Consider your own shopping experience for a moment. What do you like about your favourite shop? Is it the eye-catching window displays, the quality of the product, or the friendly customer service that wins you over? Well, a good quality website needs all this too and is, if anything, even more defined by user experience than a brick-and-mortar store.
Websites become outdated as technology continues to evolve, and this may start to show in dips in traffic and lower page views per visit. You may need to accept that your once-plucky little website is now struggling and in need of a refresh. That might sound overwhelming, but this blog will show you why a new website is so valuable to your business. Let’s get into it.
Do you need a new website?
The following list shows the tell-tale signs that your website is in need of a refresh.
- When your brand or goals have changed. Sometimes your website doesn’t have to be failing on a technical level. You may have adjusted your business’s mission or grown with additional services, and simply need to update the message you’re delivering to visitors.
- When Digital Accessibility is an issue: You should upgrade your website when it no longer provides a functioning experience across all devices, including smartphones, tablets, and whatever comes next. If it’s not responsive, has a slow loading rate, lacks efficient navigation or lacks accessibility features, then it’s time for a redesign.
- When performance is suffering: The best way to understand if your website needs changing is through performance data. This can tell you how well your website is converting visitors into customers, how it ranks on search engines, and how it integrates with other marketing channels. This data will be a visible insight into whether your website is working or not.
What are the benefits of a website redesign?
Boost Organic Traffic:
A website redesign typically involves reorganising content to improve readability for both users and search engines. Updated visuals, organised structure, and fresh, relevant content improve search engine visibility, driving more organic traffic. This increased exposure can result in higher-quality leads and more substantial sales opportunities.
Improve User Experience:
An up-to-date design with intuitive navigation helps visitors easily find the information or services they need. Optimised layouts, faster load times, and clear prompts create a smoother, more engaging user experience. These improvements can lower bounce rates and encourage users to stay on the site longer.
Competitive Edge:
A website from 2009 can make your business appear outdated. A fresh, modern design signals professionalism and relevance, which builds trust with potential customers, especially when competitors’ sites are left looking stuck in the past.
Better Navigation and Site Structure:
A well-structured website with intuitive navigation significantly improves user experience, improves search engine rankings, and boosts conversion rates. Achieving this increases engagement, just as you would stop by an eye-catching window display; they are both created with user experience in mind.
So, how much does a new website cost?
While we’d love to provide you with an answer for this, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
When shopping around for a new website, it is important to consider a few factors and decide if the price is right for you.
- The experience of the designer and developer
- The functionality of the website
- Any aftercare and maintenance packages you can purchase to keep your site running smoothly
Remember, you get what you pay for when it comes to a new website. If you cut corners, expect a poor user experience and, potentially, a broken site down the road.
Just like a great in-store experience, your website should be welcoming, easy to navigate, and reflect the current state of your business. As technology and user expectations evolve, it needs to keep up to remain effective. Whether it’s due to outdated design, shifting goals, or poor performance, a website redesign isn’t just a refresh; it’s a strategic move to boost traffic, improve user engagement, and stay ahead of the competition. That’s the true value of a new website.
In need of a new website? Give us a call and let’s get the ball rolling.