As a business owner, you know how essential it is to have a website. Your website is one of the ways potential customers find your business. It shows them what your brand is all about and what you value as a company. It goes without saying that a website is one of the most effective marketing tools your business can have.
With that said, you need to be confident that it is worthy of your brand. If it isn’t, then you seriously should consider a new website design.
Here are 10 reasons why your small business needs one:
-
Your Website Looks Old
When was the last time you had your site revamped? Five years ago? If that is the case, then it is most likely outdated.
Remember, just like SEO and social media, your website project is not finished after you launch it. It is always a work in progress, as trends evolve. So, what people considered as a great website design five years ago will be seen as old today.
You want your company’s site to stay fresh and current. Otherwise, as soon as visitors see your outdated homepage, they’ll probably wonder if you are still in business.
-
Your Website Does Not Look Professionally Made
At a glance, people can tell whether your website was made by a professional or an amateur. Therefore, if you want them to have a good impression of your brand, then you should get an experienced designer to work on it.
It may sound tempting to go with the cheapest offer you can find, but trust us—this will end up costing you more in the long run. If you want good results, then invest in a new website design.
-
Your Website Is Hard to Navigate
If it takes visitors more than two clicks to find something on your website, then something needs to be done. Never forget about UX or user experience.
Today’s internet users expect simple menus and easy-to-navigate web pages. You do not want to lose site traffic because your visitors could not find your contact information. Everything should be hassle-free for them.
-
Your Website Is Using a Theme or Template
If you’re not as established as other companies, then you might be considering a templated design. But that is a mistake you should avoid. You see, most themes or templates out there are generic. Hundreds of other brands are using them, so how can your website stand out from the competition?Using a custom website design, however, is a different story. It lets you have a unique site that speaks to your target audience and fits your brand’s objectives.
-
Your Website’s Analytics Do Not Look Great, and It Is Not Ranking in Search Engines
The amount of page views and visitors your site receives matters, but these are not the only site analytics you should be focused on. To know whether your content is doing what it is meant to do, you should also look into:
- Bounce rate
- Average time on site
- Page views per visit
Now, let’s talk about your search rankings. Does your website rank for the keywords people use to look for the products and services your business offers? If you cannot even find it on page 4 of Google, then your website is likely not search engine-optimized.
-
Your Website Takes a While to Load
If there is one thing to know about web users, it is the fact that they are impatient people. Time is precious to them. Therefore, if they come into contact with a slow-loading website, do not expect them to stick around.
Site speed is so important that Google now considers it as a factor for search engine rankings. What does this mean for your brand?
Well, let’s put it this way. If your content and images take more than a few seconds to load, then expect to have trouble ranking high on Google.
-
Your Website Is Not Optimized for Mobile
Most people prefer browsing the internet via their mobile devices, not their desktops. This method is more convenient since their smartphones and tablets are always within their reach.
With that, you need to make sure that your website is mobile-friendly. If it’s not, then you might lose many potential customers. It would be a good idea to upgrade your site with a responsive web design. This lets your website adapt to the user’s screen.
-
Your Website Does Not Use a Content Management System (CMS)
Static websites used to be common, but they are now getting rarer. These days, most websites are built with a CMS, and for good reason. A CMS makes it easy to add, update, edit, and schedule web content—even if you are not a professional developer.
Static websites, on the other hand, are a nightmare if you do not have anyone on your team who can code. But if you have a brand-new CMS website made for your business, you do not have to worry about this anymore.
-
Your Website Does Not Have Any Calls to Action
Do you remember what the point of having a website is? It’s meant to grab the attention of your target audience and get them to buy your products or use your services.
Your website should, therefore, be sprinkled with calls to action (CTAs). A CTA guides web visitors into taking a certain action, whether it is to purchase something or schedule an appointment. CTAs should be easily visible. You can have them in the form of:
- Links
- Graphics
- Buttons
- Banners
-
Your Website No Longer Reflects Your Company
If we asked you whether your company is the same as it was a year ago, what would you answer?
Chances are, it’s not exactly the same. You may have added new services, retired old products, or changed your logo. Maybe you even moved addresses.
Should that be the case, you should have a redesign ASAP. Your website needs to display the most up-to-date information so that your business remains trustworthy.
Wrapping Up
If you want your business to survive the stiff competition online, then you should consider a new website design. It should be constantly updated to accommodate the best web design practices as well as your company’s evolving needs.
Do not allow your business to get lost among the sea of generic, old-school websites. With a solid web design, it can stand out and deliver the right message to your audience.
Keep Your Website Design Up-to-Date with Proweaver
Does your company’s website need a few tweaks or a total makeover? Let the pros at Proweaver handle it! Our team has over a decade of experience in custom web design. We have what it takes to craft a site that stays true to your brand and wins over your audience.
If you want to find out more, please feel free to call us at +1 (949) 242-9506. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions.