Frequently updating your website’s copy and imagery is a smart move. But at some point, your site needs go beyond mere updates and instead warrant a full redesign.
So how do you know when you’ve reached that point?
We asked three of the biggest brains here at CI Design to compile a small checklist of the most critical reasons to redesign any website. Check out what Charlie (Director of Development Services), Colleen (Senior Digital Strategist), and Neil (Senior UX Designer / ACD) had to say, and use it to determine whether or not your site needs a rebuild.
1. Is your site mobile friendly?
According to the folks at SmartInsights, 70% of America’s total digital minutes happen on mobile. That means that, in 2020, “optimized for mobile” is not optional. How can you know if your website meets this new standard? Use this handy online tool to find out.
If your site is not mobile friendly, you need a new website.
2. Is your site user friendly?
This seems like an obvious one, but you’d be amazed how many companies have websites that provide their customers with more problems than solutions. Your website should make it as easy as possible for your customers to accomplish their goals. At CI Design, we use User Experience (UX) tools like heat mapping, user testing, and A/B testing to determine how user friendly your site is in order to improve the overall experience in redesign. Remember: the better your customers’ online experience, the more likely they are to convert.
If your site is not user friendly, you need a new website.
3. Does your website load quickly?
Take it from Google: Users are fickle, and won't wait around for your page to load. In fact, 53% of people will leave your website if it takes longer than three seconds for a page to load. Especially on mobile. Use this free online tool to find out how fast your site is loading and where the bottlenecks are.
If your site does not load quickly, you need a new website.
4. Is your site accessible?
Meaning: Can people with disabilities access your content? Disabilities include: visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, language, learning, and neurological disabilities. For a deeper dive on the subject, Vox does a really good job explaining why this is important for you and your business.
If your site is not accessible, you need a new website.
5. Is your website structured for SEO?
Beyond just providing a great user experience, site structure can have a profound impact on your search rankings. Neil Patel wrote a great blog about how a site structured for SEO can increase user happiness, reduce bounce rate, provide sitelinks, allow for better crawling, and other things key to SEO success.
If your site is not structured for SEO, you need a new website.
6. Is your site built with a sustainable and supported architecture?
Sites built with older technologies could be a major security risk, as they don’t come with the same wide range of support that modern technologies do. A great example of this is Kentico’s recent news that they’ll be exclusively MVC after this most recent version, meaning you essentially have two years before your site loses valuable support.
If your site is not built with a sustainable and supported architecture, you need a new website.
7. Along those same lines, is your website equipped to evolve with you?
You could almost make this Question 1-A. Your site structure and CMS should be able to keep up with your ever-evolving brand and customer expectations. A well-designed responsive website with a good CMS is better equipped to handle new content and evolving branding, keeping your company’s website more relevant for longer.
If your site is not equipped to evolve with you, you need a new website.
8. Are you a good steward of your site visitor's data?
Privacy laws like GDPR in Europe and CCPA in California show a trend towards empowering users to control who and what personal information is shared. Make sure your website is compliant with these new privacy laws and regulations. And Marketers—make sure you’re joining Legal and IT in the conversation. Privacy laws aren’t an obstacle. With a little strategy and some smart content, they become a huge opportunity.
If your site does not allow you to be a good steward of your visitors site data, you need a new website.
Not sure what to do next? We can help. Email brent@cidesigninc.com to begin your no-cost website audit and find out what kind of redesign you need.
