The ideal time for a business to spruce up its website is when it starts feeling outdated and not serving its purpose anymore. As technology keeps advancing at a rapid pace, websites must keep up with the changes to stay relevant and effective. Does your website seem outdated? Is it generating fewer leads than before? Then, it's time to invest in a website revamp.
Check out this article that will give you the lowdown on what a revamp involves, the key signs to watch out for, why it's crucial to keep your website up-to-date, and much more!
What Is A Website Revamp?
A website revamp is a complete redesign of a website. It may include:
- design
- layout
- graphics
- content
What's the difference between a website revamp & web design?
Revamping uses an existing website as a starting point, while web design involves creating an entirely new website from scratch. With revamping, you get to keep your brand identity and existing content. However, with web design, all elements are created anew.
It's usually cheaper to revamp a website than to design one from the ground up. Nevertheless, if your site is over five years old or has performance issues, it's best to complete a redesign. A revamp may not be enough to solve underlying issues.
Key Signs You Need A Website Revamp
Here are some common signs you need to watch out for. If you found any one of these signs, it is time for a revamp!
2000s Look & Feel
Visitors will instantly notice when a website is outdated. Everything from the colour scheme to the font style and layout might seem unappealing.
Complicated Navigation System
A complex sitemap will do no favours for your online visitors. People do not like to struggle to find their way around a website and will most likely give up after a few clicks.
Slow Loading Speed
If your website takes more than three seconds to load, you're losing traffic. People want instant results, and no one wants to wait for a page that takes forever to load.
Is Not Responsive
A responsive website adjusts its layout automatically to fit any screen size. In today's world, people use their smartphones more than they do their laptops or desktops.
Does Not Showcase Your Latest Products/Services
Perhaps your business has expanded, but you haven't updated your website to reflect that. This means potential customers won't know about new products or services you offer.
Benefits of A Website Revamp
If you notice any of the signs above, a website revamp will be beneficial. Not only will it address any issues your site may have, but it also comes with several other benefits.
Improved User Experience
UX, or User Experience, focuses on how people interact with your website. A UX audit is part of the website revamp process and will help identify any flaws that can be fixed. With an improved user experience, your visitors are more likely to stay on your site longer, increasing the chances of conversion.
Increased Traffic
A revamped website with a modern design and better functionality will attract more visitors. People are attracted to aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly websites, which can lead to an increase in traffic.
Better SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is crucial for any website. A revamp can help improve your website's ranking by applying on-page SEO and technical SEO during the process. This means your website will be more visible to potential customers when they search for relevant keywords.
Update Your Brand Image
Your website is often the first interaction a customer has with your brand, and it's essential to make a good first impression. A revamp can give your site the look and feel of your brand, making it consistent with your other marketing materials.
Stay Ahead of Your Competition
Whether your competition has revamped its website or not, if they have, it's time to revamp your own. If they haven't, now is the perfect time to get ahead and stand out from the competition.
How To Revamp A Website
Many website owners ask the question of how they can revamp a website without disrupting their business.
Here are some tips to help you with the process:
Set Clear Goals
Before starting any revamp, it's crucial to have a clear goal in mind. What do you want to achieve with your website? Do you want to increase sales, improve user experience, or update your brand image? A purpose will guide your revamp and make it easier to measure its success.
Analyse Your Current Website
Take a look at your current website and analyse its strengths and weaknesses. What elements are working well, and what needs improvement? This analysis will help you identify areas that require attention during the revamp process.
Create a Plan
To create a revamp plan, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you want to hire a digital marketing agency that can provide you with graphic designers, website designers or website developers? Or do you want to handle it all yourself?
- What is your budget for the revamp?
- What are the essential features and design elements you want to include in your new website?
Once you have a clear idea of what you want, create a detailed plan that outlines the steps needed to achieve your goals. This plan should also include timelines to help keep everything on track.
If you decide to hire professionals, they'll handle all the steps involved to meet your plan's needs. We at Starbright, for example, have a dedicated team that will work with you closely to ensure that your website revamp is a success.
Draft Designs and Content
Based on your goals and plan, you can start drafting designs and content for your new website. These drafts don't have to be perfect; they're meant to provide a visual representation of what you want. You can also use this opportunity to update your brand image by creating new logos or updating the current ones.
Graphic design services and copywriting services might come in handy here!
Consider User Experience
A crucial aspect of a successful website revamp is ensuring an excellent user experience. Ask yourself if your current website is easy to navigate, whether the information is well-organised and easily accessible, and whether it meets your target audience's needs. Use this as an opportunity to make any necessary changes to improve user experience.
Implement SEO
Implementing SEO basics into your revamped website can help increase your site's visibility and attract more traffic. Here are a few simple techniques you can use:
- Do keyword research about your niche
- Follow the best on-page SEO practices
- Use this technical SEO checklist to ensure your website is functioning properly
- Ensure your website is mobile-friendly and optimised for speed
Start Coding (If needed)
After you have finalised the designs and content, it's time to start coding. If this is not your forte, you can always hire professional web development services.
Test and Launch
Before officially launching your revamped website, be sure to test it thoroughly. Check for any broken links, spelling errors, or other technical glitches. Once everything is functioning correctly, you can launch your new and improved website!
Continual Maintenance
Don't forget that a website revamp isn't a one-time event. It's crucial to continually monitor and maintain your website to stay updated and relevant. Ongoing monthly maintenance and updates will help keep your website running smoothly.
Revamp, Renew, & Reap the Benefits!
Upgrade your website and see the advantages firsthand. For more details or top-notch digital marketing services in Pretoria (like graphic design, web design, web development, UX, website copywriting, and SEO), reach out to us at Starbright today!