We seem to forget that despite feeling like part of the furniture the web is still in its infancy, and what’s alarming is the rate at which it is evolving. New technologies, trends and standards are progressing all the time, and this directly influences the viewer’s expectations of what all websites should be. Asking yourself “is my website current?” should be something you do regularly.
Old news
The website that you had built back in 2002 probably doesn’t even come close to modern expectations now. New functionality and standards seem to crop up every other week, so websites even a few years old can sometimes age badly. This is just one of those things that businesses need to accept – in a digital world, stuff moves fast!
If you’re on the fence about whether or not your company needs a cyberspace dust off, we’re going to take a look at some of the benefits of taking action.
Give yourself the edge
This is your chance to assess the competition. Look at what they’re doing and see how you can improve on it. At a minimum your website should be on par with this, but ideally surpass your competitors so that your site really stands out.
Update your brand and experience
Your brand may have changed somewhat over the years and this needs to be reflected on your new website. You may have gained specific areas of expertise over the years, yet these are nowhere to be seen on your current site; make sure people know what you’re good at.
Save time, make money
Despite the initial design/development cost remember your website is a tool to sell your services and an investment for your business. Without it you’re cutting your potential customers in half. On top of this items such as FAQ pages can reduce the time your team spends responding to customer phone calls and emails, helping to make your business more efficient.
Improve speed & SEO
During your rebuild you should focus on new technologies and standards, and removing things that might be considered out of date. Flash elements for example are pretty much done and dusted. Things like this can improve your SEO and site visibility to the search engines.
Reengage and initiate
When you launch your new site, see it as a conversation starter. Contact past customers and tell them about the launch of your new site and any new services/products you might be able to offer them. Also, tell local press and hold an event to create buzz around the launch; this will open up the potential to attract new customers.
Build on data
Your rebuild should be influenced by the data you have from the old site. For example you can highlight bottlenecks and drop out points from conversion goals. Once you know where the problem is you can make sure you fix it in the new design. After all your new site shouldn’t be a duplicate of your current one.
These are just some of the key benefits that should perhaps make your decision easier when it comes to redeveloping your site. Perhaps most importantly, your website should be something you’re proud of. If you find yourself making excuses for your website or put off sending potential clients there, then it’s a clear indication that something needs to be done about it.
Your website is often the first impression people will have with your business, so make sure it’s a good one. We are amazing at website design and development – you can see examples of our work by visiting our portfolio. To find out what we think of your website, get in touch.