20 Warning Signs Your Website Needs an Upgrade

The Marketing Squad
By: The Marketing Squad
Reading Time: 4 minutes
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"Danger, Will Robinson! Danger!"

This old quote from Lost in Space immediately plays in my head when I see some websites. Like any other normal person, I use the internet to search for information. This could be the latest movie times, replacing my dad's trailer hitch, or even researching where I want to go on vacation next. With that said, I'm devastated and frustrated when I search for your specific company or even just a general search term like "Louisville scuba shops" and get a site that I can't even navigate. I'm pretty website savvy, so when even I have trouble, then "Danger! Danger!" with sirens and flashing lights should be going off in your head.

So, anyone can say that your website is bad, but how can you tell? I'll help you out and create a checklist. If you can even check off a few, then your website needs an upgrade.

20 Warning Signs That Your Website Is Out-of-Date

Alright, so it's a little ironic that I'm talking about things being out-of-date when I started the blog with a quote from the 90's. However, unlike movies, websites cannot be everlasting classics (not that I'm calling Lost in Space an everlasting classic), but websites are never a done deal. They have to change with the times and get an upgrade every once in a while. Think about your wardrobe. Is it the same as the 90's? I hope not. An out-dated website makes you look like you're not up with the times, as well as says that your online customer is not on the top of your priority list.

Thus, leading into our list...

1. Autoplaying. If you have music playing or someone walking out on your website and talking --- stop now. This instantly dates your website. It's annoying and is now considered a joke.

2. Not Mobile-Responsive. I'm sure you've heard this before, but it's essential. I'll admit, I'm a millennial, but I'm not the only one using a tablet or cell phone to search--- so are my dad, my little cousin, and my grandmother. We will all leave if your website isn't responsive to our various devices. So, not having a mobile-responsive website is not just annoying to consumers, it's detrimental to your business.

3. Identity Crisis. This could go two ways.

A. Your website makes no sense. If you're a modern technology company, but your website looks like you're selling country real estate, then you have a problem. You want your website to align with what you do. When someone comes to your website, they should instantly identify who you are and what you do.

B. Crazy clutter. If you have more ads than an actual website flashing on the screen, then you might as well turn off the site. No one will stay and fight to figure out your message versus your ads.

4. Wrong or Missing Info. Does your website have "check out our 2012 offerings," talk about discontinued products, or even give wrong or missing contact info? Do you often come across a 404 Error? All of these are a turn-off. You are not only missing an opportunity, but you're also losing potential prospects. No one can make an informed decision if you don't even give them the proper info. You need to fix your website copy and add in some links ASAP.

5. Low-Res Images. Everyone and their grandma has high-definition cameras, even on their phones. So there's no excuse if all of your images are so grainy that I have to squint to see them.

6. Not Personal. In today's market, there are so many businesses similar to you that I could go to five others instead of yours. So, make sure that your website creates a connection with your potential customers. This could be with personable copy or even photos of your real employees and building. If I come to your site and have no idea who you are and what makes you special, why should I even bother?

7. Bad Content. Duplicate copy, poorly written sentences, or even keyword stuffing --- you need some help.

8. No Call-to-Action or Forms. Why am I there? If I want more info, but I don't have a clear line of what to do next, then there's a severe break in your funnel.

9. Not Helpful. I'm at your website, but I'm not learning anything. I can't find info on how to use your product, about your story, or even an ebook on your industry. Help a girl out and give me what I'm looking for.

10. No social. If you don't have consistent social media posts and if you don't have social media links on your site, I wonder how much you're really up with the times. Not only that, but if you are keeping up with social but aren't linked to them on your site, then you're wasting a possible resource.

11. Pop Ups. The bane of a website users' existence. Everyone hates them. So, don't have them all over your site.

12. Throwbacks. Some color schemes and graphics might have been popular decades ago, but they aren't now. You don't need a black background with multi-colored text and glitchy animation.

13. Too Many Pages. No one wants to sift through 50 pages on one website. That's too much.

14. Bad Flow. If I come to your website and can't understand where to look or where to go, then something is wrong. I say that if you ever have to explain something to someone to find or understand anything on your site, then it wasn't done right. I shouldn't need a guide to your website.

15. Bad Spacing. If you have too much space to the point that I can park a smart car, then tighten it up. If you have no breathing room between the massive amount of text, pictures, and blocks of colors, then give it some space.

16. Broken Links. If I get a 404 on a regular basis on your website, then that means I can't get to those essential pages.

17. Copy Heavy. If I go to a page and feel like I'm reading a novel, then there's too much copy.

18. Flash. Why should I download a program simply to look at your site?

19. Copy Cat. If you're copying a competitor in any way, that looks unoriginal and petty. Can you really not separate yourself from the competition?

20. No Way to Contact. If I want to buy a product or ask a question, I want to be able to contact you. If I can't---you just lost a sale. And not just from me, but from all of my friends, too.

Your website is often the first impression I have of your business. Make sure it's a good one. If your website checks off any or a lot of these warning signs, then you should be alarmed---danger, danger!

Check out how we approach website design on our website or contact us to get the process started. If you decide to work with us or not, either way, for the sake of your customers and business, please update your site...soon.

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