Your website works around the clock, even when you don’t. When it’s out of date, it quietly sends people to the business down the road, and you never hear about it. Here are seven signs your site is due for a redesign.
1. It’s hard to use on a phone
Pull up your site on your phone right now. If you have to pinch and zoom, if buttons are tiny, or if your phone number isn’t easy to tap, visitors on phones are struggling. And most local customers search on their phones.
2. It loads slowly
People don’t wait. If your pages take a long time to appear, many visitors give up before they ever see what you offer. Slow sites can also rank lower in search.
3. It doesn’t show up on Google
If you search for your main service and your town and you can’t find yourself, the site may be missing the basics: clear service pages, good page titles, and a connected Google Business Profile.
4. You can’t update it yourself
If changing a phone number or adding a photo means calling someone and waiting a week, your site will fall out of date. A modern site should let you make simple changes in minutes.
5. It doesn’t look like your business anymore
Businesses change: new services, new logo, new service area. If your website still describes the business you were five years ago, it’s working against you.
6. It’s not secure
If your browser shows “Not secure” next to your address, or your site runs on old, unpatched software, visitors notice, and so do search engines. A secure certificate (the padlock) and regular updates are basic requirements today.
7. It isn’t bringing in calls or messages
The real job of a business website is to bring in business. If people visit but don’t call, book, or send a message, something is in the way: unclear services, a buried phone number, or no reason to get in touch.
How to redesign without losing your rankings
A redesign done carelessly can wipe out the search rankings your old site earned. Done right, it protects them:
- Keep the pages that already bring in traffic, and improve them instead of deleting them.
- Set up redirects so every old page address sends visitors and Google to its new home.
- Keep your page titles and headings focused on what people search for.
- Check Google Search Console after launch to catch any problems early.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a business redesign its website?
There’s no fixed schedule. Many businesses refresh their site every few years, or sooner if the site isn’t working on phones, isn’t secure, or no longer matches the business.
Can I keep my current domain name?
Yes. A redesign changes how the site looks and works. Your domain name can stay the same.
Not sure where yours stands?
Send your site through the free website check and I’ll tell you honestly whether it needs a redesign or just a few fixes. More on how I handle redesigns here.