Nothing says “behind the times” like a website that hasn’t been updated in a while. If your website has a layer of dust on it, you could be missing out on gaining leads and growing your business. Here are six questions to ask yourself before jumping into a complete web overhaul.
When was your last update?
If the answer is over a year ago, then it’s probably time to start redesigning. Technology is constantly changing, and your website needs to keep up. If you haven’t updated your site’s look and functionality in over a year, then start thinking about what the next steps could be for breathing new life into your website. These changes can be small — so don’t feel overwhelmed. Your site might just need a few updates here and there.
What’s my competition doing?
Before considering whether or not a redesign is in order, it’s always good to check out what the competition is doing. Take some time to look at other websites that offer a similar product to yours. What does their website look like? Do they have any extra tabs that you don’t? What do you like? What do you dislike? By looking at other websites, you’ll be able to begin forming a stronger opinion about how you want your website to look.
Is my website mobile-friendly?
All websites MUST be mobile-friendly in order to stay relevant. Let us say that one more time — all websites must be mobile-friendly in order to stay relevant. More and more people are accessing information via their smartphones. If your website doesn’t translate well on a phone screen, then you are definitely missing out on opportunities to gain more clients. If your site is mobile-friendly, take a good look at its functionality. There is always room for improvement.
Do all the links work?
Links can be a pesky website detail. If you update a URL, you must make sure it’s also updated on the website. But, as life goes, we forget to cross-check our links. If your website is a hotbed for broken links, it might be a sign that your site has become dormant. Take some time to go through your page and do some sprucing. A complete redesign might not be in order, but a nice clean sweep definitely is.
Can I do this myself?
Redesigning a website is a big task. And if you don’t know how to code or your website is built on a complicated platform, then it might be wise to hire some help. After all, you want your website to look sharp and you want it to work!
Am I happy with my branding?
If you’re not satisfied with your branding — or you think it needs some freshening up — a website redesign is the perfect time to tackle that project, too. In fact, rebranding and redesigning a website often go hand in hand. If you’re not happy with your branding and are considering changing up your logo, then consider improving your website at the same time, too.