Is your website trying to tell you something? Maybe it’s loading at a snail’s pace, or your staff cringes every time they need to update it, or you’ve caught yourself making excuses like “just ignore that old information” a few too many times. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. Let’s talk about the signs that it’s time for a website refresh and what to do about it.
The “Time for a Change” Checklist
Warning Signs Your Website Needs Love
The Technical Tell-Tales:
- Your site takes forever to load (we’re looking at you, giant image files)
- It looks wonky on phones or tablets
- Your content management system is so old, it could qualify for retirement
- You’re getting security warning messages
- Forms or features just… don’t work anymore
The User Experience Uh-Ohs:
- Visitors need a treasure map to find important information
- Your bounce rates are through the roof
- People keep calling to ask questions that should be obvious on your site
- Your “latest news” is from three years ago
- Your design makes people ask, “Is this still in business?”
The Business Reality Checks:
- Your organization has grown, but your website hasn’t kept up
- Your services or mission have evolved
- Your competitors’ websites make yours look like a MySpace page
- You can’t easily update content yourself
- Your team avoids sending people to the website ?
Photo by on Pexels
Before You Jump Into a Redesign
Hold up! Before you start picking color schemes and fonts, let’s get organized:
- Gather the Evidence
- What do your analytics say about how people use your site?
- What feedback have you gotten from users?
- What are your top 3 website complaints?
- What features do you wish you had?
- Define Your Goals
- What does success look like for your new site?
- Who needs to be involved in the process?
- What’s your realistic budget?
- When do you need this done?
The Smart Approach to a Website Revamp
Step 1: Plan It Out
- Audit your current content (what stays, what goes, what needs updating)
- List must-have features vs nice-to-haves
- Identify who will create (and maintain) new content
- Figure out your timeline
- Set your budget
Step 2: Assess Your Options
- Not all web platforms are created equal, and not all will make sense for your situation
- Find a solution that’s right for your goals, purpose, and content
- Find a solution that’s right for your staff, your time, and your abilities
- Utilize the right tools,
Step 3: Get a Partner!
DIY website builders and “easy-to-use” platforms are a dime a dozen, but that doesn’t mean they’re the right choice. You don’t have to do it alone. ThreeLeaf Consulting can help you:
- Pick a platform that suits your needs
- Build out a website that works for your business
- Set you up for future success with a plan for moving forward, and the training to make it happen
- Provide you and your team with strategic guidance and ongoing assistance
A website redesign doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Break it into manageable pieces, focus on what your users actually need, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
Need help figuring out your website situation? Let’s chat about where you are and where you want to go. We’ll help you create a plan that makes sense for your organization – no tech overwhelm required.
