Six Signs It's Time to Upgrade Your Website
So you’ve been putting off getting a website live for the world to see for what feels like forever, but the task seems so daunting and overwhelming you just don’t know where to start!
1. You cannot edit and update your content
Do you know how to login to your current website? Do you know how to update content and images on your site? Don't let your website get stale, keeping your audience informed and updated is not only good business, it's good for SEO. Google loves frequent updates, not to mention that new content = new keywords which is better for SEO. The power to manage your website should be in your hands and once it is, it's just good business to be updating your site with new content daily. If you don't know how to edit your current website, it's time for an upgrade.
2. Your website does not link to your Social Media
Social media and websites should work together to spread your message and foster relationships with a larger customer audience. Social media can give your users a more personal brand experience (and hopefully you are already utilizing these powerful tools to grow your brand!). Part of strategizing new websites, we will work to integrate social media where it makes sense on your website to make the most effective use of your time and communications to customers. If your website does not link to your social media, it's time for an upgrade.
3. Your website is not user friendly
Take a look at your current website (or a website that you really like). Do links and buttons appear clickable? Can you read the text on the page? Does the website flow logically? Is it very, very clear where important information can be found or how your customer can reach you? If not, your website has not been designed for usability. When asked about the most important factor in a website, over 75% of respondents in a HubSpot.com study stated they rank ease of finding the information at the top. If your website is too complicated to navigate, the content too difficult to comprehend, or design functionality too slow and confusing, you will lose business. If your website is not user friendly, it's time for an upgrade.
4. Your website loads slowly
You have five seconds to capture the attention of your audience and make an impact. Yup, five. Five seconds for your website to load, for your message to be read, for it to be clear what you are selling or offering and three seconds before that website visitor decides whether or not they want to stay on your website or quickly leave it. If your website doesn't load in these five seconds, you're in big trouble. Optimizing your images for web and ensuring that your website loads quickly is a big deal. If your website loads slowly, it's time for an upgrade.
5. Your website is not mobile friendly
Does your website break on mobile devices? Does it even load on phones and tablets? In 2015, a Google study revealed that "more Google searches take place on mobile devices than on computers in 10 countries including the US and Japan." With more visitors looking for your site on their phones, a mobile friendly website is more important than ever. Every Squarespace template is 100% mobile friendly - which means that it will adapt to all screen sizes whether it's an iPhone, iPad, Android phone, or a desktop of any size. If your website is not mobile friendly, it's time for an upgrade.
6. Your website has not been updated in more than 3 years
Your business is changing and growing every day. Everything from a new address to new team members or even new pricing needs to be accurate and up-to-date on your website. Out of date information looks unprofessional and breaks trust with your user. Your business could be negatively impacted when potential customer visits your website and leaves thinking "this information is probably wrong, maybe I need to take my business elsewhere." If it has been more than three years since you've updated your website, you definitely need an upgrade.