Your website is often the first interaction a customer has with your brand and content, and it only takes a mere 50 milliseconds for users to form an opinion regarding whether or not they like it.
Ensuring this “digital facade” reflects the latest standards in design, functionality, and accessibility is absolutely crucial.
There are a few indicators that a website has fallen behind the times. In this guide, we’ll take a look at several key signs that your digital presence might be in need of a digital makeover.
The Fabric of Digital Presence
Your website is more than a collection of pages and links. It’s a complex web woven with the threads of user experience, aesthetics, and loading speed.
A fraying in any of these threads can mean your website is starting to show its age.
1. Aesthetic Outmodedness: The Visual Telltales
Outdated Design Language: Just like in the fashion world, web design trends tend to shift. So, if your website looks like a relic from the Internet Explorer era, it’s time for a redesign.
Non-Responsive Layout: Over 50% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. Nowadays, a site that doesn’t adapt to varying screen sizes is as good as a closed door.
2. Functional Fossils: When Your Features Belong in a Museum
Load Times lagging: The currency of the digital age is speed. If your website takes too long to load, especially if it loads slower than a competitor, it’s time for a technical tune-up.
Broken Elements: Links that go nowhere, pages that load with a 404 error, and outdated plugins leave users really frustrated and reflect poorly on your brand.
3. Navigational Nightmares: The Labyrinthine Layouts
Complex Navigation: If a user needs a notepad to remember where they are on your site, they’re likely to abandon ship. Intuitive and clear navigation is crucial.
Content Conundrums: We all know content is king, but when it’s outdated and irrelevant or hard to find, it can dethrone your site’s appeal.
The Cornerstone of Inclusivity
Website accessibility is about open doors and open paths. A modern site should ensure that everyone, including the 1.3 billion people around the world with disabilities, can appreciate your site without barriers.
If your website is missing these accessibility features, it might be considered behind the times:
Adaptive Components: Features like text-to-speech, keyboard navigation, and alt text for images are now considered essential for any modern website.
Compliance and Compassion: Following the guidelines set by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is like extending your digital hand to every single visitor.
The Subtle Science of User Experience
User Experience, or “UX,” is the heartbeat of web design, and the pulse of your website is its usability. A site that’s a joy to use is one that invites many return visits.
If your website is guilty of having any of these issues, it’s potentially in dinosaur territory:
Feedback Loops: Do your forms have users feeling like their messages have gone to the void? Interactive forms should have clear and immediate feedback.
No Content Updates: Regular updates signal to your users that you’re fully committed to providing a contemporary and secure experience.
Don’t Miss the Technological Tide
Technology marches on relentlessly; if your website is missing a few of these modern components, then it might need a splash of innovation:
SEO Strategy: Search Engine Optimisation, or “SEO” goes beyond just keywords. It understands and caters to user search intent. Without it, your site isn’t ranking as well as it could on search engines. That’s a lot of missed traffic.
Social Media Symbiosis: Your site should integrate seamlessly with social media platforms. It allows for easy sharing and engagement from its users.
Refresh, Renew, Reimagine
The call to action is clear. Audit your website for these telltale signs of aging, and embark on the exciting journey of a redesign.
For a website that mirrors your brand’s potential, partner with Begin with B. With comprehensive web services tailored to fit your budget, from design to development and SEO to marketing and accessibility, we stand ready to elevate your online presence—not just in Calgary but globally.
With a keen eye for design, an inclusive approach, and a sense of savviness, your website can be transformed into a digital destination that reflects all your brand has to offer.
Contact Begin with B today, and let’s get started!