Signs you need a website

Seven signs you need a new website for your business

The first and oldest web domain on the Internet is symbolics.com, founded in 1985. It recently updated its look and feel to keep up with modern search and user trends.

Web design might sometimes seem like an unnecessary expense for some small business owners. It's quite the opposite. User habits and Google search algorithms change regularly, so you're missing out on valuable traffic (and potential customers) if you're not consistently modernizing your website.

But how do you know when it's time to upgrade—or build your first site? Below, we highlight seven key signs that a small business needs a new website.

Read on to see if they apply to you!

1. You still don't have a website


Shockingly, many small businesses in America don't have a website.

It might be acceptable if your business is an independent gas station in a high-traffic area, but it poses a significant problem for others. Without a website, you're missing out on many potential leads.

Fortunately, this is a problem that can be resolved quickly. There's never been a better time to access affordable website design. Today, websites are reasonably priced to host, affordable and quick to design, and easy to maintain, so long as you work with a savvy provider.
 

2. Your current website is ugly or outdated


The adage goes: Never judge a book by its cover. That doesn't work well regarding your online presence.

The main goal of your website is to attract and engage visitors, encouraging them to interact with it as the entity hosting it needs them to. This might involve buying a product (an e-commerce business), requesting a service quotation (from a plumber or roofer), or making an appointment (at a doctor's office). However, one study found that close to 40% of visitors will discontinue their time on a website if it is not pleasing to them.

So, if your website looks like it's from 2013 instead of 2025, it's time to invest in a website redesign—ASAP!
 

3. Your website is not mobile-friendly


You're probably glued to your smartphone. After all, the average user spends over 3 hours A DAY scrolling socials, websites, emails, podcasts, and more on their phone.

Well, suggesting your customers are doing the same thing is not a wild assertion. You also need to ensure that your company website functions well on desktops and adapts to the smaller screens people now use.

That's because nearly 60% of web traffic comes from a mobile device—a smartphone, tablet, or laptop.

Thankfully, most website builders today use responsive design technology, making it easy to adapt to this new reality.
 

4. You're not getting the results you expect from your site


You've nailed that all-important first impression. Your website looks great on mobile. Yet, you're still not attracting those all-important leads—at least, not as many as you'd hoped.

If your conversions are low, it could be because your website design isn't optimized to aid your customers' journey through your sales funnel. They might find you, but once they're on your site, they get lost in where to go or what to do next.

A redesign focusing on clear calls to action can help you achieve your conversion goals.
 

5. Business is slow, and sales are stagnating


You've had a legitimate business for a long time, and your website once served you well. People could find you and contact you via phone or the contact form on your website to inquire about your services.

Today, those people just aren't coming. So what's going on?

Your aging website is likely not optimized for inbound marketing. You must ensure it includes places where you can provide your visitors with educational and helpful information that addresses their pain points and helps them trust your expertise.
 

6. You have a high bounce rate


Google Analytics defines a bounce rate as the percentage of visitors who view only a single page on your website. This means the analytics program counts the number of people who only stay on the website they first click through to—say, from the Google search results page—and then click away from your website immediately or shortly after.

A high bounce rate is considered to be anywhere between 56% and 70% (or higher). This can be interpreted as your website lacking sufficient relevant content to keep visitors engaged and exploring.

To remedy this, you need to upgrade your website so that it offers people a place to go at all stages of their experience.
 

7. Your website isn't secure


If your website fails to meet security standards, it will be penalized in Google searches. And this means no one will be able to find you. Also, visitors who perceive your website as unsafe are unlikely to trust you.

Modern websites require a minimum of an SSL certificate. This is a fundamental trust signal for visitors and Google. However, some small businesses may need to consider upgrading to a more secure solution, especially if they collect sensitive personal client data.
 

We build small business websites that work


If you think you need a new website, trust your gut. If it says "yes," you probably needed to invest yesterday. If even one of the points above resonates with you, it's time to invest in an upgrade.

Perhaps your customers complain they can't find what they need on your website. Perhaps you're concerned that clients aren't finding you online at all. Can you navigate your website properly and upload new content?

We specialize in affordable web solutions and small business websites that are effective, optimized, and secure. Contact our agency to discuss your new website.

 
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