A website does not fail all at once. It slips. Slowly it looks dated, performs worse on phones, and brings in fewer enquiries, until one day it is holding the business back. Here are seven clear signs your website needs a redesign, so you can act before it costs you customers.
How do you know your website needs a redesign?
The clearest signs are practical, not cosmetic: it looks dated next to competitors, it is hard to use on a phone, it loads slowly, it brings in few enquiries, it is awkward to update, and it no longer reflects what you do. If several ring true, a redesign is overdue.
The 7 signs
- It looks dated compared with your competitors.
- It is poor on mobile, where most of your visitors are.
- It loads slowly, costing you visitors and rankings.
- It brings in few enquiries, with no clear path to act.
- It is hard to update or you cannot edit it yourself.
- It no longer fits your services, brand or prices.
- It is not secure or is built on ageing technology.
Why these signs matter
Each one quietly costs you. A dated, slow or mobile-unfriendly site turns visitors away before they enquire, and an aged build is harder to keep secure. Left alone, the gap between your site and your competitors widens, which is why spotting the signs early is worth it.
Redesign or rebuild?
Sometimes a refresh is enough, and sometimes the foundations need replacing. Which one you need depends on how the site is built and what is wrong with it. We walk through the options, timing and cost in our website redesign guide, which picks up where this list ends.
What does a redesign involve?
Done well, a redesign fixes speed, mobile, SEO and the path to enquiry at the same time as it refreshes the look. That is the difference between a fresh coat of paint and a site that actually performs, which is the heart of good web design.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a website be redesigned?
Roughly every three to five years for most businesses, though it depends more on performance than age. If your site still looks current, works well on mobile and brings in enquiries, it may not need one yet. The signs matter more than the calendar.
Is a redesign worth the cost?
If the current site is losing you enquiries, yes, the redesign usually pays for itself in the business it wins back. If the site is merely a little dated but still performing, you may have time to plan rather than rush.
Can I redesign without losing my Google rankings?
Yes, with care. A redesign handled properly preserves your URLs, content and SEO, or improves them. Done carelessly it can cost rankings, which is why the process matters. See how we approach it.
Recognise a few of these signs? We redesign business websites to bring in enquiries as well as look good. Get a free quote.