Updating your Website – 5 key elements to consider.

A well-designed website is one of the most effective ways to market your business online, and in an increasingly remote world, the power of the internet has never been more prevalent. An up to date website will give your business credibility and currency and there are several different reasons why you might be considering updating yours. Perhaps you feel that it could be more user-friendly, maybe you are rebranding, or have online security concerns forced you to reconsider the way that yours is set up? Whatever your reasons are for updating your website, we’ve rounded up some of the key things you’ll need to consider before getting started.

How user-friendly is your site?

When it comes to redoing your website, it pays to get into the psyche of those that will be visiting it frequently. What do they want, or perhaps need from your website? What changes can you implement to ensure that your website is easy to navigate? You might want to consider conducting surveys to find out what your customers or visitors want from your website. Could a new layout make it easier to use? Alternatively, consult with analytics to find out which pages are visited most. Could the pages with less traffic be optimised or improved, or do they need to become more visible on your homepage? Knowing your users and their needs means you can make meaningful changes to your website.

What kind of story does the appearance of your site tell?

A website that looks visually appealing is important and helps to convey a certain message to people that visit it. It also helps to convey that you’ve got your finger on the button when it comes to the latest trends and will help your website stay relevant. In terms of keeping it ‘off the moment’, you might want to consider digital illustrations, vibrant colours and geometric patterns, all of which are in right now. Photographs of key people in your organisation help to breathe life into your site, so consider finding a way to incorporate these into it too.

Is your site secure? 

You should never compromise when it comes to security, and if you are updating, you’ll want to be sure that your website is secure and safe. Protecting your website and any email addresses affiliated with it can be achieved with up-to-date software, so be sure to check that your content management system aligns with modern technologies.

Is your website optimised effectively?

Anyone with a half-decent website knows the importance of SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and because the rules are transforming all of the time, you need to stay in the know, particularly if you are planning on a website update. Did you know that when Google updates its algorithms, it can have a direct impact on your website? If you are going to make changes to the appearance or content of your website, see it as the perfect opportunity to update your SEO too.

How fast are users able to access information?

In an increasingly connected and fast-paced online environment, immediacy reigns supreme, which is why it’s important that your website boasts high speeds. A slow loading speed has been cited as one of the main reasons for a high bounce rate, so if you are updating, consider looking into ways that you can make your website work faster, which will in turn lead to reduced alienation of users and keep your engagement levels high. You might want to apply some more up-to-date technology to your site, as doing so will speeds things up while simultaneously improving your Google rankings. Alternatively investigate improving or removing some of the elements of your website slowing things down. This might include unoptimized images, heavy video files and too much

flash content.

To find out more on how The New Fat could help you update your website get in touch today.