Most small business owners know when their website begins to look dated. You may be cringing right now because you are one of those people. Don’t worry! We’ve all been through that – I’ve had several iterations of my website.
The important thing is to recognize when your website begins to look a little stale. I’ll share 7 sure-fire signs today. Then, once you’ve identified the issue, take steps to bring your website into the current year. And I’ll explain the easiest way to do that too!
The Costs of an Outdated Website
Your website is often the first impression people have of your business. It’s important that it stays fresh, relevant, and current.
A professional, up-to-date website builds trust and helps potential customers feel confident about working with you. In contrast, an outdated website will repel clients and cost you business.
7 Signs Your Website is Outdated
1) Your Website Looks Like It Was Built 15-20 Years Ago
Styles change over time. What was once a professional style may now look dated. If your website has outdated fonts, busy backgrounds, tiny text, or a cluttered layout, visitors may assume it reflects how you run your business.
A modern website doesn’t have to be flashy. It should be clean, organized, and easy to read. Don’t make people think too hard or hunt for the information they need.
Here is an example of a VERY outdated website!
2) Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
How does your website look on your phone? Is it mobile-responsive? If you have to pinch and zoom, scroll from side to side, or struggle to click tiny buttons and links, your website isn’t providing a good mobile experience.
Most people expect a website to work well on their phones and tablets. Your website should automatically adjust to different screen sizes so visitors can easily read your content, view your images, and navigate your pages.
One of my favorite tools for checking mobile responsiveness is Website Planet.
3) Your Information Is Outdated
Do your blog posts still have dates from several years ago? Is your copyright updated to the current year? Are you still featuring events that have already happened?
Nothing makes a website feel neglected faster than old information. These small details can make visitors wonder whether you’re still in business or whether the information on your website is trustworthy.
4) Your Photos Are Missing, Blurry, or Look Old
It’s important to add high-quality images to your website. They help tell the story of your business. Blurry images, low-quality graphics, or photos taken many years ago can make your website feel neglected.
Visitors want to see the real people behind your business – who you serve and how you do it. Current, clear photos build trust and create a much stronger first impression. I love it when I visit a website and see a fresh, updated headshot – it shows me that the owner is still investing in their business and serving clients well.
5) Your Website Is Slow
Have you ever clicked on a website and left because it took too long to load? Your visitors will do the same thing if your website is slow. A slow website can frustrate potential customers before they even see what you have to offer. It can also affect how well your website performs in search engine results.
There are several reasons why your site may run slowly. You may have large, unoptimized images or too many plugins. Or, your hosting could be bad. All of these things are fixable!
One way to speed up your site is with a Content Delivery Network (CDN), like Cloudflare.
6) You Have Broken Links
Broken links on your website can frustrate and discourage visitors from sticking around. When someone clicks a button or menu item and lands on a “Page Not Found” message, it makes your website look neglected and unprofessional. Broken links can happen over time as pages are deleted, moved, or renamed. Be sure to find broken links and fix them regularly.
7) Your Website No Longer Reflects Your Business or Who You Are
Your business will change over time. I know mine certainly has in the last 20 years.
Have you recently added new services, changed your niche, updated your branding, or started working with a different type of client? If your website still describes the business you had several years ago instead of the one you have today, it’s time for an update.
Your website should clearly communicate who you are, what you do, and how you help your customers right now.
What to Do About These Things
If you recognized your website in one or more of these signs, don’t worry. You don’t need to start from scratch or hire an expensive web designer. Many of the updates your website needs are things you can learn to do yourself.
In the Website Creation Workshop, I teach you how to create a professional WordPress website that looks great on both computers and mobile devices. You’ll learn how to choose a clean, professional design, organize your navigation, create pages that clearly communicate what you offer, use high-quality images, keep your content up to date, fix common website problems, and make sure your website accurately reflects your business.
Final Thoughts…
The goal of your website isn’t just to look great. Your website should attract potential clients and encourage them to take the next step – whether that’s leaving their email address or buying your services.
If your current website feels old, outdated, or doesn’t represent the business you have today, I’d love to help you turn it into a beautiful, professional, modern website that attracts the clients you want to work with.
Click here to find out about the next WordPress training: https://websitecreationclass.com/
