It’s no secret that websites are very important, so don’t make the mistake of not having a clear and professional online presence. Perhaps you have said phrases like, “I don’t need a new website,” or “My website is fine even though it’s old,” or even, “I don’t have the money or time.” Whether you are so busy that you don’t have the time to build a website or because you have all the work you can handle, this position isn’t one that is built to last. If your business is truly jamming, that likely means you’re making good money, which means there’s no better time to get a website built. Remember, your website is likely your customer’s first impression of you and will ultimately instill more confidence or help you sell your product or services more effectively. 

Below I share with you the five ways to tell it’s time to get a new website. You may see this list and say, “Yikes! I know someone else’s website that could use an update.” It’s easy to see that in other brands because you’re the audience. Now is the time for you to take a hard look in the mirror and give your business the opportunity to grow. 

1. The Absence of a SSL Certificate

The SSL certificate is a secure sockets layer and to put it simply, this allows for secure connections from a web server to a browser, among many other benefits. In Europe, it’s actually against the law and could be very soon in America. 

For now it significantly decreases your good standing with search engines, therefore affecting your search results. How do you tell if a site is secure? Look at the URL in the upper left-hand corner. There should be a little padlock icon and right next to that it will say HTTPS://. When a site is not secure, you’ll see HTTP:// and no padlock next to the URL. You can read more about SSL’s here. When you see a website that doesn’t have a SSL certificate, they aren’t helping you stay protected while using their site. Is your website secure? If not, that’s a big problem. 

2. The Copyright Info is Out of Date

Most copyright information lives in the footer or the very bottom of your website. I saw one this week that said 2008! Either this company is very busy and not paying attention, or they don’t have a grasp on their website if they spent over 11 years operating a business without updating their site once! Not to mention, the website was broken in some areas. This doesn’t have to happen to you!

It’s actually pretty easy to keep that copyright info updated by working with a web management or maintenance company. This is a sure sign that your web company is taking your money and not doing the work they promised. Reach out to us or view the management packages we offer to ensure consistent maintenance. No matter who you choose, you want to make sure that you work with a company who keeps your website secure, updated and relevant over time. 

3. There’s No Backend Development Access

You should be empowered to make changes on your website as needed, and if you don’t have access to the backend, that’s going to make it difficult for you. Perhaps your hours of operation have changed or you need to add a new product, but the people who manage your site tells you it will take two weeks to make that change. That, unfortunately, can alter what could be a prime opportunity for your business. I encourage you to work with a web management company that can eliminate the stress often caused by change and do so in a timely fashion.

4. The Current Website is More than 3 Years Old

Most websites have a shelf life of three to five years. Sometimes it can go a little longer if it was built well, but typically, a website’s user experience will need to be refreshed at the very least and sometimes start anew after many years. 

Keep in mind that what worked for you five years ago may be out-of-date today. Your audience has evolved and will notice expired technology and content. Your call-to-action likely changed, so why not make it prominent? Don’t let that beautiful website go out of date. Make sure you put in the time necessary to allow for the best ROI.

5. The Website Isn’t Making You Money 

Your website should actually convert visitors into sales. If your leads are falling flat, or your website traffic is up but sales are down, your website isn’t working for you. It could be as simple as the website design, but more often than not, the messaging isn’t converting visits into sales. There’s no getting around the fact that websites cost money to build. Be sure your website has intentional design and messaging, so that you can make profit in return. 

If you need help getting a new website developed or need to bring your current website up to speed reach out to us here for a free quote. You can also see some of our packages and pricing here.