Outdated Website Design? Signs It's Time For An Update

Think about your favorite websites. There's a reason you return. They make browsing easy, information readily accessible, and buying or engaging simple. An outdated website might have clunky navigation or slow loading times. An outdated website won't inspire trust, encourage people to buy your products, or sign up for your email list. In today’s fast-paced online world, if your site isn’t up to speed, you're losing potential customers. 
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What Makes A Website Outdated?

Websites, like fashion, change and evolve constantly. With all the changes in web design, how do you know if you have an outdated site? Let’s dive into some key warning signs. 

Non-Responsive Design 

An outdated website that doesn’t automatically resize for various devices can frustrate mobile users, making navigation and purchases difficult. With over half of web traffic coming from smartphones, a non-responsive design potentially alienates a significant portion of your audience. It’s essential for a modern website to adapt seamlessly to all screen sizes to ensure a smooth user experience. 

Accessibility Issues 

Is your website accessible to all, including those using screen readers, or individuals with color-blindness? Can it be navigated using a keyboard alone? Accessibility is not just a legal obligation but a mark of inclusivity and respect for all users. A website that everyone can use reflects positively on your business, while a lack of accessibility can prevent some visitors from accessing your site’s content. 

Slow Page Loading Speeds 

In an era where speed is everything, slow-loading websites are a setback. High-quality images and optimized design are crucial for faster loading, particularly on mobile connections. A mere 5-second delay can skyrocket a site’s bounce rate by 90%. Moreover, slow sites are ranked lower by search engines like Google, which prioritize user experience. Quick load times are essential for keeping users engaged and improving your site’s visibility. 

Outdated Technology 

Outdated technology on websites isn’t just a visual issue; it can lead to functional problems. Websites built with old code or unsupported software, like Flash, struggle on modern browsers. Users expect fast load times; in fact, 47% won’t wait more than two seconds for a page to load. Using such outdated tech can slow down your site, make it vulnerable to security threats, and increase the risk of crashes. 

Cluttered, Confusing Home Page Layout 

A cluttered homepage can overwhelm visitors with too much information or irrelevant visuals, making navigation difficult. It’s essential for a homepage to be clear and intuitive, guiding visitors effortlessly to their desired content. Excessive large images can also slow down your site, prompting visitors with slower connections to leave. First impressions matter, and a well-organized homepage is key to retaining interest. 

Hidden Navigation, Lack of Breadcrumbs, Too Many Menu Options 

Ever found yourself lost in an ecommerce site, unable to backtrack? The absence of breadcrumbs or clear navigation can leave users disoriented. It’s crucial for a website to have straightforward navigation to ensure users can easily return to broader categories from any page. Confusing navigation often leads to visitors abandoning the site in favor of one with a more user-friendly design. 

Old or Irrelevant Stock Images 

Professional, modern photography that relates to your brand or products and captures a specific emotion adds a layer of sophistication. It instantly elevates your design. An abundance of stock images of models pointing to a laptop, looking enthusiastic about a cup of coffee, shaking hands, giving thumbs up, or any other unrelated photo looks dated. Pictures that don’t specifically relate to your offerings dilute your branding and make it hard for your company to stand out.  

Lack of Consistent Branding 

Consistent branding is the backbone of a user-centric brand identity. It includes distinctive fonts, a unique color palette, cohesive photography, logos, and graphics that collectively convey a clear and compelling message. A well-branded website reassures visitors of its authenticity and professionalism. It should reflect your company’s values and mission, creating a memorable experience that encourages customer loyalty. Inconsistencies in branding can confuse visitors and dilute the impact of your messaging, making it less likely for them to engage with your content or recognize your brand in the future.  

Not Secure (HTTPS) 

SSL Certificates, once optional except for critical sites, are now vital due to privacy concerns and incidents like the 2017 Equifax breach. Modern browsers flag non-HTTPS sites as ‘not secure,’ deterring users. Today, HTTPS is crucial for maintaining user trust and a professional web presence. Without it, visitors may quickly leave your site in search of a secure one. 

Missing or Incorrect Meta Information 

Meta information might seem technical, behind-the-scenes, or unimportant to users who come to your pages, but meta tags determine those quick descriptions of your content that people read on the search results page (or SERP) to find your site. These crucial bits of text entice visitors to click through and give search engines vital insights to index your pages correctly. 

What Happens When You Don't Have An Outdated Website

We've reviewed the technical problems associated with an outdated web presence. Now let's see how it impacts the all-important business goal: converting those visitors into leads. Envision your website as the virtual storefront or entryway into what your company does, who you are, and what makes it special. First impressions count. 

Low Rankings in Search Engines 

Even with great content and search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, outdated technical design can hinder your website’s performance in search engine rankings. Fast-loading, mobile-friendly, and error-free sites are favored by search engines like Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo. Neglecting these aspects, especially security, can lead to lower visibility and decreased SEO effectiveness. 

Bad First Impression 

An outdated website can give the impression of inactivity or unreliability. First impressions matter, and visitors quickly judge a site. If a company’s purpose isn’t clear or the branding is inconsistent, potential customers are likely to seek alternatives. 

Decreased Engagement 

Visitors often judge a website by its design, affecting their engagement. Stanford research indicates that nearly 80% of people are influenced to engage with a site based on its design. Outdated or disorganized content, like old promotions, can drive users to more current, competitor sites. 

Lower Conversions 

Digital marketing efforts culminate in website conversions, where well-placed calls-to-action (CTAs) guide users to make purchases. A professional design is crucial—it fosters trust and legitimacy, prompting visitors to engage with “Contact Us” forms or add products to their carts. 

What To Do With Your Outdated Website 

Let’s look at the top three issues you need to address when it’s time to modernize or rebuild your website.  

Optimize For Page Speed 

Quick load times are crucial as visitors decide in seconds whether to engage with a site. High bounce rates can often be attributed to large images, complex animations, or excessive backend code. In fact, 40% of people may leave a site if images take too long to load. To enhance page speed, optimize image formats and sizes, switch to compressed web formats, select a fast hosting service, and use code minification tools for platforms like WordPress. 

Update to a Modern CMS 

A modern content management system (CMS) is transformative for both your website and operational efficiency. It offers an appealing interface, user-friendly navigation, and streamlined content management capabilities. Additionally, contemporary CMS platforms prioritize security, offering strong defenses against cyber threats to safeguard your website and user information. 

Re-Design and Refresh 

Even a well-designed website needs an update or refresh from time to time because the way people engage with content online constantly evolves. Maybe it’s a small update to a menu. Or it could mean adding features like new categories, incorporating videos or infographics, optimizing for e-commerce, integrating user feedback, streamlining workflows in your forms. 

Why Hiring a Website Development Company Works Best

Navigating web development trends and ensuring code compliance for a top-tier website design can be daunting. Using a specialized web redesign and development company can yield a site that’s not only aesthetically pleasing and functional but also strategically aligned with your business goals. A well-designed website conveys your company’s vision and credibility, while an outdated interface suggests a lack of modernity. 

A successful website combines timeless elements: simplicity, clarity, relevance, and mobile compatibility, all conveying to visitors that they are valued. An outdated site can undermine even the most innovative services or products. A fresh website builds trust, boosts SEO, and fosters engagement, offering long-term benefits beyond its launch. 

VGM Forbin: Your Web Development Partner

In the fast-paced world of web standards, VGM Forbin offers over 20 years of expertise in crafting custom, visually appealing websites that prioritize performance and user experience. Their services guarantee an accessible, swift, and secure website, adhering to industry best practices. Choosing VGM Forbin means selecting a partner committed to enhancing your digital footprint and achieving real business outcomes. 

Ready to transform your online presence? Connect with the experts at VGM Forbin and let’s craft a website that not only meets today’s standards but sets you apart for tomorrow. Don’t wait—elevate your digital experience now!