dream bigger

So you’ve been thinking about your website and wonder if you need to change it somehow, freshen it up, make it work better for your business.

If you’re even asking yourself the question, it’s probably time for a new website or a redesign.

I’ve been creating websites since 1999, so people often ask: “How do if know if I need a new website?” Here’s the short list.

 

1) You don’t have a website.

We say this all the time: If you’re not online, you’re not in business. We’re not talking about a LinkedIn profile or a Facebook page. Having a professional website makes your business legitimate.

 

2) It’s been 2-3 years (or longer) since your website launch or your last redesign.

Because technology is constant changing and because users (your potential customers) demand up-to-date, relevant content and an engaging online experience, most websites need a review every few years. For creative businesses, I recommend redesigning every two years. More than likely, your business direction, focus and/or brand has evolved significantly since your last website design. Your website should convey your business the way it is now, with an eye on the future. Learn more here.

 

3) Your website isn’t mobile-friendly.

As predicted, Google announced in 2015 that more searches were being performed on mobile devices than on desktop computers. Google then stopped ranking websites that aren’t mobile-friendly in search results if the search was done on a mobile device. The good news: It’s easy to create a WordPress website that looks great and functions well on desktops, laptops, tablets and phones.

 

4) The end of your website’s page URLs says .html.

This is a giveaway that your website is built using old technology and is most likely not mobile-friendly. HTML is the code that makes up websites. Back in the day, most websites were built with the design/development team creating page after page of code “by hand” to achieve the look, feel and functionality of a website. Then, an essentially separate website had to be created, again by hand, for mobile screens. That’s why websites were so expensive. Today, we have a number of website platforms to choose from that cut the design/dev time required dramatically, so the cost has come down. All of our websites today are built on WordPress, the most popular, efficient and supported CMS platform available.

 

5) Your current website was built on a DIY service like Wix, Weebly or Web.com.

These services target unsuspecting entrepreneurs, professionals and small businesses with their promises and claims, boasting about how easy it is to build your own website. Unless you’re a design and branding pro, your DIY website is likely to look homemade. It will have limited SEO value. While you’ll own the content, you won’t own the code, so there’s no way to migrate the site if you decide you want  a website that’s actually your own intellectual property. In the long run, you’ll pay much more to “convert” when you realize you want a real, self-hosted, custom website. Read more here.

If you have a website, you know that producing it was a major project. If it was done well, it was worth the investment in terms of brand awareness, credibility in the marketplace and online sales. That doesn’t mean the process is over. The best, most effective websites are constantly evolving – just like your business.

Think about whether your current website meets the criteria for eye-catching, message-driven, user-friendly design demanded in today’s online world.

I invite you to dream bigger about your business and your website.

 

Getting started.

Now’s the time to get started with a redesign so your new site is launched in time for the holidays and new year. Examples of our work are here.

Ready to get started? Schedule a strategy session and we’ll put together a game plan.