Almost every business owner has asked themselves one of the most pressing questions. Do I need to redesign my site? This can be a tough call and it is important to decide early. You’re going to have spent money on design and even possibly development. And that can be a big decision.
In this article, we’re going to look at the signs that you need to redesign your website, the cost of web design, and common web design mistakes that businesses make. We’ll also discuss the latest web design trends in the industry.
Let’s start with the top reasons to do a website redesign.
Signs That You Need a Website Redesign
Website redesign is rarely on the minds of business owners, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Yet a website plays a critical role in your business’s marketing strategy, customer acquisition, and overall profitability. Your website is important to lead generation and nurturing.
So how do you know it’s time to redesign and revamp your website? These are the signs that you need a website redesign:
1. Outdated Design
An old-looking website is a good reason to initiate the redesign process. You don’t want your website to look like it was done decades ago. It will hurt your business. A web design done in 2010 won’t resonate with your audience in 2022. Keep your brand updated, and update your website to match. Otherwise, you risk losing brand recognition and quality leads.
Redesign your website to give it a modern look with updated visual elements and navigation. The average lifespan of a website is between 1.5 to 2.5 years. The longer you wait to update it, the more behind your competitors you’ll get.
2. Non-responsive Website
Decades ago, it was so easy for companies to maintain their websites because people mainly accessed the internet on their desktops. But now 19 in every 20 Irish adults own a smartphone. And 61.95 per cent of users access the internet on their mobile phones, compared to just 34.82 per cent on desktops. People want to be able to shop on the move.
Nowadays, consumers will shop online on a desktop, laptop, tablet or many variations of mobile devices. They expect a seamless user experience at all these entry points. A non-responsive website will lose you leads and customers. So if you notice that the user experience isn’t great on mobile devices, it’s time for a redesign.
3. Slow Loading Speeds
A slow-loading website should worry you. The probability of bounce increases by 32 per cent as page load time goes from one second to three seconds.
Slow loading speeds can result from a poor web hosting service or a website that’s not well developed. Other causes of slow loading speeds include:
Unoptimized images
JavaScript issues
Too much flash content
Excessive HTTP requests
Not making use of caching techniques
Unclean codes
Too many display ads
Either way, a slow loading website will not only frustrate your lead generation but also SEO efforts. No matter how interactive your website is, the bounce rate will be massive if it can’t load fully within seconds.
4. Poor Content Structure
Content marketing is an integral component of any digital marketing strategy. Good content can deliver the right message to your target audience and set you apart from your competition. A website that’s optimized for SEO will help with your marketing efforts.
However, your SEO efforts will count for nothing if your content management system (CMS) isn’t SEO-friendly. It’s shocking that in this age there are still some CMSs that make it difficult for their users to optimize their websites for search engines. If you are unable to even implement basic SEO elements such as H1 tags and title tags, you’ll end up with a poor content structure that users find repulsive.
5. Obtrusive Use of Audio/ Video
Video content now makes at least 80 per cent of online content. While video marketing is important, overusing audiovisual content can be counterproductive. Obtrusive use of video and audio can end up being a distraction to your visitors. Many businesses have difficulties finding the perfect balance between video and text on their website.
Ensure your web design doesn’t put too much emphasis on audio/ video content.
6. Bad Navigation
Bad site navigation can hurt your business. Do not underestimate the power of effective web layouts. Your website badly needs a redesign if you have the following:
All the important buttons on your site are hidden among the clutter
Too many items on the menu
Generic menu labels, for example, “our products” instead of “men’s shoes”
Non-standard menu location and style
Drop-down menus
Ignores the principles of primacy and recency and serial position effect
Other signs that you need a redesign service include poor site security, outdated site technology, and minimal scalability and expansion capabilities.
All these will impact your marketing efforts and sales negatively. A negative web design will lead to high bounce rates and low conversion rates. If you are not getting a return on investment from your website, then it’s time for a redesign project.
The Cost of Web Design
Now you know that you need to redesign your website. But how much would a redesign project cost you? Web design costs vary from project to project. It can be as cheap as €100 to as high as tens of thousands of euros. It also depends on whether you’re dismantling the entire website and redesigning it from scratch or just making a few minor changes.
Some of the factors that might influence the cost of a web redesign project include:
The features and functionalities to be incorporated
User interface and experience requirements
Responsiveness to multiple devices
Customization of content management system
Customization of usability and navigation
Content list
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Third-party integrations
It can take an average two to three months to get your new website up and running, depending on the complexity of the project.
Common Web Design Mistakes To Avoid
Sometimes, people end up making things worse while trying to make them better. It’s not uncommon to have a web redesign project go wrong and end up with a worse off website. So if you are undertaking a web redesign project, be cautious to avoid the following mistakes:
- Crowded Web Design: Too much text, images, and ads will confuse your users. Even if they don’t leave your site immediately, they’ll be unlikely to take any action.
- Poor Use of Whitespace: A crowded web design is a problem. So is leaving too much white space on your website. You need to find the perfect balance between your content and white space. You should also watch out for bad web typography.
- No CTA Button: We can all agree that you absolutely need a call-to-action (CTA) button on your website. The CTA guides users on the next course of action to take on your website. So forgetting to include a CTA button on your landing page is a grave mistake.
- Hidden Website Navigation: We’ve already discussed how navigability issues will affect your website. But the only thing worse than poor navigation is an elusive or hidden navigation menu. So ensure your navigation aspects are easy to notice when redesigning your website.
Why You Should Hire a Professional Web Designer
Some businesses prefer to take a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to web redesign projects using web builder software. While these are budget-friendly and easy to use, they offer limited customization options. It’s always best to outsource your web design services if you don’t have an extensive in-house web design team.
Here are a few reasons why you should hire a professional web designer:
Professional and high-quality design
Completely customized website to your brand and marketing needs
Website optimized for SEO, lead generation, and conversion
On-going customer support
Saves time so you can focus on running your business
A better understanding of the latest web design trends and tools
Get Top-Notch Web Design Services
If you are having problems with your web design, we can help you with your web redesign projects. You need a website that’s integrated with user-friendly features and functionalities and responsive to multiple. It’s the only way to offer users the browsing experience they want and increase your conversion rates in addition to other digital marketing goals.
We are ready to help you.
