Recent studies have shown that 60% of small businesses lose customers due to outdated designs and other website issues. If you’re a business owner who hasn't thought about your website since it was first launched several years ago, or a domain or email customer with a website hosted elsewhere that you've not checked in on recently, now might be the time to do so!
If your first reaction to that was “Yeah nah, it’ll be fine”, OrbitMedia’s research found that the average website’s lifespan before needing to be redesigned clocks in at about 2 years and 1 month. From that alone, it’s pretty clear to see that you’ll need to stay on top of your site’s age and performance to keep up with the competition, especially if you’re a small business. But how can you tell what to look out for? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Whatever your story, we’re here to help you spot the signs that your website might be a bit long in the tooth and in need of a revamp or redesign.
Wait, what’s the difference between a website redesign and a website revamp?
A website revamp just means making smaller changes to your site that affect how it looks and works without having to rebuild the site from scratch. If you wanted to do something like change the basic layout, colours or fonts of your sites’ pages to improve their usability, that would be a revamp.
A website redesign also means making changes to improve your site, but usually involves major reworks to the site’s functionality and layout to create a new user experience entirely for both users and search engine crawlers. A redesign will take much longer to complete than a revamp, too.
Whichever you may find your site ends up needing, let’s dive into some of the clearest signals that your website might be asking for a redesign or a revamp, so you know where to start looking.
1. Your website looks old or cluttered
When you land on a website, what’s your first impression? We all know that feeling when finding a site that just looks like it belongs in a bygone era. Perhaps it’s the colour scheme, the fonts, the layout, or a combination of all three. If your site’s presentation gives off a bit too much nostalgia, it probably needs refreshing.
Signs to look out for:
Dated aesthetics – Think busy backgrounds, flashing animations, autoplay music, dated fonts like Comic Sans, visitor counters, or an overall look that feels blocky and unrefined. Modern web design favours clean lines, plenty of white space, and a clear visual hierarchy.
Cluttered layout – Is your homepage chockers with information, making it difficult to figure out where to look first? A good website guides the user’s eye, making navigation intuitive and enjoyable.
Small or hard-to-read fonts – If users are squinting to read your content, they probably won’t stick around long. Readability is super important!
Lack of high-quality imagery – Blurry, pixelated, or low-resolution images can make your site look pretty unprofessional. High-quality, engaging visuals don’t just capture attention, they’ll make your site look a lot smarter.
What to do:
Investing in a modern, clean design isn't just about looking pretty (though that definitely helps); it’s about establishing credibility and making a great first impression.
Consider a professional redesign – Professional web designers can help you create a fresh, contemporary look that aligns with your brand. If this sounds like a lot to take on yourself then don’t stress, we can do your website design for you!
Go for simplicity and clarity – Embrace white space, use clear and readable fonts, and nail down an intuitive layout for your site. Less can definitely be more when it comes to web design.
Update your visuals – Replace outdated photos with high-quality, relevant images that reflect your business accurately. Professional photography can make a huge difference, even if they’re stock photos.
Review your branding – Does your website’s design align with your current brand identity? A consistent brand image across all your platforms builds trust and recognition.
By updating your website's aesthetics, you’re not just making it visually appealing. You’re telling your customers that your business is modern, professional, and pays attention to detail, which builds confidence and encourages them to explore what you offer. What could be a better first impression?
2. Your website is not mobile-friendly
According to DataReportal, mobile phones account for over 63% of global web traffic as of February 2025! So, really, it’s not a question of if people will access your website on a mobile device, but when. The vast majority of internet users browse on their smartphones, with many also using tablets. If your site isn't designed to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes, you've got a massive opportunity to gain a much bigger audience by changing that.
Signs to look out for:
Pinching and zooming required – If mobile users have to constantly zoom in and out to read your content or click on links, your site is not mobile-friendly.
Tiny text and overlapping elements – On a small screen, content might appear squashed, text might be unreadable, or images and buttons might overlap, making navigation and interaction a nightmare.
Slow loading on mobile – Mobile networks can be slower, so a non-optimised site will likely feel majorly sluggish on a phone.
What to do:
Prioritise responsive design – This means your website automatically adjusts its layout, images, and text to fit whatever screen size it’s being viewed on, from a large desktop monitor to a small smartphone.
Test your site on various devices – Use mobile-friendliness checking tools or simply pick up your own phone and tablet to see how your site performs. Make sure all elements are easily accessible and readable.
Simplify mobile navigation – Consider a "hamburger" menu (the three horizontal lines) for mobile devices, which neatly tucks away navigation options until needed.
Optimise images for mobile – Large image files can really slow down mobile loading times. Ensure images are compressed without losing quality.
A mobile-friendly website means that anyone, anywhere, can easily access and engage with your content. This vastly expands your reach and ensures a positive user experience, which Google also favours in its search rankings. You’ll be reaching more potential customers and making it easier for them to do business with you. A win-win any way you slice it!
3. Your site’s slow to load, or has broken elements
Patience is a virtue, but not one that internet users are renowned for. The brutal truth is that if your website takes more than a few seconds to load, visitors will simply bounce off to a competitor’s site. Similarly, broken links or missing images create a very unprofessional impression.
Signs to look out for:
Long loading times – Does your site feel sluggish, even on a fast internet connection? Test it using online tools like Google’s PageSpeed Insights.
Broken links (404 errors) – Clicking on a link only to be met with a "page not found" error is frustrating for users and signals neglect.
Missing images or videos – Empty boxes where images should be, or videos that refuse to play, make your site look incomplete, unreliable and generally uncared for.
Outdated plugins or software – If your website is built on a Content Management System (CMS) like WordPress, outdated plugins or core software can lead to vulnerabilities and performance issues.
What to do:
Optimise images and media – As we mentioned before, large image and video files are often the biggest culprits for slow loading times. Use online tools like GTmetrix, TinyPNG or Optimizilla to compress them without compromising quality!
Minify code – Removing unnecessary characters from your website’s code (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) can help it load faster.
Enable browser caching – This allows repeat visitors’ browsers to store certain parts of your website, making subsequent visits much quicker.
Regularly check for broken links – Use online tools or manually check your links to ensure they’re all working correctly. Fix any 404 errors as soon as you spot them!
Update your CMS and plugins – If you’re using a CMS, keep its core software and all plugins updated to the latest versions. This not only improves performance but also enhances security.
Consider a faster hosting plan – Sometimes, the issue isn't your website itself but the server it’s hosted on. Upgrading or finding a new hosting plan can significantly improve speed.
A fast and error-free website provides a smooth and enjoyable experience for your visitors. This not only keeps them on your site longer but also signals to search engine crawlers that your site is high-quality, potentially boosting your visibility. You’ll be creating a reliable and frustration-free experience for everyone who visits, which is great for your professional image.
Your site isn’t secure
A secure website is absolutely essential to a successful online business. If customers have concerns about where their private data might end up, they will be unlikely to fill out contact forms or payment info, costing you those valuable conversions.
Signs to look out for:
HTTPS – Does your URL have https:// at the start?
Padlock icon – Is there a padlock icon in the address bar next to your URL?
SSL certificate – Does your website have a valid SSL certificate?
Privacy policy – Do you have a privacy policy available for customers to read on your website?
What to do:
Install/update SSL certificate – Making sure your SSL certificate is up to date is the first step in securing your site and building trust with customers. You can upgrade your HTTP site to HTTPS starting from just A$119 here at Webcentral.
Configure HTTPS and check for mixed content – Make sure your server is set up to serve content over HTTPS, and if you have any content still loading over HTTP, switch it over to avoid mixed content warnings.
Share your privacy policy – Make sure your privacy policy is up to date and easily accessible on your website. It's usual to provide a link in the footer.
With more than 80% of customers preferring a secure website, having a valid SSL certificate can help you retain more users and improve conversions. Not only do SSL certificates improve trust with customers, but they also boost SEO. Search engines like Google prioritise secure websites, so if your URL starts with HTTPS, it's more likely to rank higher on the search engine results page.
4. Your site’s difficult to update or maintain
Do you dread making even a small change to your site because it feels like a monumental task? Perhaps you need to call in a developer for every tiny tweak, or the process is so convoluted it takes hours. If managing your website feels like Sisyphus shoving his boulder uphill, or you haven’t touched your site in years, it’s a sign it’s time for a more user-friendly solution with a website redesign.
Signs to look out for:
Reliance on developers for basic changes – If you can’t easily update a phone number, add a new blog post, or change a product price without a developer, your site is too complex and definitely needs a redesign.
Outdated or custom-built CMS – Some older websites were built on bespoke systems that are no longer supported or are incredibly difficult for non-technical users to navigate.
Lack of clear documentation – If you inherited the website, and there’s no clear guide on how to update it, you’re flying blind.
Security concerns – If your site is frequently targeted by spam or hacks, it may suggest underlying vulnerabilities that are difficult to manage.
What to do:
Migrate to a user-friendly CMS – Platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix offer intuitive interfaces that allow you to manage your content with ease, often without needing any coding knowledge.
Prioritise ease of use – When considering a new platform or a website redesign, ask about the content management system and how easy it is for non-technical users to make updates.
Invest in training – If you move to a new CMS, take advantage of any training resources or tutorials available. Understanding the basics can save you a lot of time and money down the line.
Implement regular backups and security measures – Ensure your website has automatic backups in place and robust security features to protect your data (and your reputation!).
Having a website that you can easily update yourself empowers you to keep your content fresh and relevant without incurring ongoing development costs. By redesigning your website into one easier to update, you gain much more control over your online presence. You can respond quickly to market changes, share news, and keep your customers informed, all while saving time and resources. This means your website will always be a dynamic and useful tool for your business. Perfect, right?
5. Your site doesn’t reflect your business today
Businesses evolve, products and services change, and your brand messaging might shift over time. If your website still talks about services or products you no longer provide, displays old pricing, or features outdated contact information, it’s not representing your business accurately.
Signs to look out for:
Outdated information – Are your contact details correct? Do you still offer all the services listed? Is your "About Us" section truly reflective of your current team and mission?
Inconsistent branding – Does your website’s tone of voice, visual style, and messaging align with your current marketing materials and social media presence?
Missing key information – Have you launched new products or services that aren't featured on your site? Are there customer testimonials that you haven't added?
Irrelevant content: Is there content on your site that’s no longer relevant to your target audience or your business goals?
What to do:
Conduct a content audit – Go through every page of your website and assess its relevance, accuracy, and effectiveness. Remove or update anything that’s no longer serving its purpose.
Update your messaging – Ensure your website’s copy clearly communicates your current value proposition, services, and brand message.
Showcase your latest offerings – Prominently feature any new products, services, or special offers. Make it easy for customers to find what’s new and exciting.
Refresh your “About Us” and Team pages – Introduce new team members, update bios, and ensure these pages reflect the personality and values of your current business.
Add recent testimonials, case studies or reviews – Social proof is incredibly powerful. Showcase your latest successes and happy customers!
When your website accurately reflects your current business, it builds trust and credibility with potential customers. They’ll see that you’re active, current, and serious about what you do, leading to more meaningful engagements and conversions. This ensures your website is always working to attract the right customers for your current business. And if they can easily see from your site how good you are from past customers’ positive feedback, then even better!
6. Your site’s not getting results
Ultimately, your website should be working for you. If you’re not seeing an increase in enquiries, sales, or whatever your key performance indicators (KPIs) are, then your website might not be doing its job effectively.
Signs to look out for:
Low website traffic – Are very few people visiting your site?
High bounce rate – Are people arriving on your site and then leaving almost immediately? This suggests they’re not finding what they need, or the experience is poor. As a guide, your average bounce rate should ideally be below 40% and anything above 55% needs your attention.
Few enquiries or sales – Are you rarely receiving emails, calls, or online purchases through your website? For an e-commerce site, a good conversion rate is around 2% to 3%, although this can vary depending on your industry.
Poor search engine ranking – When you search for your business or its services, does your website appear low down in the search results, or not at all?
Lack of analytics data – Do you know how your website is performing? If you don't have analytics set up, you're flying blind.
What to do:
Implement website analytics – Tools like Google Analytics provide invaluable insights into who is visiting your site, where they’re coming from, what they’re looking at, and how long they stay. This data is crucial for identifying areas for improvement.
Review your Calls to Action (CTAs) – Are your CTAs clear, compelling, and easy to find? Do they tell visitors exactly what you want them to do next (e.g., “Get a Quote,” “Buy Now,” “Contact Us”)?
Utilise Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) – Ensure your website is structured in a way that search engine crawlers can easily understand. This involves using relevant keywords, having good quality content, and ensuring your site is technically sound. Consider professional SEO services if you need help.
Create engaging content – Regular blog posts, articles, videos, and other content can attract visitors and position you as an authority in your field.
Integrate with social media – Make it easy for visitors to share your content and connect with you on social media. Adding links to your social media in your site’s footer and Contact pages can go a long way!
Consider paid advertising – If organic search isn't enough, consider targeted paid advertising campaigns like Google Ads or social media ads to drive relevant traffic to your site.
By focusing on results, you transform your site from a passive presence into an active tool for growth. After all, a modern site should support your goals! You’ll be attracting more of the right people, converting more visitors into customers, and ultimately seeing a tangible return on your online investment. Your website will become a powerful engine for your business’s success, just the way it should be. Good stuff.
If this list sounds a little too familiar, don’t worry just yet. Luckily, recognising that some of the above signs apply to your outdated website is the first step towards finding the right solution. Now is the perfect time for a website redesign, and here at Webcentral, we can help you modernise your site without lifting a finger — we design it, build it, and keep it updated for you. Why not give us a shout? [See how it works].
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