Your website is your online face. It tells the world what your organization is like and what you do. But if your website looks old and boring, it can scare away your visitors and hurt your reputation. Pretty simple.
In this article, we will show you four signs that your website needs a makeover. If you spot any of these signs, do not worry. We constantly give you some tips on how to fix them and make your website shine.
Looks and feels
Your website design and UX are the first things your visitors notice. If your website looks like it was made in the early 2010s, it is time to change it. Here are some simple tips:
Are you using tables or frames to arrange your website? That is a big no-no. These techniques make your website hard to use and adapt to different screens.
More and more people are using their phones and tablets to browse the web. If your website does not fit well on different devices, it can annoy your visitors and make them leave. And you would be surprised at how fast someone can get annoyed on the phone.
Side-note: Flash is dead. Many browsers and devices do not support it anymore. If your website uses Flash for videos or animations, it is a sure sign that it needs an update.
S p e e d
If your website takes forever to load, it can ruin your online presence and ranking. Here are some signs that your website is too slow:
First one is obvious. If your website takes more than a few seconds to load, it is a problem. People really do not like to wait for information, and they will bounce if your website is too slow. I mean they really do not like it. Anymore than 3 seconds and you are out.
Obsolete technologies like outdated content management systems (CMS) or server software can impede your performance. Ensure that you are up to date on this. It can go a long way.
Large image sizes, uncompressed files, and excessive use of plugins can significantly slow down your website. Usually the latter is the culprit, so make sure you are clear on that end. Large images are more of a specific situation thing. It can impact the site negatively if the users are on the slow end of internet speed themselves.
Content is boring
Your website content is what keeps your visitors interested and informed. If your website shows news articles or events that are months or years old, it is time to get rid of them. And by getting rid of them we mean you gotta post new content. Old stuff can make your website look outdated and unprofessional. It looks like your organization is not all that relevant or that it is barely staying afloat.
Also, showing an outdated copyright date on your website can make your visitors think that you do not care about your website. Update this information every year to show that you are active and current.
Check your content for any information that is no longer true, such as products or services that you do not offer anymore, prices that have changed, or contact details that are incorrect. Make sure that all information is accurate and up to date. Why? Cause if you have some outdated services posted and you have yet to remove the content, it shows that you do not get much traffic. Otherwise the requests would have probably gotten annoying and you would have removed it.
Modern Standards
Things move pretty fast in this field. Reacting soon enough to some trends, standards or principles can get you noticed and get you noticed fast.
The eye test is surprisingly decent. If your website looks weird or does not work properly on the latest browsers, it is, in fact, a sign that your website is outdated.
There is also accessibility. Websites that are not accessible to people with disabilities are not only outdated, but also unfair. Make sure your website follows accessibility guidelines such as the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) to make your website easy and enjoyable for everyone to use.
Last but not least, having an SSL certificate is important for security and trust. Without it, your website may be marked as unsafe by browsers and scare away your visitors.
The Conclusion
Do not let your website fall behind the times. If you see any of these signs on your website, nip them in the bud. Your website is your online face, and you want it to look good and work well for your visitors.
Looks and feels are not everything, but most people do care a whole lot about how your website comes across. So, depending on your aims you might want to avoid additional headaches.
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