It’s been a few years since your last website design, and you’re wondering if it’s time to do an upgrade or even start from scratch. A customized site is an investment, but leaving an outdated or malfunctioning site alone is a risk that is hard to measure except in a reactionary model.
When you’re not sure, it’s helpful to have a way to measure in concrete terms. Evaluate your site according to this report card and see if your site exceeds expectations, is satisfactory or needs improvement.
Layout: Imagine walking into a grocery store where the aisles are too narrow for your cart, the produce is mixed in with the meat, while pantry staples are scattered throughout. You would get frustrated so fast that you would probably walk back out the door.
This is what’s at risk when your website design features a poor layout. Whether it’s disorganized or simply doesn’t reflect the browsing behaviors of your visitors, it’s time to examine it.
Mobile Optimization: No, we can’t believe we’re still having this conversation, either. If you aren’t optimizing your site for all devices and all screen sizes, it’s time. Mobile Internet use surpassed desktop years ago, so…enough said.
Slow Loading: Patience has never been a strong human quality and experts say it’s eroding even further with the instant gratification of modern times. If your site takes more than 2.5 seconds to load, you’re in the slower half of the Internet. This is a great reason to pursue a website design update.
Accessibility: The World Health Organization estimates that 16% of the global population has some type of disability. If your site doesn’t have image alt text, captions and accessible design, you’re not allowing your site to be accessed by all users.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization): This one fits neatly with accessibility, because their best practices overlap. This is not only because search engine algorithms favor sites with accessibility, but because improving usability is good for everyone.
CTA (Call to Action): Invite a friend to take a tour of your site. Ask them what they believe they are supposed to do next as they browse each page. This is a critical step when visitors are on your site, because it helps them move from simply browsing to making a purchase decision.
Readability: Your tag lines are catchy. Your content, informative. Even your product descriptions have been carefully edited. But if you don’t choose fonts, white space and images for readability, they’re not doing you any favors.
Branding: Are you the same company you were the last time your website design was updated? If so, does your website communicate your messaging in a consistent, accurate way? Solid branding is one of the most nuanced areas of website design, but when you get it right, your website will capture your company perfectly.
So, how did your website design fare according to our report card standards? Are you on the honor roll or flirting with expulsion?
Don’t waste another day wondering if your website is due for a design update. At SJC Marketing, we can walk through your site with you and help you assess it. And when it’s time for a new website design, contact us to get started.