It’s no secret that business growth can be unpredictable. You may start with a grand plan, but that original blueprint may not remain feasible as your company expands and changes. So what do you do when your business starts to evolve but your website doesn’t reflect these new plans?
The first step towards total recovery is acknowledging that you have a problem. And if you’re not sure, here are a few signs that your website strategy may need an update:
- Your website has had no content updates for over a year
- Your website is not mobile-friendly
- Your website doesn’t reflect your current business strategy
If your business website falls into any of these categories, it’s time to update. But before you start to panic, there are a few things you can do to make the process a little bit easier.
What Is Your Website’s Primary Objective?
The initial phase step is determining what you want your website to achieve. For example, are you most interested in increasing traffic, generating leads, or selling products? Once you have a precise objective in mind, you can start to create content that aligns with that goal.
Assigning objectives at the beginning of your design project builds a strong foundation. Visitors must naturally navigate through your pages to the checkout or signup. Without defining goals, expect a high bounce rate and a low conversion rate, which are the last things you want.
Mobile Matters So Design Accordingly
Next, make sure your website is mobile-friendly. Most people exclusively use their phones to access the internet in today’s world, so you must optimize your website for these devices.
The vast majority of visitors arrive via mobile search. Indeed, you must have an excellent desktop design, but neglecting mobile-friendliness is a genuine risk.
Stay Up to Date and Accurate
Finally, update your website content and design to reflect your current business strategy. That may be a daunting task, but you can make the process easier by taking it one step at a time.
Overall, you may need significant content if your business has undergone quite a few changes in recent history.
If you’re unsure where to start, enlist the help of a web design or marketing agency. They can help you create a website tailored to your business needs. It’s always better to update your website sooner. So don’t wait until your business has outgrown your website – act now and make changes.
How to Update Your Website – What Needs to be Updated?
Before plunging into a total redesign, it’s worth addressing a few key concerns. For instance, what has changed since your last site design? Your products? Services? Location?
Set aside an hour or two to assess your website and its content, then make a list of specific items that need attention. That might include updating your company’s logo and branding, refreshing your website design, or rewriting your website content. It may be easiest to switch to a new look if it’s been years or decades since the last branding or design work.
Who Will Build the New Website?
Your company’s in-house marketing or IT staff may be able to take on a limited website redesign project. However, it’s usually best to bring in outside experts if you plan a more comprehensive update – including a new design and updated content. A web design or marketing agency can help you assess your needs and develop a plan to update your website.
How Much Will it Cost?
Redesigning a website can vary depending on the project’s scope. Before hiring web design professionals, get estimates for the work needed. That will help you budget for the project and ensure you’re not overpaying for services. Working with a well-reviewed, experienced agency is a sure way to get the highest-quality website for your company.
What’s the Timeline?
Redesigning a website can take time, depending on the project’s scope. For example, it may take months to complete if you plan a significant overhaul. However, regardless of the scope, you should allow enough time to meet launch date deadlines.
What is the Purpose of Your Website?
Define objectives and stick with a focused design plan for any corporate website. Too often, companies will try to do too much with their website or focus on aesthetics over function. Your website should support your company’s business goals, not the other way around. It’s best to start a project only once you have a clear idea of what you want your website to achieve, then build it around those objectives.
The primary purpose of your website should be clear from the start. Once you know what you want your website to do, you can focus on designing and developing it accordingly. Avoid trying to overdo the design and sacrificing functionality for appearance.
Is Your Website Mobile-Friendly?
As of early 2021, over half of all internet traffic is from mobile devices. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you miss out on many potential visitors. Make sure your website design considers the way people use their phones and tablets to access the internet.
Responsive websites automatically format to look excellent on all devices and screen sizes. That saves you a lot of problems associated with display and is the preferred design for corporate sites.
How Does Your Website Look?
Your website’s design is one of its most essential features. It’s the first thing people see when they visit your site, and it can influence their perception of your company. So always go with a website that uses sound design principles – typography, color theory, layout, etc. – and that it’s visually appealing. But, naturally, you’ll also want well-written, grammatically correct content that tells the world you mean business and pay keen attention to detail.
Have Questions About A New Website Design?
If so, our team is happy to answer essential questions and provide a no-obligation quote for your project.
Please reach out and get in contact to start a conversation about your website upgrade project today!
