Five signs it’s time to update your website

We know not to judge a book by its cover—but let’s face it, that’s exactly what many of us do when we browse a website. A website that’s polished and easy to navigate is likely to keep us around. One that’s vague and unattractive is likely to lose us, fast.

“We tend to look at a website as a representation of a business’s capabilities and their quality of service,” says Katy Jonker, Owner of Kosmic Creative and one of Luminate’s web design partners. “Naturally, people associate our digital home with  who we are as a business. If it looks aged, or like there hasn’t been care and attention put into it, we may feel that we’ll get that same lack of care and attention if we choose to work with the individuals behind the site.”

Here at Luminate, we write a lot of websites for small business owners—focusing on really understanding their content needs and how they want to speak to their audience before writing copy for each page. What we don’t do is design websites. We leave that to our web design partners, like Kosmic Creative. 

How do you know your website needs updating? We asked Katy for her advice:

1) It’s not mobile friendly

These days, very few websites are viewed on desktops; they’re viewed on phones and tablets. A website that’s not mobile friendly usually leads to a poor user experience. And when clients have a poor experience, they’re more likely to go in search of a competitor. If your website was last built before the digital shift to phones and tablets, then it’s time for an upgrade.

2) Too many menu items

Once upon a time, trendy websites had busy menus with an overwhelming amount of information. Today’s trend is a cleaner, sleeker look, with menus organized under well-defined sections and drop-downs for a greater user experience. 

3) Blurry or pixelated graphics

Digital photos and graphics have come a long way in the last 10 years. Today’s images are crisper and clearer than ever before. Grainy photos are a sure sign that a website hasn’t been updated since the last leap in image technology. 

4) Outdated copyright

Many websites include a small copyright at the bottom of the page. However, if it isn’t dynamic (meaning it updates with the calendar change), it’s a clear giveaway as to when the website was last updated.

5) Old or wrong information

Businesses change over time. It’s natural for products or services to be added or taken away, and new staff to come on board or leave for other ventures. A website that hasn’t been reviewed in a while may be referencing old information. When is the last time you actually read the copy on your website? If the information doesn’t reflect who you are and what you do, it’s time for an update. 

In general, you’ll want to update your website every three to five years, says Katy. Content should be reviewed at least yearly to make sure it’s up-to-date, and blog posts should be written regularly to keep things fresh and current. 

“After five years, things change,” says Katy. “Industries change, the elements of what’s required on a website change, and having a website that doesn’t put your best foot forward is like shooting yourself in the foot.” 

Katy Jonker is the Owner of Kosmic Creative, a web and graphic design company that makes business owners shine.