marketingIt is the easiest thing in the world–to just let your website be. Update it once in awhile, run analytics regularly, converse with your followers–how simple is it to not touch a thing, right? Unfortunately, we live in an age where trends can disappear in a week and fashion fads continue to evolve with a snap of our fingers.

It’s a scary online world out there, more so if your website has fallen off the radar of your usual followers. When that happens, maybe it’s time to call for your Lakeland web design team, BrightSky Web Design, and have a website makeover.

But how does one know it’s time to let go of the old and embrace the new? There was a time when websites could last for 5 years, and it would still be relevant. That has changed. Websites shouldn’t be older than three years old, and they should be updated at least every year.

There’s a reason web design is one of the fastest-growing jobs out there. The need for these creative minds has skyrocketed in the past decade.

Here are five signs your website needs a do over:

1. It’s not mobile friendly

Unless you’re living under a rock, you should know that the world has turned mobile. More than 50 percent of online searches happen on mobile phones and according to a study by Econsultancy, 62 percent of companies that designed a website with mobile functionality saw a spike in visitors and sales.

In the United States, 25 percent of Internet users only access the web through their mobile phones. So, if your website is not smartphone-compatible, you better hurry up and book your Lakeland web design for a re-optimization.

User experiences is the key to a successful website. If you can’t keep up with the changing times, you’re only going to lose your market.

2. It’s still using Flash

If your website is still using Flash, then you’re in a rut, my friend. Flash has been outdated for the last seven years, so iPhones, iPads and other smartphones do not support it anymore. Search engines like Google and Yahoo can’t even read Flash anymore, which means it cannot be used for search engine optimization.

Now, developers have been using HTML5 to create animated and interactive features. This does not require website visitors to install plugins since HTML5 is basically compatible with all browsers and smartphones.

3. It’s return visitors have fallen off

Sure, new visitors are always a welcome site for a website. But if there’s one other statistics you should look at, it’s your return visitors. If the number of return visitors to your site has declined, then there must be something wrong with your site.

You need to determine what your website needs–more engaging blog posts, a new background, a change of colors, an updated overall design, etc. Whatever it is, your goal should be to attract as many new visitors as you can, and to have them return to your site.

4. It’s slow

Websites should load in about 2-3 seconds. That’s the average amount of time 47 percent of consumers expect a web page to open. If your website is slower than that, you have to look at the facts–are there too many images? Don’t you have enough browser caching?

Having a slow website will only annoy any potential customers. If that’s the case, it’s time to re-design your website. Fast-loading websites ensure customer satisfaction, which is what you should always be aiming for.

5. It no longer caters to your business’ message

If in the past year you have changed your brand positioning or message, then it’s also time to re-design your website, no matter how updated it is tech-wise.

Your website is one of your brand’s most important assets since it’s the hub of your online presence. Customers create their first impression of your business when they check out your website, so it’s vital that your brand and your website reflect the same message and positioning.

Lastly, if you find that your website does not appeal to you personally, you’re unexcited about posting fresh content, and you’re embarrassed to share the URL, then gut feel tells you it’s time to have it redesigned.

Contact the fine people at BrightSky Web Design and setup a call to discuss your Lakeland WEb Design needs and goals.