The start of the New Year is the time when most people resolve to make changes. These changes are needed to improve; learn a new skill, shed unwanted extra weight, become more sleek and modern, and meet new people…

Couldn’t the same updates benefit your websites?

Soon, your business needs will outgrow your site’s capacity to serve.

• Perhaps the design is outdated (still using FLASH player?)
• 404 Error pages are popping up, due to broken links
• Your site looks bizarre on your mobile device

For these and many other common problems, we’re going to give you 5 obvious reasons why it’s time to redesign your site.

Before we dive in, let us give you a quick reminder:

It’s important to think about the goals of a redesign. In our experience, not all websites are a lost cause! In fact, you may only need some simple tweaks, and not a whole redo.

We’ll show you how to figure all of this out in a moment.

In the meantime, let’s talk about The 5 Reasons Why It Could Be Time For A Website Redesign.

Your website is pulling your sales down

Remember, your website is your #1 salesman.

However, your branding changes as well. And these changes should reflect on the way your website looks and feels; just like how a sales rep changes her sales presentations and product portfolio.

With that in mind, honestly ask yourself these questions:

• Can you cater to a fresher market – the Millennials, perhaps?
• Does the site copy reflect the changes happening in the industry?
• Do you speak the language of your current customers?
• Is your lead generating method enticing enough to attract a slew of traffic from different sources such as social media?
• Do you enjoy a spike in site visits while maintaining a low bounce rate in the past 2 to 3 years?
• Can you confidently say that your site far outranks your competitors in terms of functionality, conversion, and aesthetics?

If your answer to some of these questions is “NO”, then it’s time to make a move by introducing fresher content and design layouts – something that entices a new generation of buyers and visitors alike.

Google is not helping you

Google… If you want to win with Google, you’ve got to play by their rules.

And that means adhering to current search engine algorithms:

• Your site MUST be mobile responsive
• Ditch the Flash files and Java applets. Instead, utilize HTML text format
• Use targeted keywords in your copy
• Preventing duplicate content
• Embed rich snippets in the HTML code
• Utilize User-friendly navigation, such as headings, subheadings, sidebars and navigation bars
• Readable URLs – the link address should be written in readable language, without codes and gibberish
• Optimize and speed up page load time

This list can be overwhelming. However, with the help of a designer who understands the best SEO practices, you should be able to operate a website search engines will fall in love with.

Outdated Code can be a HUGE security risk

Imagine a group of thieves have been planning a major heist for months. They have everything they need to pull this off, including the business layout and security codes to enter the building.

A day before the heist, they decide to visit their target for a final look – only to find out there’s an extra security officer on every floor, newly installed CCTVs and a pair of vicious security dogs watching his every move!

Foiled in their attempt, they simply move along to an easier target.

Your website is no different from an office building.

Sooner or later, you’ve got to fortify its defenses; otherwise, the bad guys will soon figure it all out.

And as much as we like to think of our website as eye candy, we shouldn’t forget about the safety and security of our business and our customers.

Certain plug-ins, although helpful, could potentially leave an opportunity for exploitation.

If you’ve been using the same set of plugins, themes or tools for at least 3 years without any updates, it’s time to call your developer.

Make an audit of all the third party tools running under the site. Assess their worth and decide whether it’s time to look for a replacement or an upgrade.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my site slow down my business?
• Is the design using modern trends and preferences?
• Are there new versions available?
• Is my site protected from a security breach and exploitation?

You can tell if your site is being hacked by looking for these signs:

• The page takes about 30 seconds to load
• You find content that is unfamiliar on the site
• Unknown plugins
• Security Alerts from browsers
• Signs of Unauthorized access
• Google says your site is harmful or hacked
• You’ve been blacklisted by search engines

So before this situation becomes a disaster, contact NDESIGN to address these threats.

Your competitors are leaving your site in the dust

Try this: find your top 3 competitors for any search engine result. See if they’re outranking you. Visit each site. Study how each site’s content is written.
• Does it strike an emotional chord?
• Were you impressed?
• Are you saying to yourself, “I wish MY site looked like this!”
• Does it have better images?
• Do you find it easy to navigate from page to page?

If you answered, “Yes,” then it’s time to rethink your current approach.

You need to find the flaws in your design, and work on how to upgrade your website to keep up with competitors.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Work with your NDESIGN partner to figure out how to implement modern practices in your design.

The Online Marketing Institute provides some excellent guiding principles for your site’s design.

Some of these are:

• Have a persona-based design (Note: probably the most important)
• Create a visual hierarchy
• Implement the best usability practices

Your website doesn’t excite you anymore

How do you feel when you think about your website?

Are you frustrated because making changes or keeping it updated is overwhelming?

Are you getting leads that aren’t producing results?

Is your sales team embarassed by the website?

Remember, your website is a company asset! And if you don’t feel excited reporting to your office, something must be done to bring that mojo back.

Offices and stores have regular makeovers. So why not your website?

Here’s how to start to make impactful changes on your site:

• Have your team ready. This would include the HR, Sales, Marketing, Management, Support and workers in the field. Discuss how the website could help them with their duties and goals.
• Ask for their opinions on your site. Is it becoming a detriment – rather than a vehicle – for business growth?
• Write down things you feel aren’t working on the site. Are customers just not calling, or are they calling for the wrong reasons?

THEN… Compare their list with your own.
Separate the “must-haves” from “just-wants.”
Once done, check the list again.
If the amount of work needed to bring the site up to speed as outlined above, it may be in your best interest to redo the whole site – top to bottom.

However, if the site is up to modern design standards, and you’re just missing one or two things above, maybe a redesign isn’t for you. All you have to do is find someone to address these few features.

What’s Next?

Contact the professionals at NDESIGN to work out a plan. Remember; prevention is easier than cure. Don’t let your website compromise your business.