How long until your small business website design needs a facelift?
The way the world does business has
changed drastically and this change is in by no small measure influenced by the
internet. Not a field or business exists that does not have an online presence.
This is because every consumer first checks the website and then decides if he
wants to do business with the company or not. This phenomenon is not restricted
to any one business function. Whether one wants to engage the services of an
architect or buy a pair of shoes, whether one is looking for a school for one’s
child or a wedding planner for one’s wedding, checking out the website is the
first step.
Big businesses have realized the importance of
having a vibrant online presence and have invested a time, effort and money in
their websites and other online footprints like social media, blogs etc.
What if you just are a small
business and you have invested a certain amount in a website, maybe got your
friend to design it or got one of those bargain websites that fit your pocket?
Is it serving your purpose? How long can you survive in business with your old
website? How long until your small business website design needs a facelift?
Here are a few pointers that will
indicate that you need to rethink your website design and give it a facelift.
- Business is down
The first sign to show that your
website does not have the intended impact is when business stagnates and slowly
diminishes. There is intense competition in every field nowadays. Businesses
try to outdo each other in their bid to woo customers. The first step is through their websites – a
glorious picture is painted that entices visitors to change into customers. If
your website is not the best advertising tool, you may find business dwindling.
This might not have anything to do with the quality of your service or product.
The perception of the customer decides whether he will do business with you or
not. And this perception is formed when he visits your website. So if you find
business is slowing down, it might be a sign that your website needs a
facelift.
- It has been over three years since you designed it
Being a small business, you might
think that the investment you made on the website should last you for at least
a couple of years. Well, you have another think coming. Technology is changing
so fast and what is in today maybe done with tomorrow. As a small player in the
business field, how much can you invest to keep up with the changing trends?
Well, while it is expensive to keep updating your website, not doing so will
prove even more costly. If it is over three years since your last website
design, chances are that it is very outdated and will not serve your purpose
any more.
- The site is slow
Most probably, an old site becomes
very slow, as it was designed for another age. Outdated design features, like
Flash make it slow to load and for today’s fast paced generation, waiting is
akin to torture. So, rather than wait for a slow website to load, they just
move on to the next one that might just be faster.
So, if you find any of the above
features describing your website, be sure that it’s time for a change.