Is Your Website Costing you Customers? 5 Signs it’s Time to Refresh the Design

Your website is your online storefront. It’s where potential customers come to browse your products or services, learn about your brand, and, hopefully, convert into paying customers. But what happens if your website is outdated, confusing to navigate, or slow to load?

Honestly? It’s driving those potential customers straight to your competitors.

An outdated website can be a silent killer for your business. It might look fine to you, but for potential customers, it might scream “untrustworthy,” “unprofessional,” or even “out of business.” The good news? You don’t need a complete website overhaul to make a big difference.

Let’s take a look at the top five ways your website could be costing you customers.

How’s your first impression?

Compare the look and feel of your website to that of a physical store. Would you walk into a shop with flickering fluorescent lights, dusty shelves, and a confusing layout? Most likely not. An outdated website with confusing navigation, overcrowded elements, and blurry images creates the same negative experience.

Imagine you’re the owner of a yoga studio. Can your visitors easily book a yoga class or fill out a form to contact you for more information? Do you have stunning visuals of what your studio space looks like and what a typical class might look like? What about the yoga accessories that you sell? Are the photos clear? Is your checkout system easy to navigate?

These elements all contribute to whether or not your site visitors will turn into paying customers.

Ready for the small screen?

Mobile responsiveness is no longer “nice to have”. It’s a necessity to reach busy Kiwis who are constantly on the go. Your potential customers are not sitting at home searching for your site on their desktop computers. They’re searching while they’re standing in line at the market, shopping on their mobile while waiting for football practice to end, or browsing wedding venue options during a boring presentation.

A mobile-friendly website is essential for capturing these on-the-go customers. Imagine a potential client stumbling upon your business while researching on their phone. If your website is difficult to navigate, slow to load, or doesn’t display correctly, they’ll likely move on to a competitor.

If your website isn’t optimised for mobile, you’re losing money. Ensure that your target audience can easily find and engage with your brand, no matter where they are or what device they’re using.

How does your business rank?

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is all about making sure your website shows up in search results when people type in keywords related to your business. If your website isn’t optimised for search engines, potential customers might never even find you!

Let’s say you have a plumbing business in Tauranga. If your website doesn’t mention keywords like “plumber Tauranga”, “emergency plumber”, or “blocked drains”, people won’t find your business when they search for these terms. Including your location in your keywords also brings you more qualified leads from people searching for plumbers in the Tauranga area.

When you invest time and effort into SEO, you’re not just making it easier for potential customers to find you, but you’re also increasing your chances of converting those visitors into paying clients.

Is your site closing deals?

Your website should be viewed as a sales tool designed to guide visitors toward a specific action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or requesting a quote. A low conversion rate means your website isn’t effectively fulfilling its purpose.

Imagine you have a website selling handmade Paua shell jewellery. Your website is beautiful, and people show enthusiasm, but something is preventing them from following through with a purchase. This could be due to a confusing website, slow load times, or a lack of trust.

A website with a low conversion rate is like a store with empty shelves or an inattentive salesperson. It’s a missed opportunity. By understanding what’s stopping visitors from becoming customers and taking steps to address those issues, you can significantly increase your sales and revenue.

Slow and insecure?

A website that takes forever to load is a surefire way to lose visitors. Not only is it frustrating, but it can also raise security concerns. Regular website maintenance ensures fast loading times and protects your website and customer data.

Let’s say you have a pet-sitting company. A slow-loading website with outdated security measures might make pet owners hesitant to trust you with their furry companions. A refresh can improve website speed and implement strong security protocols to build trust and keep visitors engaged.

Security breaches can be devastating for businesses of all sizes. Hackers can steal customer data, damage your reputation, and even shut down your website entirely. Investing in website security is crucial to protecting your business and your customers’ trust.

A fast, secure website not only improves user experience but also enhances your credibility and protects your valuable assets.

Is your website showing any of these signs?

Don’t worry! A website refresh doesn’t have to break the bank. The Webbros team can help you create a website that’s modern, mobile-friendly, and designed to convert visitors into customers. Contact us today for a free consultation!