When my sister and I were preparing to move out of our college house, we found that we had little time and patience to pack things up that we had accumulated over the past four years. As we went through our things, my sister was quick to throw out or donate anything we had not used or that we wouldn’t use in the future. We needed to ensure that what we had was stuff we would use and that we didn’t keep things that weren’t reflective of our style, our needs, and more. This is typical of my family: We can’t help but want to keep things working in great condition and keep up appearances. I can’t help but feel that redesigning a website is similar to the way my family regularly cleans out. You should be evaluating your website’s aesthetics, content, and functionality at regular intervals, and when these things no longer align with your business, it is time to redesign!
A website redesign can help ensure that you stay up-to-date with technology. In the fast and ever-changing world of technology, something that worked or was brand new a few years ago may now be slow, outdated, and offer a poor user experience. If someone comes to your website and finds that it no longer meets the needs or expectations they hold or is incompatible with newer technology, they are fairly unlikely to return to your site in the future. Because technology changes so fast, it is important to stay ahead of the game rather than waiting for something to crash and burn.
Another reason you should consider a website redesign is if your customers (your target audience) change. As your business is growing, the world around you is as well. Your customers may frequently be changing. New groups are moving in and out (such as college students) or your customer base is moving with you, and you must evolve your offering to continue to serve them. Businesses are also changing frequently, and it is important to consider what your business is doing. Are you selling the same things or marketing the same way you were a few years ago? Your website needs to be reflective of your business.
Your Web Pro recommends considering a redesign about every 18 months. As your business grows, we want your website to grow with it! Contact us today to learn more about website redesigns.