Outdated Website

It’s hard to believe that there was ever a time in life when not every business had a website. These days, it’s unlikely that anyone will take you seriously if you have a business without a website – with few exceptions. The thing about websites is that you have to keep them updated. This can be a challenge since technology changes so frequently, and you have to stay up to date with current trends. In fact, failure to make the necessary changes to your website can cost you money in the form of decreased sales revenue. It’s always important to remember that your website is an online storefront, and image matters. It’s an issue that small businesses deal with often.

When you first launch your website, it can be very exciting to find or create a professional website design that you like, with a layout that makes sense for your business. As the years progress, designs must change because it’s important for your website to align with current trends, such as the recent focus on more interactive and responsive designs. Although you might not be able to personally tell that your website doesn’t quite cut it, there are often signs. If you chose to click here on this article, then there’s a good chance you suspect that your website isn’t quite competitive. Let’s review five simple ways to know if your website is outdated.

Your Website Looks Like It Was Created Years Ago

Even if your website was developed more than a decade ago, it should have the appearance of being outdated. It’s important to make updates and tweaks periodically to ensure it stays fresh, based on changing standards. Often what happens is more information is added to the website on a regular basis, and it starts to get bulky and cluttered with information. The design starts to feel old because it doesn’t align with what’s new.

It’s Hard for Visitors to Navigate Your Website

When people visit your website, it should take less than a few seconds to capture their attention and foster further interest. More importantly, it shouldn’t take a long time for users to find what they seek. It’s no longer necessary to fit a wealth of information “above the fold” on your homepage. Instead, the design should be more focused on the flow of your website as opposed to making sure information is in a literal box. Even if your website’s design has a good flow, it must also provide direction to visitors. There are many design options available for users of WordPress websites. You’ll also have the benefit of being able to quickly update the information on your website if you choose this easy-to-use platform.

You Are Not Using New Technologies

Updating your website doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, there are many new technologies available that will simplify the process of creating a website that’s fresh and functional. There are even software programs that can help you manage different aspects of your website, such as social content management systems. Another example is the automation of social media posts. There are also tools that allow you to integrate your sales and marketing campaign into email with simplicity. Unfortunately, there are some website themes and designs that are so outdated, they will not accommodate newer features. If you’re a small business owner, there’s a tendency to try to do everything on your own. Just keep in mind that hiring a website designer is often worth its weight in gold.

You Don’t Feel Comfortable Directing Potential Clients to Your Website

Sometimes there are clear signs that your website needs to be redesigned. While other times you can tell by the way you personally respond to it. For instance, if you subconsciously feel angst when asked for your website address, then it’s probably because you know it’s not as professional or updated as it could and should be. Even if you have not verbally expressed an issue with your website, you probably feel it on a visceral level.

Your Website Has Dropped in Ranking During Searches

As you probably know, Google has algorithms and rules that websites must follow. Not adhering to their rules can change the results of your ranking during a search. If you notice a drop in how your website ranks, there’s a good chance that you need to add more content or do a better job at search engine optimization (SEO). More importantly, it probably means you need to redesign your website.