Thinking about getting a new website, but not 100% sure if now is the right time? I know the feeling! Deciding whether or not you need a new web presence is a tricky and tough decision, so today I thought I’d share eight of the questions I like to ask when considering a complete web overhaul.
Your website doesn’t work.
This one probably goes without saying, but if any part of your website isn’t functioning properly (and you can’t fix it), then it’s probably time to consider a new site. Things like broken navigation links, missing images, and broken contact forms can all be devastating to your site’s user experience and might just mean that it’s time for a website redo.
You’d like to add new functionality.
Maybe you’ve been thinking about adding a quote request form to your site, or maybe you’re finally getting around to starting that blog. But if your site was built a few years ago, it might be a challenge to add that functionality into your existing platform, especially if it wasn’t built on a content management system (CMS). If you’re looking to extend functionality on a dated site, this might just be the nudge you need to do a complete overhaul.
Your site is hard (or impossible) to update.
Have you been putting off updating your site with new content and images for awhile because it’s just too tricky—or maybe impossible—to make changes? If you’re unable to keep your content fresh and accurate because of your site’s limitations, then it might be time to consider a migration over to a user-friendly CMS. Fresh content is one of the biggest keys to a successful web presence!
Your site isn’t mobile friendly.
Was your website built before responsive design was a “thing?” If you’re not familiar with the term, worry not! Having a responsive website just means that your site will scale down perfectly no matter the device that it’s being viewed on: be it a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone. If it’s rough navigating your current site on a variety of devices, then you’ll surely want to consider a redesign—one that’s built on a responsive framework.
Your site is slow.
If it’s taking more than a handful of seconds for any page of your site to load, you’ll either want to resolve that issue or use this as a chance to completely overhaul your website. The reasons for a slow site vary, but could be due to bulky code, unoptimized images, high traffic not being properly managed, 404 errors, or not caching your site—just to name a few. If your current website wasn’t built by an expert, it would be well worth it to at least invest in a few hours of consultation to ensure that your new site is properly developed, hosted, and optimized.
Your business has changed significantly.
Has your business taken on a new form since your current website was created? Maybe you’ve added on a new primary offering, or maybe you’re now targeting a new niche market. Whatever the case may be, if there has been a significant shift in your business since your existing website was created, it might be time to consider a site redesign that caters better to your new service offerings or audience.
You’ve recently rebranded.
Have you recently overhauled your company’s branding? If your business is sporting a new logo and new fonts, colors, etc. then it would be hard to find a better time to also redo your website’s look and feel to match. A cohesive style between all properties is key!
Your site looks outdated.
This one is probably a no-brainer, but I still think it’s worth mentioning. If you’re feeling like your site looks outdated—especially in comparison to your competitors—then it’s probably worth considering a website redesign. Web trends change very quickly, so if your site is more than a couple of years old, it’s definitely worth considering a revamp if you have the time and funds.
Is your site ready for a redesign? Reach out! I’d love to hear your ideas and put together a quick quote for your project.