How often should a website be updated?
Companies rebuild their websites every three years on average. This is an often reported statistic in web design circles, although the source for this information is challenging to locate.
If you search Google for "how long should a firm wait before rebuilding their website," you'll get a range of perspectives. According to one site, "anecdotal evidence suggests site makeover every two to three years." "Most organizations remodel every 6 months to 2 years," another observes. Another site cites a poll that revealed: "a substantial percentage of marketers (68%) believe that a website should be revamped every 1-3 years."
So, when is it time to redesign your website? How often should a company website be redesigned?
The solution is simple: when your website fails, revamp it.
How to Determine Whether a Website Is Bad
A website is bad if:
Lead Gen is Sub-Par
Suppose your website isn't generating leads and new business at the rate it should. Every firm should be obtaining substantial business outcomes from their web presence in this day and age. If you are not, you are passing on sales that could have been yours.
It Looks Unprofessional, Poorly Designed, or Downright Ugly
If you ever look at your website and say to yourself, "Man, I look like a loser," then you need a new website. Websites should look professional and well-designed. They should be easy for visitors to navigate and for your staff to update. They should make you look like the professional that you are.
It's Slow to Load
If your website takes more than a couple of seconds to load, it sucks. If you open your laptop in a hotel room and wait 15 minutes for the WiFi to connect, it sucks. If your restaurant patrons leave the site because they're tired of watching a spinning cursor, it sucks.
Visitors Don't Share It
If no one shares your website on social media, it sucks. A site that no one shares is a site that no one visits. Once you know that your website sucks, it's time to redesign it.
Your Site's No Good For Mobile
If your website is not mobile-friendly, it is time for an upgrade. People are visiting websites on their mobile devices in greater numbers than ever before, and you want to ensure that you can reach your clients where they are - on their mobile phones! Furthermore, Google is indexing mobile versions of sites first, so make sure you're putting your best mobile foot forward to guarantee your site receives the most significant Google rankings possible.
Conclusion
If your site sucks (i.e., it's bad), then turn your attention to redesigning. Think through the usability of your existing site. Is it slow to load? Does it look outdated? Are the navigation and graphics hard to use? Ask your staff to give you feedback on your site. Do your staff have trouble navigating it? Is it hard for them to find the information they need? If so, it's time to redesign it.
LionRank offers a solution that helps even beginners a way to effectively optimize their website to make the most out of it. If you are trying to create success online, reach out to us today!