First impressions matter, especially when it comes to website design. In fact, 94 percent of first impressions are design-related. In other words, an obsolete or poorly designed website can turn potential customers away before they even have a chance to learn about your products or services. What does your web design say about your business?
Your website is the face of your brand, giving leads opportunities to engage with your products, services, and values. To drive results for your contractor business and keep prospects coming back for more, you’ll need to strike the right balance between keeping your website fresh and avoiding unnecessary overhaul.
So, why redesign a website—and how often should you redesign your website to drive traffic and fuel engagement? From best practices to actionable strategies, here’s everything you need to know to make the right decisions for your business.
Whether you’re a seasoned electrician or building a landscaping company from the ground up, you need to dedicate time and effort toward your website design. Why? Your prospects expect a seamless browsing experience and visually captivating interface across every device—and an old, outdated website can make the difference between a lost lead and a loyal customer. Here’s how.
Now that you know why web design matters for your business, how often should you redesign your website? The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. As a rule of thumb, consider redesigning your website every 2-3 years, or sooner if you notice any of the signs mentioned below.
And remember: ongoing monitoring of website performance, user feedback, and industry trends can help determine the best timing for a redesign to ensure your website remains effective and competitive in the long term.
If your website looks like it’s stuck in the past, it’s time for a redesign. For example, outdated graphics can make your website feel out of touch with current design trends, which can leave potential leads questioning your credibility. This might include clipart-style images, pixelated logos, or low-resolution photos. Upgrading to high-quality graphics and professional photos can instantly refresh the look of your website and showcase your attention to detail.
Color trends can also evolve, and what might’ve been popular in the past might start feeling dull or outdated. An unappealing color scheme can make your website feel uninspired or even untrustworthy to visitors. Meanwhile, refreshing your website with a modern color palette that reflects your brand identity and resonates with your target audience can breathe new life into your website and enhance its visual appeal.
Just as important, fonts can transform the personality and readability of your website. Using outdated or overused fonts can make your website look unprofessional, while certain fonts can be difficult to read. Opt for modern, legible fonts that reflect your brand’s personality to elevate the overall look and feel of your website.
Picture this: You just landed on a website searching for HVAC services. But as you click through the site, you encounter a maze of confusing menus and jumbled content. Broken links lead to dead ends, and slow loading times test your patience. When you can’t find what you’re looking for, you leave the site out of frustration.
When visitors have trouble navigating your website or face performance issues such as slow loading times, broken links, or non-responsive design, it’s time to redesign your website. The good news? A redesign offers an opportunity to streamline navigation and improve the overall structure of your site. Clear navigation menus and well-organized content make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for. By implementing user-friendly navigation features such as dropdown menus, search bars, and breadcrumb trails, you can guide visitors through your site more effectively.
Meanwhile, slow loading times and broken links can leave visitors frustrated, taking a toll on your website’s search engine ranking and overall performance. By revamping your website and addressing technical issues, you’ll be able to optimize site performance and minimize any unnecessary plugins or scripts. Improving site speed not only enhances user experience but also boosts SEO, resulting in higher visibility and better search engine rankings.
“But I already have a professional-looking website and an amazing user experience,” you’re thinking. “Why redesign my website?” Even if you’ve already invested time, effort, and resources into driving traffic to your website, you might still miss conversion targets. It’s like having a storefront bustling with foot traffic, but few people are actually coming inside to make a purchase.
In this case, you probably have some underlying issues with your website’s design, layout, or messaging that are roadblocks to conversion. When you take a closer look, you might notice that the layout of your website is cluttered and confusing, making it difficult for visitors to understand what action they should take next. Similarly, the messaging on your website might be unclear or inconsistent, failing to effectively communicate the value of your services. Believe it or not, 70 percent of small businesses don’t have a call-to-action on their homepage.
So, what’s the solution? We recommend a redesign focused on optimizing conversion pathways and calls-to-action. By streamlining the layout, removing clutter, and guiding visitors toward clear calls-to-action, you’ll create a seamless conversion funnel that encourages visitors to take the next step toward becoming leads or customers.
Let’s face it: Mobile browsing is dominating internet usage. In early 2024, people using mobile devices contributed to over 60 percent of all website traffic, with over 92 percent of users across the internet using a mobile phone. These numbers are only going to keep rising, but what does that mean for your web design?
Having a website that is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity, especially for local business owners. With more and more people relying on their smartphones and tablets to access the internet, you need to adapt to this trend to avoid missing out on mountains of opportunities. A website that isn’t optimized for mobile devices can contribute to a poor user experience, making it harder for visitors to navigate the site, read content, or access important information. This can drive them away, potentially to competitors who offer a smoother mobile experience.
Search engines also prioritize mobile-friendly websites in their search results. In other words, if your website isn’t optimized for mobile, it’ll likely rank lower in SERPs, making it harder for potential customers to find you online. By ensuring your website is mobile-friendly, you can improve your visibility and drive more organic traffic. You’ll also be able to reach prospects regardless of the device they’re using or their location, further expanding your reach and making it easier for prospects to engage with your business.
To drive engagement, you need high-quality website content that keeps your prospects coming back for more. However, there’s a good chance that the needs and interests of your target audience will evolve over time. By regularly updating your content, you can ensure it remains relevant to your audience’s current interests, concerns, and preferences. This way, you’ll keep visitors engaged while demonstrating your commitment to providing them with up-to-date information.
In addition, outdated information can undermine your credibility and trustworthiness. If visitors find inaccurate or obsolete content on your website, they’ll question the reliability of your business as a whole. Regular content updates allow you to verify the accuracy of information and make any necessary corrections or revisions to ensure that your content is always reliable and trustworthy.
Ultimately, staying ahead of the competition means staying updated—especially when it comes to home services businesses. If your competitors are regularly updating their content while yours remains stagnant, you risk falling behind. Taking steps to regularly refresh your content can help you maintain a competitive edge and drive a steady stream of new leads.
Redesigning your website isn’t just about making aesthetic improvements. Instead, it’s a pivotal step toward enhancing user experience, improving functionality, and igniting your conversion rate. By partnering with an experienced web designer, you’ll realize your online presence while positioning your brand for sustained success.
At Company 119, our award-winning web design experts create tailored digital experiences for your website so you can leave a lasting impression on your audience. Reach out to our team today to build a standout website that converts.
