Signs It's Time For a Website Overhaul

Just like you can't go on slapping bandaids on serious wounds forever, there's a limit to how many quick fixes a tired website can endure. At some point, you've got to give the entire site an overhaul.

But how do you know when it's time?

From clunky navigation and high bounce rates to slow load times and thin content, here are common red flags signaling it’s time to revitalize your website.

User Experience Issues

Many business owners can't spot user experience issues—not only because they are too close to their own businesses but because, unlike prospective clients, they already know how to navigate their site. Evaluate your website like an outsider would by considering the following:

• High Bounce Rates: Users are impatient. If your website takes longer than 0-3 seconds to load, visitors will bounce faster than you can say “overhaul.”
• Difficult Navigation: Does your website have confusing menu structures that send users through a wormhole of landing pages? This may explain why users are abandoning your site.
• Low Content Density: Empty spaces with little or flimsy content make your website look unprofessional and incomplete. If your website does not offer valuable and substantive content, it may be time to beef up your strategy.
• Outdated Design & Images: If your website has late '90s AOL vibes or outdated photos, it’s time to refresh. Remember, design trends shift quickly, and what looked modern a couple of years ago might appear unflatteringly retro.
• Responsiveness Issues: Mobile devices account for over half of all web traffic. If users have to pinch screens to resize modules, you’re likely losing your audience.

Technical Problems

While not always visible to the average user, technical issues can cripple your website’s performance. Keep an eye out for these technical problems.

WordPress Plugins Breaking

Plugins can conflict with other plugins, making it difficult to tell which one is causing the problem. If this sounds familiar, it might be time to explore a custom solution by switching to our all-in-one platform, NEST™.

Rendering Issues

If your website looks different across browsers or devices, it’s a sign that your code needs a refresh.

Crawling & Indexing Issues

Google uses bots to crawl your website, and if they struggle to access or understand your content, your ranking will take a hit. The same applies to indexing: If Google cannot properly add your pages to its search database, they won't appear in search results, regardless of how great your content is.

The good news? Our SEO team can help you address both crawling and indexing issues.

Inability to Increase Rankings

If you’ve exhausted all SEO best practices and still cannot improve your search rankings, it may be time to outsource your site’s architecture or SEO strategy to us.

Content & Structure Concerns

Lack of organization or poor website presentation can be equally problematic. If you spot any of the following issues, a website overhaul may be necessary.

Not Enough Pages

A thin website with only a handful of pages may not provide enough information to satisfy both users and Google, which could hurt your site ranking. Each core service should have its own landing page with helpful content that meets Google quality standards.

Inappropriate Sitemap (No service pages)

Your website should accurately represent your business offerings. It should also be organized so users and Google can find key information.

Thin Content

Is your web content original, authoritative, written by a human, and helpful to users? If not, it may be time to give your website and content strategy an overhaul.

Inaccurate Content

Does your content accurately reflect your current service offerings, prices, hours, and location? Inconsistencies across your website can impact local search rankings, damage credibility, and hurt the user experience.

Google Violations & Legal Issues

Search engine violations and legal infractions can cost you more than a favorable ranking—manual actions and copyright infringement can lead to hefty legal fees and severe penalties.

Manual Actions

People have tried to trick their way to the top of search engines ever since there have been search engines. To fight spammers, Google penalizes sites that manipulate its search index. Avoid thin or duplicate content, redirects, unnatural links, or any manual actions violating Google’s spam policies.

DMCA Complaints Against the Site

Receiving a notice from the Digital Millennium Copyright Act means you may be breaking federal law. If you are hosting unauthorized copyrighted material, remove it immediately.

ADA Compliance Issues

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act, websites (just like physical businesses) must be accessible to people with disabilities. Failure to comply could mean hefty legal penalties, lawsuits, and missed opportunities. To avoid these unpleasant scenarios, we suggest partnering with an ADA compliance service specialist like WISE for a free website audit.

We Transform Website Woes Into Wins

Whether your website suffers from technical glitches, lacks structure that makes it difficult to navigate, or suffers from any of the challenges we mentioned here, WISE Digital Partners can help. Our team will ensure your website not only looks great and meets Google quality standards but also provides an exceptional user experience. Contact us today to unlock your site’s full potential!