A website is your business’s online shop. And like no customer would ever stay in a real-world shop that appears in shambles, no one will stick around and interact with your website if it seems neglected.
How can a website appear neglected? By being inconsistent with the latest web design standards.
If you launched a website some years ago and ensured it was up-to-date with the trends of its time, it is most likely outdated now because the trends have certainly changed.
And if you think the customers wouldn’t know when a website is outdated, you’re wrong.
Modern customers have exposure to top-notch websites. They know the extra distance modern businesses are going to get their attention. And if your business does not appear to do the same, the online customer will leave your website with a bad impression of your business.
So, while an updated website is critical for you to attract and retain customers, it is also a key factor in maintaining or building a positive online image.
Apart from these customer-related digital trends, there are other more technical trends where your website may fall short if it hasn’t been updated in a while.
For example, if you want your website to be visible online, you must have built it with search engine optimization or SEO best practices in mind. However, SEO techniques change often.
So, a website that hasn’t been updated in a long time may not align with the latest SEO factors and, hence, would get lost in the overly-crowded online world.
Time and budget shortages may make it impossible for small business owners to prioritize continuous web development and maintenance. But harnessing the internet’s potential demands that you regularly give your business a new or updated website.
There are many other reasons why a new website is critical for most small businesses. Landau Consulting, a web development company in New Jersey, has discussed a dozen of them in this infographic. Check it out to see why it might be a good idea to get your business a new website now.