"To design the future effectively, you must first let go of your past." -Charles J. Givens
Do yourself a favor – go take a look at a random page on your website. Really look at it, at every image, every menu, every piece of blank space. Does that page represent your business today? Is it engaging to your prospects?
Chances are it is not. More likely it is a snapshot of your business from two, or even five, years ago – or whenever you last redesigned your website. While we are being honest here, when was the last time you did anything other than just maintain your site? It’s OK, go ahead and face it. It might just be time to send your website to the great ether archive.
If you still have doubts -- still love that design you toiled over endlessly as a startup -- here are five reasons to redesign your website that you just can’t ignore.
1. Devices Galore
Gone are the days when all you had to worry about is how your site appeared on two or three web browsers. Today, your website must be responsive on all devices, because your client base is looking at you from desktops, laptops, and smartphones. Redesign your website so that every user has the best experience.
2. Looks Matter
If you are claiming to be the leader in your industry, you know how important it is to make sure your website reflects that image. As aesthetics change and technology grows, your website has to keep up. Redesign so that you are current and fresh.
3. The Times, They are a Changin’
Search engines (and by search engines we still mean Google) regularly change the algorithm used to ranks websites. While your site might have been ideally optimized three years ago, if you haven’t changed anything on your website, you are losing rank. Period. Redesign your website for search engine optimization.
4. Building a Bigger Brand Name
Today, websites play a huge role in brand development. What does your website say about you as a brand? Do you sell a technology product, but have outdated functions on your website? Are you marketing yourself as a subject matter expert, but have a website full of two year old content? Redesign your website to gain trust, credibility, and build your brand.
5. It’s all About Functionality
Chances are, you’re actually selling your products or services over the Internet and the easier you make it, the more sales you’ll get. Have you integrated the latest ecommerce software? Updated your payment options? Increased the search functionality of your site? Redesign your website to make it easy for clients to make a purchase or select you for your services.
Many business owners simply love their existing website like a child and cannot deal with change. But we’re guessing you love sales more. It’s time to say goodbye- redesign your website and move on. RIP.