Keeping your website current and updated is essential in today’s fast-paced digital world. If your website is dated, difficult to navigate, or isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be losing out on valuable leads and customers. A website redesign can help freshen up your online presence and make it easier for potential customers to find and connect with your business. Here’s what you need to know.
How Do You Know if You Need to Update Your Website?
If you’re not sure whether your website needs a refreshing update, there are a few key indicators.
Your website looks outdated: If it still uses Flash or hasn’t been updated in several years, it’s probably time to redesign.
Your website is difficult to navigate: If potential customers can’t figure out how to find the information they’re looking for, they’re likely to give up and go somewhere else. A well-designed website will have a straightforward navigation structure that makes it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
Your website is not mobile-friendly: In today’s world, you must optimize your website for mobile devices. Over half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices, so if your website isn’t designed to be viewed proportionately on a small smart phone or tablet screen, you’re missing out on a lot of potential customers.
Your website is not generating leads: If your website isn’t bringing in new leads, it’s not doing its job. A good website design will include calls to action (CTAs) that encourage users to contact you or learn more about your products or services.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems with your website, it’s time to consider a redesign.
What are the Benefits of Updating Your Website?
There are many benefits to updating your website, including:
A fresh, modern look: A website redesign can give your site a whole new look that reflects your brand in a more contemporary way.
Improved usability: A well-designed website will be easy for users to navigate, helping them find the information they’re looking for quickly and easily.
An optimized mobile experience: A mobile-friendly website design will ensure that your site looks great on all devices. Mobile viewing makes it easy for potential customers to find and use your site no matter where they are.
Increased leads and sales: A well-designed website will be more effective at generating leads and sales than an outdated or poorly designed site.
Improved search engine ranking: Search engines like up-to-date and easy-to-use websites. As a result, a redesign can help your site rank higher in search results, making it more visible to potential customers.
A website redesign can provide your business with several benefits, making it worth the investment.
The DIY Approach to Redesigning Your Website
When it comes to updating your website, you may think about taking a DIY approach. After all, it can be a great way to save money and retain control of the result. However, it’s essential to be aware of the risks involved in going this route.
First of all, unless you have previous experience with web design, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to create a professional-looking site on your own. This lack of experience could hurt your business more than help.
Additionally, working with a professional web design service ensures that your site is optimized for search engines and mobile devices. If you try to do it yourself, there’s a risk that your site will end up being poorly designed and difficult to use.
While there are benefits to taking a DIY approach, some significant risks are also involved. It’s vital to weigh these carefully before deciding
How Much Does a Website Redesign Cost?
The website redesign cost can vary depending on several factors, including the size and complexity of your site, the features you want to include, and the level of customization you need. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 for a complete website redesign.
How Long Does a Website Redesign Take?
What Should You Include in Your Website Redesign?
When planning a website redesign, there are a few key elements to keep in mind.
Your website’s navigation should be easy to use: Users should be able to find the information they’re looking for quickly and easily.
Your website should be designed using responsive principles: This will ensure that your site looks great on all devices, from desktop computers to smartphones.
Your website should include calls to action: Calls to action (CTAs) encourage users to contact you or learn more about your products or services.
Your website’s content should be well-written and up to date: Outdated or poorly written content can turn users away from your site.
Your website’s design should reflect your brand: Your website’s design should be an extension of your brand. It should represent your company in a professional and positive light.
These are just a few things you should keep in mind when planning a website redesign
How Do You Choose the Right Web Design Company?
When choosing a web design company, it’s crucial to find a company that understands your business and your goals for the redesign. The best web design companies will take the time to learn about your company, your customers, and your competitors before starting work on your project.
Additionally, you’ll want to choose a company with a proven track record of designing successful websites. Be sure to ask for examples of their previous work and take the time to read online reviews from their past clients.
Finally, you should ensure that the company you choose is transparent about its pricing and process. Be sure to get a detailed proposal that outlines the cost of your project and the timeline and deliverables.
What Questions Should You Ask a Potential Web Design Company?
When meeting with potential web design companies, you should ask a few key questions to ensure they’re the right fit for your project.
First, you’ll want to ask about their experience and expertise. Be sure to ask for examples of their previous work and find out if they have any experience designing websites for businesses in your industry.
You’ll also want to ask about their design process. Find out how they go about planning and executing a website redesign and be sure to get a detailed proposal that outlines the cost of your project and the timeline and deliverables.
Finally, you should ask about their customer service and support. Find out what support they offer after the redesign is complete and ask about their policy for making changes to the site after it’s launched.
What Should You Avoid When Planning a Website Redesign?
There are a few things you should avoid when planning a website redesign.
First, you should avoid making radical changes to your website’s design. If your website is currently working well, there’s no need to make major changes.
Second, you should avoid over-complicating your website’s design. Keep your site’s navigation simple and easy to use and resist the temptation to add too many bells and whistles.
Finally, you should avoid waiting too long to redesign your website. If your site is more than a few years old, it’s likely needed a refresh.
How Often Should You Redesign Your Website?
There’s no hard and fast rule for how often you should redesign your website. However, most experts recommend redesigning your site every 2-3 years to keep it looking fresh and up to date.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. If your website is still performing well and you’re happy with its design, there’s no need to redesign it.
On the other hand, if your website is outdated or no longer reflects your brand, it’s probably time to redesign.
Remember, website design and website maintenance are two different things. While you may only redesign your site every year or two, your website maintenance is ongoing
The Content in Your New Website Redesign
As your website’s redesign nears completion, it’s time to start thinking about the content that will populate your new pages.
Good content is essential to success online. It helps search engines understand what your site is about, and it provides visitors with the information they need to make informed decisions about doing business with you.
Great content also helps generate leads by providing readers with a reason to contact you. Here are a few tips to help you create great content for your website:
Start with a plan: Before you start writing, take some time to determine what information you want to include on each website page. What do you want visitors to know about your company? What are the most important selling points of your products or services? What questions do potential customers typically ask? Answering these questions will give you a good starting point for developing page content.
Use compelling headlines: The headline is the first thing visitors will see when they land on your page, so it’s important to make it count. Write headlines that are clear and concise and be sure to include keyword phrases that accurately reflect the content of your page.
Write for your audience: Keep in mind who will be reading your content as you write. Write in a way that is easy to understand and provides the information your target audience is looking for. Avoid using industry jargon or technical terms that everyone might not know.
Use keyword-rich phrases: Include keywords and phrases throughout your content to help improve your site’s search engine optimization (SEO). These are the words and phrases potential customers use to find businesses like yours online.
Make it scannable: People online typically don’t read content like they would read a book. They scan content for relevant information, so make sure your page content is easy to scan. Use headlines, subheadings, and bullet points to break up your text and make it easier to read.
Include calls to action: Always include a call to action on your website pages. A call to action is a statement or question that encourages visitors to take some kind of action, such as contacting you for more information, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
Proofread your content: Once you’ve written your content, take the time to proofread it for spelling and grammar errors. Poorly written content reflects poorly on your business. If you’re not confident in your ability to proofread your own work, consider hiring a professional editor or proofreader.
If you’re not inclined to write or aren’t adept at the skill, you can outsource your website content to a professional copywriter.
Content is king. Be sure to give your new site the attention it deserves by populating it with well-written, keyword-rich content that accurately reflects your business
Conclusion
A website is usually the first impression potential customers have of your business. In today’s competitive market, it’s important to put your best foot forward and make sure that your website is fresh, modern, and clean.
An outdated website can give the impression that your business is out of touch or behind the times. Worse, a poorly designed website can be confusing or tough to use, driving potential customers away before they’ve even had a chance to learn more about your products or services.
Whether you design your own website or hire professional website redesign services, make sure that it’s up-to-date and reflects the high standards of your business. With a little effort, you can ensure that your website is an effective tool for attracting new customers and growing your business.