay with how their website looks. They never wonder if it’s appealing or even up to date. There are also plenty of business owners (and employees) who admit that they’re embarrassed by their company’s website.
You want to know who really cares about your website? Your customers. In fact, nearly 50% of people say that a website’s design is the number one way they determine the credibility of a business. And first impressions of a website are 94% design related. So, if your customers care that much, then you should, too.
Okay, back to our main question – how often should you redesign your website? While there are a lot of factors to consider, the general recommendation is that you should redesign your site every 2-3 years. Now, is that answer set in stone? Definitely not. But think of web design like fashion trends – after a while, some things are just out of style.
So, let’s look at some factors that determine how often you really need to redesign your website.
Did technology change completely?
We’re not going to lie…this one hurts. Once upon a time, all your website needed was some catchy music and a fancy Flash intro.
A few design styles later, we entered the mobile era – and Flash stopped working. Like, it literally didn’t work on phones. Businesses had no choice but to redesign. Some chose to make a “mobile-only” site that was (let’s be honest) hideous – but at least it worked, right?
Finally, responsive design became the norm. (Responsive essentially means that websites can expand and contract based on the size of the screen.) Thanks to
responsive design, websites look pretty much the same across all devices – from desktops to phones.
The takeaway here is that sometimes technology changes. And, sadly, when it does, there’s not much you can do about it except redesign.
Was your designer forward-thinking?
Some website designers are trailblazers – and others haven’t changed their design style in several years. Honestly, your designer’s talent level determines how long before you need a website redesign. If they’re forward-thinkers and design for next year’s trends, you may be able to go 3-5 years – as long as there isn’t a total shift in technology.
Was your designer behind the times?
Of course, now we have to talk about the flip side of that coin. Maybe you didn’t want to pay very much – or maybe you really couldn’t at that time. It happens. For whatever reason, the person you hired didn’t design a professional, up-to-date website. You might get away with it for a year or two, but chances are it’s already outdated. One of the reasons professional designers are way ahead of the trends is so their client’s websites can enjoy a nice, long life.
Did you change your brand?
Now this one is obvious. If you redesign your brand, you have to redesign your website. Your loyal customers may know you, but everyone else will discover your business for the first time through your website. And, of course, you want your business to make a great first impression.
Have your goals changed?
Have you recently decided to sell your products online? Or has the direction of your business changed? Both of these are strong reasons to redesign your website.
When to redesign your website checklist
You’ve probably realized that the answer to our original question is – I guess it really does vary, doesn’t it? So, here’s a checklist to summarize the key factors:
- Does your website look modern and up to date – or does it look out of style? (If you’re not sure, ask a Gen Z or millennial, they’ll tell you.)
- Are you embarrassed by your site? Do you cringe when it comes up and promise (again) that you’ll take care of it soon?
- Is your site fully functional?
- Have you changed your brand?
- Have your business goals changed?
- How does your website compare with your competitors?
- When was the last time you updated the content on your website? Last year? Five years ago? *Even though this article isn’t really about content, you need to consider it. If your content hasn’t been updated recently, take a closer look at the above questions.
Bottom Line
Whether you want to admit it or not, your website is the face and backbone of your business. It promotes you 24/7. So, look at it with these things in mind – and be honest about what you see. Is it time for a website redesign? We promise the return on investment will be worth it.
At Impact Group Marketing, we create responsive, search-engine friendly, and affordable websites that convert and get you noticed. Our team has over 35 years of combined experience in digital marketing, and we are passionate about website design and development. Contact us today for a free quote.
Read More: 10 Signs Your Business Needs a Website Redesign