Redesigning a Website for Customers’ Attraction

The design of a company’s website may be holding its business back, said Kanu Iroegbu, Digital marketing Consultant, Netmedia Reach Solutions Ltd.

According to him, when visitors find a website difficult to navigate or use, or they simply think it is ugly, they have no qualms about taking their money and loyalty elsewhere. “A website redesign can help your company gain the competitive edge you desire in order to attract new business - and keep it”.

Iroegbu, thus outlined the most common signs you may need to consider refreshing your website:

1. Static site
If your site doesn't respond to the growing range of devices beyond laptops or desktops, fix it. Users now access sites on smartphones, desktops and everything in-between.
Update your website frequently to keep up with the influx of new devices and technology.

2. Your website isn't generating business
If you witness a decline or halt in sales generated by your website, you know you need to redesign.
It's a daunting experience, but it's also a chance for your company to see real improvement in its online presence.

3. Long load times.
A website that takes too long to load is a turnoff, especially with the smartphone crowd. It shouldn't take more than five seconds for your site to load.
4. Visitor loss.
If you've noticed that visitors never navigate past your home page, or if they're declining in numbers, it's time to revamp your site's content. This is particularly true if your site holds no SEO clout.

5. An outdated appearance
The website looks old. But it's only a year old. Why does this happen and what can you do to change it? It is sloppy and viewers cannot spend time on it.
Design evolves with functionality. If your website looks old, it's a good indicator your website can be improved.

6. Cluttered or obsolete features
It's better to have a clean site than one with unused features.
Trial and error go a long way in Web design. Some features will be used often while others will go unused from the minute they appear on your site.
If certain features on your website were popular once but are now ignored, get rid of them or improve their functionality.

7. Irrelevant content
"Kill your darlings" is a phrase often used by editors to weed out unnecessary content. It means you should remove needless text and words, even if you still value them.
It takes a critical eye, but we become oblivious to irrelevant content and need to cut old, ineffective text and images in favor of better design or new content.

Iroegbu added that the insane speed at which the Internet moves doesn't make keeping one’s updated site easy, “but when you stay up to date and reap the rewards of being current you'll feel the result in accounting and in the bounce rate”.