7 Signs You Need a New Website for Your Business
The first and oldest web domain on the internet is symbolics.com, founded in 1985. And even they updated their look and feel to keep up with modern search and user trends.
Web design might sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense for some small business owners. In fact, it's quite the opposite. User habits and Google search algorithms change regularly. You're missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you're not consistently modernizing your website.
But how do you know when it's time to upgrade—or build your first site? Below, we highlight 7 signs or reasons a small business needs a new website.
Read on to see if they apply to you!
Shockingly, a large number of small businesses in America don't have a website at all.
It might be acceptable if your business is an independent gas station in a high-traffic area, but it poses a significant problem for others. You're missing out on many potential leads if you don't have a website.
Thankfully, this is a problem that you can resolve quickly. There's never been a better time to access affordable website design.
Today, websites are reasonably priced to host, affordable and quick to design, and easy to maintain—so long as you work with a savvy provider.
The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. That doesn't work well for your online presence.
The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with it in the way the entity hosting it needs them to. This might be to buy a product (an e-commerce business), request a service quotation (a plumber or roofer), or make an appointment (a doctor's office). However, one study found that nearly 40% of visitors will leave a website if they find it ugly.
So, if your website looks like it's from 2013 instead of 2025, it's time to invest in a website redesign—ASAP!
You're probably glued to your smartphone. After all, the average user spends over 3 hours A DAY scrolling socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their phone.
It's not a far-fetched assertion to suggest your customers are doing the same thing. And you need to ensure your company website works well on desktop and adapts to the smaller screens people now use.
And that's because nearly 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices—smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easy to adapt to this new reality.
You've nailed that all-important first impression. Your website looks great on mobile. Yet, you're still not attracting those all-important leads—at least, not as many as you'd hoped.
If your conversions are low, it could be because your website design isn't optimized to aid your customers' journey through your sales funnel. They might find you, but once they're on your site, they're often unsure of where to go or what to do next.
A redesign focused on clear calls to action can help you achieve your conversion goals.
You've had a legitimate business for a long time, and once, your website served you well. People can find you and contact you by phone or via your website's contact form to inquire about your services.
Today, those people just aren't coming. So what's going on?
Your aging website is likely not optimized for inbound marketing. You must ensure it includes sections where you can provide your visitors with educational, helpful information that addresses their pain points and builds trust in your expertise.
Google Analytics defines a bounce rate as "the percentage of people who visit a single page on your website."
This essentially means the analytics program is counting the number of people who only stay on the website they first click through to—say, from the Google search results page—and then click away from your website immediately or shortly thereafter.
A high bounce rate is considered to be anywhere between 56% and 70% (or above).
You can interpret this to mean your website lacks sufficient relevant content to keep visitors engaged and exploring.
To remedy this, you need to upgrade your website to ensure clear navigation at every stage of the user experience.
If your website fails to meet online security standards, it will be downranked in Google search results. And this means no one will find you.
Also, if visitors perceive your website as unsafe, they're unlikely to trust you.
Modern websites need an SSL certificate at a minimum. This is a fundamental trust signal for visitors and Google.
However, some small businesses may need to consider upgrading to a more secure solution, especially if they collect personal client data.
But don't worry, the website we create for you will have an SSL certificate so that visitors can feel safe when visiting your website.
If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it's telling you "yes," you probably needed to invest yesterday.
If even one of the points above resonates with you, it's time to invest in an upgrade.
Contact us to discuss your new website today. We specialize in affordable web solutions and small business websites that are effective, optimized, and secure.
Web design might sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense for some small business owners. In fact, it's quite the opposite. User habits and Google search algorithms change regularly. You're missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you're not consistently modernizing your website.
But how do you know when it's time to upgrade—or build your first site? Below, we highlight 7 signs or reasons a small business needs a new website.
Read on to see if they apply to you!
1. You Still Don't Have a Website
Shockingly, a large number of small businesses in America don't have a website at all.
It might be acceptable if your business is an independent gas station in a high-traffic area, but it poses a significant problem for others. You're missing out on many potential leads if you don't have a website.
Thankfully, this is a problem that you can resolve quickly. There's never been a better time to access affordable website design.
Today, websites are reasonably priced to host, affordable and quick to design, and easy to maintain—so long as you work with a savvy provider.
2. Your Current Website is Ugly or Outdated
The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. That doesn't work well for your online presence.
The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with it in the way the entity hosting it needs them to. This might be to buy a product (an e-commerce business), request a service quotation (a plumber or roofer), or make an appointment (a doctor's office). However, one study found that nearly 40% of visitors will leave a website if they find it ugly.
So, if your website looks like it's from 2013 instead of 2025, it's time to invest in a website redesign—ASAP!
3. Your Website Is Not Mobile Friendly
You're probably glued to your smartphone. After all, the average user spends over 3 hours A DAY scrolling socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their phone.
It's not a far-fetched assertion to suggest your customers are doing the same thing. And you need to ensure your company website works well on desktop and adapts to the smaller screens people now use.
And that's because nearly 60% of web traffic comes from mobile devices—smartphones, tablets, or laptops.
Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easy to adapt to this new reality.
4. You're Not Getting the Results You Expect From Your Site
You've nailed that all-important first impression. Your website looks great on mobile. Yet, you're still not attracting those all-important leads—at least, not as many as you'd hoped.
If your conversions are low, it could be because your website design isn't optimized to aid your customers' journey through your sales funnel. They might find you, but once they're on your site, they're often unsure of where to go or what to do next.
A redesign focused on clear calls to action can help you achieve your conversion goals.
5. Business Is Slow, and Sales Are Stagnating
You've had a legitimate business for a long time, and once, your website served you well. People can find you and contact you by phone or via your website's contact form to inquire about your services.
Today, those people just aren't coming. So what's going on?
Your aging website is likely not optimized for inbound marketing. You must ensure it includes sections where you can provide your visitors with educational, helpful information that addresses their pain points and builds trust in your expertise.
6. You Have a High Bounce Rate
Google Analytics defines a bounce rate as "the percentage of people who visit a single page on your website."
This essentially means the analytics program is counting the number of people who only stay on the website they first click through to—say, from the Google search results page—and then click away from your website immediately or shortly thereafter.
A high bounce rate is considered to be anywhere between 56% and 70% (or above).
You can interpret this to mean your website lacks sufficient relevant content to keep visitors engaged and exploring.
To remedy this, you need to upgrade your website to ensure clear navigation at every stage of the user experience.
7. Your Website Isn't Secure
If your website fails to meet online security standards, it will be downranked in Google search results. And this means no one will find you.
Also, if visitors perceive your website as unsafe, they're unlikely to trust you.
Modern websites need an SSL certificate at a minimum. This is a fundamental trust signal for visitors and Google.
However, some small businesses may need to consider upgrading to a more secure solution, especially if they collect personal client data.
But don't worry, the website we create for you will have an SSL certificate so that visitors can feel safe when visiting your website.
We Build Small Business Websites That Work
If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it's telling you "yes," you probably needed to invest yesterday.
If even one of the points above resonates with you, it's time to invest in an upgrade.
- Perhaps your customers complain they can't find what they need on your website.
- Maybe you're worried clients aren't finding you online at all!
- Can you navigate your website properly or upload new content to it?
Contact us to discuss your new website today. We specialize in affordable web solutions and small business websites that are effective, optimized, and secure.
GET YOUR FREE WEBSITE DEMO
Interesting in seeing how your new website can look? Contact us today to request your FREE no-obligation website mockup.