Insights

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? We have all heard that hundreds of times, and in most cases, it rings true. However, when it comes to your website, this philosophy may not be the best approach. Just because your website shows up when someone types in the URL doesn’t mean it’s working well for you. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 reasons your old website may be hurting more than helping you.

1. It Is Extremely Difficult To Update

Many dated content management systems (CMS) are tough to work with. Not only are they giving you headaches, but they’re costing you money. Old, dated systems can sometimes take up to 5 times as long to update content. This can be a waste of valuable time and resources (especially if the site needs to be updated a few times a week). In many cases these types of situations can result in admins/companies just leaving their website as is; resulting in not only a dated website, but dated information. Both of these are bad for your end-user and your business.

2. It Is Not Mobile-Friendly

These days, responsive design is the norm. If your website is not built to respond to all device sizes, you are losing major points with Google, and your audience, and we should probably talk. If it is responsive, great. However, just because it is responsive, that doesn’t mean it’s mobile-friendly. A strong mobile experience should cater directly to your target audience and make it easy for them to access what they need. With mobile accounting for nearly half of the internet’s traffic worldwide, it is very important to provide a solid mobile user experience.

3. It Is Not Technically Sound

As consumers, we think of the look and feel of a website and don’t generally think about the technical aspects of it. Old (or bad) code can present many problems that can deter users from your website.

Load speed – A recent study shows that 47% of people expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less.
Poor Security – Identity theft, credit card fraud, SPAM – three things you probably don’t want to be associated with your site.
Google Ranking/SEO – Google doesn’t like bad code, and they WILL punish you. Don’t make Google angry.
(Source.)

4. It Doesn’t Look Professional

First impressions are definitely a big deal. A recent study shows 48% of people say that a website’s design is the No. 1 factor in determining the credibility of a business. (Source.) That is huuuuge! It’s also proof that today’s audiences want peace of mind. They want to know you are legit. They want an exciting and engaging experience… or they will try one of your competitors.

5. It Lacks Information In The Right Spots

Users should be able to get to where they need to go (or where you want them to go) in a couple of quick clicks. If your company’s important information is not clearly laid out and easily accessible, users will be less likely to hang around. It is common for older websites to be very copy-heavy, lack clear call to action, and require some extra “user-patience” when navigating – none of which are good for your company’s web presence.

If any of the above sounds like your current website, it may be time to consider a redesign. Don’t worry. It doesn’t have to be painful, and it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. We can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Author: Greg Waters, Creative Director

Are you concerned about including a new website investment into your budget? Check out this blog on cost justifying a new website!