The 4 Clues Your Website Design is Out-of-Date

By : Unknown

On : 9/08/2015

In : Web Master

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Website and blog design trends are constantly evolving, as is the technology that the latest websites offer users. Without realizing it, your website could be extremely out-of-date due to the constantly evolving nature of the technology sector. When your website is outdated, it can hurt your brand perception and turn off potential customers. See if your website is due for a refresh by searching your website for these four clues that your website is out of date.

Clue #1: The Design Quality is Low

One of the best ways to tell if your design quality is low is to visit similar website and see how their website looks. A clean, simple & relevant aesthetic is what online users are attracted to. Anything else comes off as outdated or inferior to competitors. The colors need to blend well with your branding and be used appropriately. The navigation needs to be simple and easy to use. Your website is often your first impression and should reflect a sense of quality and reliability.

Clue #2: Your Analytics Show No Growth

Most like you have already set up Google Analytics on your website and you are monitoring your statistics frequently. Analytics helps direct you on what changes need to be made to your online strategy. Look through your reports and see areas where you have room to improve on page views, bounce and conversion rates, especially compared to previous months. This will help you figure out what updates need to be made to your website and where.

Clue #3: Your Website Content Isn’t Quite Right.

There are two ways to check your website’s content. The first is to look at the content amount and spacing. If you have large blocks of text or have content that does not say much, it is time to update. The text needs to be broken up into short and digestible chunks. Break it up with bullet points, lists, headings, etc. The text should be there for a reason – filler content is detected by users immediately and causes them to gloss over or leave your website.

Clue #4: You’re Website’s Technology is outdated.

Your website needs to have a mobile-friendly version that is easy to use and access from mobile devices and tablets. You also need to have other mobile features, such as click to call. Second is to look at social media integration and cloud backup services. If these aren’t presence on your website, it is time to update.
If your website was built a few years ago, the technology it stands on is most likely outdated. Unlike other purchases for your business, your website ideally needs to be updated every 3-4 years. Your website will have slow load times and limited editing functionality as browsers update and technology evolves. Sticking it out with outdated technology also makes your website more vulnerable to security breaches. Updating your website’s software will provide you with the latest in web design best practices, functionality as well as the latest infrastructure and security releases. Using Open Source software will provide your website with software that is more easily updated and scalable to changes.
Making changes to your website to update the design is extremely important. First impressions count for a lot and visitors who see these clues that your website is out-of-date will leave immediately. Keeping your website design updated will help you attract the attention of new customers as well as retain and cater more adequately to your existing client base.
This article was contributed by Magicdust, Australian digital agency providing professional website design and online marketing solutions for small business.