Listen up, my people of the page while I tell you something I’ve learned after years of working with local businesses: your website is the backbone of your entire online presence whether you like it or not. When potential customers look you up (and trust me, they all do), your website shapes their entire perception of your business. I’ve watched too many great companies lose customers to competitors simply because their websites screamed “outdated” or “unprofessional.” Here’s a list of the top 5 signs you need a website redesign.
1. Your Website Looks Outdated
One of the most obvious signs of an outdated website is “container design.” You know what I mean – if your content sits in a narrow column in the middle of the page with empty space on either side. Modern websites utilize full-width designs that take advantage of the entire screen, creating an immersive experience for visitors. Today’s designs also incorporate subtle background patterns or textures that flow throughout the entire page, adding depth and visual interest without overwhelming the content.
The telltale signs of an outdated design go beyond layout. Here’s what I see most often:
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Tiny text that’s hard to read on modern high-resolution screens
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Small, pixelated images that are hard to see and look amateur
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Cluttered navigation with too many options
If your site is still sporting color schemes and font choices from the early 2000s, paired with a lack of proper white space, it’s definitely time for an update.
2. Your Site Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
Here’s a quick test I share with all my clients: pull up your website on your smartphone. If you have to pinch and zoom to read text or click buttons, or if your entire website appears as a miniature version of your desktop site, you’re losing customers right now.
Want another easy check? On your desktop computer, grab the edge of your browser window and slowly make it narrower. Does your content adjust smoothly to fit the smaller space? If your website just shrinks to a tiny version of your desktop site, that’s a major red flag.
Other mobile issues I see constantly that are costing you customers:
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Menus that don’t collapse properly on phones
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Contact forms that extend beyond the screen
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Images and text that require pinching and zooming
Remember, more than half of your potential customers are viewing your site on their phones. If they can’t navigate it easily, they’ll move on to your competitor’s site. You can check your site’s mobile-friendliness with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test.
3. Your Website Isn’t Driving Leads
Let’s be honest: your website should be your hardest-working employee, generating leads 24/7. But I often see websites that are more like that employee who shows up late and takes extra-long lunch breaks.
Here are the warning signs your website isn’t performing:
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High bounce rates (visitors leaving quickly)
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Few or no form submissions
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Lack of phone calls from website visitors
Not sure how many visitors you’re getting? Installing Google Site Kit on your WordPress website will show you exactly how many people visit your site and what they do when they get there. It’s a free tool that gives you powerful insights into your website’s performance.
Low engagement with your content is another red flag that your website isn’t connecting with potential customers.
4. Your Website Doesn’t Rank Well on Google
Here’s something most business owners don’t realize until I show them: a website redesign can skyrocket your Google rankings. I’ve seen it happen countless times with our clients. Google loves fresh, updated websites, and launching a redesigned site is like giving Google a clear signal that your content is current and relevant.
Speaking of Google finding your site, there are three essential steps every business owner should take: installing Google Site Kit, setting up RankMath (a powerful SEO plugin), and submitting your sitemap to Google Search Console. These simple steps can dramatically improve your visibility in search results. Check out this detailed guide I wrote on my SEO Coach website on how to help Google find your website for step-by-step instructions.
When we redesign with SEO in mind, we create a solid foundation that search engines love. We focus on:
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Building proper structure from the ground up
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Improving site speed and performance
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Creating engaging content that ranks well
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Enhancing user experience signals that Google values
If you’re not showing up in local searches, guess who’s getting your customers? Your competitors. But we can change that.
5. Your Business Has Outgrown the Current Design
I see this all the time: businesses evolve and grow, but their websites stay frozen in time. Look familiar?
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Your service offerings have expanded, but they’re buried in old navigation
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Your brand has evolved, but old design elements remain
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Your team has grown, but staff photos are outdated
When your website doesn’t match your current business reality, it creates confusion and makes you look disorganized. Growing businesses often add new payment options or scheduling systems that aren’t properly integrated, or open new locations that aren’t featured prominently. If your target market has shifted but your messaging hasn’t caught up, you’re missing opportunities to connect with potential customers.
How Dragonfly Digital Can Help
I’ve helped countless local businesses transform their online presence. Our process includes:
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Deep dive into your business goals and needs
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Custom designs that capture your brand’s personality
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Mobile-first responsive websites that work everywhere
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Proper SEO built in from the ground up
Every site we build includes modern features your customers expect, plus training so you can manage your new website confidently.
Ready to stop losing customers to outdated technology? Schedule a chat with us today, and let’s create a website that brings in customers while you sleep.