Have you had the same website design since your business began? Are things starting to feel a little stale? Do you still feel like you’re grinding it out to sell your services? Are you getting lots of leads through your site, but they aren’t your ideal client?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, it might be time for a website revamp. Read on to learn about some more specific signs it’s time for a website redesign.

Why Redesign a Website?

Before we get into the specific warning signs to watch for, let’s touch briefly on some reasons to redesign your website. The following are some of the great advantages that a website redesign has to offer:

• Improve website aesthetics and make it more visually appealing
• Improve website navigation, functionality, and ease of use for a better user experience
• Increase conversions and boost your bottom line
• Improve your search engine ranking and organic traffic
• Increase mobile-friendliness for on-the-go visitors

As you can see, redesigning your website isn’t just about making it look nicer. It can also lead to a better user experience and increased sales, both of which are essential if you want to help your business to grow and thrive long-term.

9 Signs It’s Time for a Website Redesign

Okay, you can see why a website redesign is helpful. Is it actually time to redesign your website, though? 

If you’re still hesitant about taking this step (and, to be fair, it is a pretty big step), here are some specific signs to watch for:

1. Your Traffic Is Low

Have you noticed a drop in the number of people who are visiting or engaging with your website? Fluctuations are normal and usually not a big deal. If you’re seeing consistent decreases, though, a redesign might help to get your numbers back up.

Similarly, if you’ve never really been able to make much traction with your site, it may be time to call in an expert who can help you create an optimized website that will get you showing up in search engine results and attracting more traffic.

A note of caution – the old saying “build it and they will come” only works if you’re getting the word out that you built it! So, you’ll want to incorporate a content marketing strategy into your overall approach (think blog publishing, email marketing, social media).

2. Your Bounce Rate Is High

The term “bounce rate” refers to the number of people who leave your website after visiting for just a few seconds. 

If this number is going up, people might be clicking away from your site because of its design or usability. It might seem outdated, for example, or difficult for users to navigate, which can deter many readers and potential customers, causing them to leave your site.

3. Your Conversion Rate Is Low

Are you struggling to convert leads into paying customers? Sometimes, the design or navigability of your website can contribute to this issue. Poor functionality (such as slow load times) can be part of the problem as well.

4. Nothing Is Automated

A lack of automation can also make it harder for you to increase your conversion rates and run your business in the most efficient way possible. By redesigning your website to include things like embedded schedulers and automated contact forms, you can simplify the sales process and boost your bottom line.

5. It’s Not Mobile-Friendly

These days, the majority of online searches (nearly 60 percent) take place from a mobile device. If your website is not mobile-friendly and people cannot easily navigate from their smartphone, they’re going to be more likely to click away and check out your competitors’ sites instead.

6. Your Social Media Shares Are Down

Are people not sharing your content on their social media pages as often as they once were? This might be because your blog is outdated and doesn’t make it easy for them to share posts. By revamping the design of the blog, as well as the whole website, you could start to increase your shares.

7. It Was Built Years Ago

If it’s been a couple of years, or longer, since you built your business (and website), it’s likely changed. 

Maybe you’re selling new products or services. Perhaps you’ve expanded your offerings to reach a different audience, but they’re not represented in your current design. 

Revamping your site will ensure it aligns with your current business goals, values, and ideal customers.

8. You Hesitate to Show It Off

When people ask if you have a website, do you hesitate to provide them with the link? If so, that’s a big red flag that your site might be outdated and in need of a refresh!

9. Your Competitors Are Redesigning

Even if none of the other signs mentioned above resonate with you, if your competitors are redesigning their websites, it might be a good idea for you to think about a redesign as well. 

It’s not always necessary to keep up with the Joneses. If everyone else is doing something and you’re the only one who isn’t, though, that’s something worth looking at a little more closely before you write it off completely.

Plan Your Website Redesign Strategy Today

Have you identified with any of the indicators mentioned above? If so, there’s a good chance it’s in your best interest to start moving forward with a website redesign. 

You don’t have to tackle the redesign all by yourself! Whitney Bateson Digital Strategy is the ultimate web development resource for small and medium-sized businesses and nonprofits in the public health, nutrition, and food and agriculture industries. 

We do the heavy lifting for you so you can focus on other elements of your business or organization. Contact us today to set up a free discovery call to learn more about our services.