How To Know Your Site Needs Updating

How long does a website last? How long is a piece of string? Can’t help you with that second one, but we can tell you that most websites are in need of a refresh after just 2 years, and a full rebuild a few years after that.

It’s not what you want to hear, I know, but that’s the price we pay to live in a world where technology and trends are constantly evolving. What’s brand new now becomes old hat very quickly.

So how do you know if your site has reached retirement age? Here's the most common pain points that come with an ageing website. How does yours stack up?

It Has No Mobile Version

Let’s start with one of the biggest problems, lack of a mobile friendly version. The web exists in our pockets now, with nearly 60% of all traffic around the globe now coming from mobile devices.

If your site still isn’t mobile friendly, it’s causing you to annoy countless customers and potential customers. It’s also costing you SERP rankings, Mobilegeddon has been around since 2015. If you somehow haven’t updated by now, you absolutely must.

It’s Incompatible with Modern Technology

Another big issue, one that also hurts both you and your customers. Web standards have come a long way in a short time, and the technologies we used to rely on have been replaced again and again.

Flash is dead, webrings went out the window forever ago, and payment methods and social media platforms rise and fall every few years.

If your website is built on older technology, you’re probably finding there are just some things it can’t do. Tech developers aren’t interested in offering legacy support, so if there’s a new must-have feature you can’t offer, upgrading your site is your only option.

It Looks or Feels Outdated

Do you remember the days when every website had an under construction gif at the bottom, or are we just showing our age? Either way, the point is that some things just scream outdated, and you don’t want your site to be one of them.

Sometimes it’s in the visuals, sometimes it’s in the way it feels to use the site, but everyone knows when something isn’t quite what they feel it should be. If you’re having trouble putting your finger on the problem, get a professional to help you diagnose it, and then make a plan to treat it.

It’s a Pain to Operate

Sometimes a site is well liked by the customers visiting it, but you end up hating it anyway. This is usually because the backend that you have to interact with is a painful mess.

Worse than that, a clunky or out-of-date backend tends to be a lot slower than one that’s more modern and streamlined. If the systems you have to use to operate your site are an outdated mess they’re not just costing you your sanity, they’re also costing you valuable time.

You’re Jealous of Other Websites

Is your website something you can be proud of? Or do you look at other sites resentfully, wishing you could be so lucky? Well good news, you can be.

If you find yourself overtaken with jealousy looking at other sites, do yourself a favour and identify why. What have they got that you don’t? Once you know, get your site updated to match them, or even better, surpass them.

If you find yourself grappling with one of these issues, a refresh is likely in your future. If you’re struggling with several at once, it’s probably time to replace your website entirely.

Don’t let a worn out website drag you down, keep yours up to date and enjoy the perks of all the latest developments.