It's no secret that a professional website is essential for businesses in the modern world.
But what happens when your website looks a little…lost in time? Whether your competitors have snazzier websites or it’s been a few years since you last updated your site, web design Cleveland OH can help get you back into the competitive arena.
Unsure whether you could benefit from web design Cleveland OH? Here are some telltale signs that it might be time for an update:
Your Website Appears Outdated
Among the most obvious signs you need a new website is if your current site looks stuck in 2003. If your website uses design elements or color schemes that were popular a few years ago, it’s probably time for an update. Additionally, if your website is not responsive, meaning it doesn’t format well on mobile devices, including Smartphones and Tablets, that’s another sign that it’s time for a change. In today’s digital world, having a website that looks good and functions well on all devices is more critical than ever.
Your Competitors Have Better Websites
Even in small cities and geographical areas, business competition is a real thing. And in the online world, where businesses are just a click away, competition is fierce. So if you find that your competitors have better-looking websites with more features and functionality, it might be time to invest in web design Cleveland OH to level the playing field.
Your Website Takes Too Long to Load
If you’re like nearly everyone else, the answer is probably never. People expect websites to load quickly and efficiently in today’s fast-paced world. So if your website takes too long to load, chances are good that visitors will find a site that better meets their needs.
You Have No Clue About Your Website's Analytics
Not sure what your website’s analytics are or how to find them? Investing in web design is worthwhile if you don’t know your site’s page views, unique visitors, average time on site, or other vital metrics. A professional web design team can help to integrate a Google Analytics tracking code into your site so that you can begin to track your website’s progress and performance.
Pertinent metrics that Analytics will show you include:
- How many people visit your site
- The most frequently visited pages
- The length of time visitors remain on the page
- Conversion Rate Data
- Bounce rate
Your Site Has Outdated Or Unsupported Technology
Over the years, there have been countless web design advancements, from the rise of responsive design and CSS3 to the importance of mobile-friendliness and website speed. However, suppose you built your website a few years ago. In that case, there’s a good chance it doesn’t incorporate some of these newer technologies and might even have outdated or unsupported digital technology.
For example, suppose any or all of your business website relies on Adobe Flash Player. Unfortunately, your site is effectively defunct in that case, as the browser no longer supports this technology.
Additionally, if you created your website using an older version of HTML, such as HTML4 or XHTML 1.0, it might not display correctly in all browsers. These days, most web browsers support HTML5, the latest version of HTML.
Investing in a new web design can help to ensure that your website is up-to-date with the latest technology and will display correctly in all browsers.
You Can't Edit or Add New Content
Fresh content is the lifeblood of thriving websites. If you need to add content to your site but can’t because you don’t have access to the backend or CMS, this is problematic. Nowadays, most business websites rely on tested Content Management Systems like WordPress.
This website publishing platform offers business owners the flexibility and functionality to easily add or edit the content on their site without needing to know any HTML code. They also make it easy to add new features and functionality as required, such as blogs, social media integration, e-commerce stores, and contact forms.
If you’re not using a CMS or can’t access the backend of your website to blog, update product descriptions, or add new pages, it might be time to get a web design professional on board to help.
Your Website Is Missing SEO Optimization
Suppose you’re not using basic on-page SEO techniques, such as keyword research and optimization, image alt tags, and proper title tags. In that case, you may miss out on valuable website traffic.
SEO should be a top priority for any business that wants to succeed online. After all, what’s the point of having a website if no one can find it?
A web design team can help ensure that your site is correctly optimized for the search engines so that you can start to rank higher in the SERPS, drive more organic traffic to your site, and boost conversions.
It Is Missing Critical Security Protocols
When you think about all the things you can do online, from banking and shopping to sharing personal information, it’s no wonder that security is a top concern for many internet users. And when you consider that 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, it’s clear that website security should be a top priority for business owners as well.
You could risk your site and customers’ data if your website misses critical security protocols, such as an SSL certificate. When a website has an SSL Certificate, the URL will start with HTTPS protocol, which is a more secure way of sharing information online.
You Are Ready For A Change
Sometimes, the reason for getting a new website is as simple as just wanting a new one. For example, if you’re happy with your current website but feel it’s time for a change, that’s perfectly understandable.
If you could use some help in determining whether or not you need a new website, contact our web design Cleveland OH agency today. We will be happy to discuss your project and help you determine the best way to move forward.
