And by now, we mean now.

Your website is the front door to your business. It greets every potential client with a snapshot of your brand's values and offerings. But if your website feels outdated or confusing, it might be driving people away instead of inviting them in.

Here's why your website might be stuck in the past and how to give it a modern makeover.

Embracing Web Accessibility

Did you know that over 2.2 billion people globally have a vision impairment? That's a lot of potential customers who might miss out on your amazing products or services!

Luckily, there are simple ways to make your website accessible to everyone. Think of it like adding ramps and wider doorways to your store – it makes it easier for everyone to get in and explore.

Describing pictures and videos with words (called alt text) means all people can benefit from them. Fun fact: it can also boost your ranking in image searches.

High-contrast colors and fonts make text easy to read. You can check your color contrast with this tool or build an accessible palette here.

The more accessible your website is, the more people can discover your business!

Clear Information + Easy Navigation

Ever gotten lost in an airport? Confusing websites can feel the same! Your site's information should be easy to understand and tell people exactly what you offer. If visitors can't quickly find what they're looking for, they might give up and head to a competitor's website.

Consider who is visiting your site and what they're looking for. Anticipate their needs and make it easy for them to follow your story on each page and section of your site.

The Shift to Mobile-First Design

Stats show that over 60% of web traffic now comes from smartphones. Think about it: millennials spend over 5.7 hours a day on their phones, checking them an average of 58 times! That's why there's been a shift from designing mobile-friendly websites to mobile-first.

A mobile-first design considers:

Webpage speed
Content prioritization
Touch-based interfaces
Button sizing + placement
Fewer pop-ups
Fonts legible at smaller scales

Where do you rank?

Ever heard of SEO and SEM? SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about making your website appeal to search engines so you rank higher in search results. Doing so can increase your organic traffic. Sizing your images for the web, enhancing user experience, and reducing bounce rates all positively affect SEO.

Using keywords, meta descriptions, and catchy headings helps search engines understand your site. Regularly updating your content keeps it fresh and signals that your site is active and a relevant resource.

SEM (Search Engine Marketing) is more like putting up flashy ads that say, "Amazing Company Here!" Both SEO and SEM help people find your website but in different ways.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

Website rules can change! Remember when GDPR went into effect back in 2018? Its introduction led to an overhaul of data collection and storage practices. This gave more transparency and control to users. Yet, it also led to a frenzy of businesses needing to update their web presence and digital practices.

Don't wait for the next regulation to catch you off guard. Stay ahead of the curve by prioritizing accessibility and data privacy best practices.

Beyond the Makeover: Routine Website Maintenance

A website refresh isn't a one-time fix. Here are some ongoing updates you should be doing to keep your website fresh and relevant.

Regular Content Updates: Updating your content regularly keeps it fresh and relevant. This tells search engines your site is active and authoritative, improving your ranking. A higher ranking helps people easily find information about your business.
Broken Link Check-Ups: Like fixing a flickering light in your store, you want to identify and fix broken links on your website. Broken links frustrate users and can hurt your SEO ranking. If it does happen, consider how your 404 page can creatively solve the experience.
Tracking Traffic Sources: How are people getting to your site? Is it from an ad you're running? An email campaign? A press mention? This valuable information can help you tailor your content and marketing efforts.

Ready to Build the Ultimate Website?

Choosing the right approach for rebranding or updating your website is a pivotal decision. That decision directly impacts the success of your business.

While freelancers and DIY website builders offer tempting cost efficiencies, there are big reasons to invest in a professional design firm for such a critical project.

As a studio specializing in designing and rebranding websites, we have a wealth of expertise. Freelancers may specialize in one or two areas. We have access to experts in every field of design and marketing. They range from UX/UI designers and SEO specialists to content strategists and branding experts. This expertise ensures that every part of your website is optimized for user experience, functionality, and compliance with the latest web standards.