In the past (century), your website might have been on the cutting edge. But unlike fine wine, websites get outdated and unimpressive. The world of technology moves so fast, and trying to keep your website current can feel exhausting and challenging. So how do you know if your website is up to date? Here’re a few signs that your website might be a little past its prime.
Your website fails the “mobile test”
Mobile technology has taken the world by storm, and that means people are increasingly surfing the web via mobile. There’s no better test for your website than trying to access it from your smart device. Check your site using your smart phone. Is it easy to navigate? Is it responsive? Do you have to re-size, zoom, and tweak your way through for it to be readable? Are the buttons big enough to press and navigate? Do you need glasses to read your content? Make sure you have a mobile site, or better yet, a responsive site.
Your website doesn’t make a striking first impression
Failing the “mobile test” is a good way to fail this test too, but there’s more. Your website is the face of your business. A visitor to your site will make a quick judgment within seconds of seeing it. Does it make you appear ahead of the game, or behind the curve? What they assume of your website, they will assume about your business as being on top of latest trends and innovations.
Your site is not optimized and not integrated with online marketing
An updated site has a build-in integration with digital marketing and traffic building tools. It’s optimized for inbound visits and easy conversion, has an automated email component, a robust customer management system, and content marketing tools in place. Your company should have a platform in place that will help you reach your business goals, target your audience, promote your unique products or services, and leave your competitors behind.
You have no social media integration
Social media has taken over the traditional marketing industry. Your customers use it every day, and it’s the easiest way to stay connected in a way that makes your business and your brand part of their daily life. Social media builds loyalty. If your website doesn’t provide an easy gateway for your leads to connect with you through social media, it’s letting new opportunities slip through the cracks.
Your website doesn’t promote your business
If your online marketing starts and ends with a website, it’s not doing enough. Today, successful online marketing demands something more than a website – it requires a complete “Digital Footprint” designed to turn every corner of the Web into a marketing opportunity. Any single site, no matter how good it is, will get lost in the vast space of the world-wide-web without additional gear like social media, SEO, and blogging, The bigger your online footprint, the easier it is for new customers to find you.
If you take one thing away from this blog post, let it be this: today’s website is the starting point, not the finish line. Success starts when you start thinking beyond your website, focusing your attention on the larger digital presence. But regardless of your additional efforts, be sure your website is something you can be proud of – something you want associated with the name of your company.
The first impression is often the most powerful.