The average life span of a website design is about 3 years. Does that mean you then have invest a bunch of money to build a new one? Not necessarily. If your website was built using a content management system (CMS), virtual includes, properly organized HTML/CSS, or a similar strategy to separate your website’s content with the look and feel then it may be easier than you think to get that brand new website.
For example, Web Ascender often uses the content management system DotNetNuke to build our clients’ websites. Using this CMS, all of the actual site content and information is stored separately from the design files in a database. Therefore, if you wanted to make your website look different it would be a pretty painless endeavor.
If it has been over a year since you had your website developed, here are some ideas or features you could add to bring in some new life!
Get an Updated Design
You may not have to re-build your entire website, but review it for ways that it can be improved upon. This industry moves fast, changes can be made to your site to perform better on different screen resolutions and mobile devices. Even the best practices for the web have changed since last year, so spending some time to review the look of your website and how it positions your company is a good idea every year or two.
Review Your Sitemap and Content
If your website was built using a CMS it should be easy to rename pages, update content, and continue to add value to your visitors with pretty minimal effort. Take the time to walk through your site, review each page, and see what other services you now offer, what new products you have, or what additional information you can offer to your visitors.
Add a Blog or News Section
Create a way to provide information to your current customers or prospects.
Do a Search Engine Optimization Review
Unfortunately, your website won’t magically show up for the search terms you want. If you are noticing that your website isn’t showing up for the terms you would like it to, work with your developer or a company to review this quarterly or annually. Putting a long term strategy into place can ensure that you continually improve your search engine position.
Review your ‘Call to Action’
On each of your websites pages, do you have a clear next step? Maybe it is to pick up the phone and place a call, perhaps it is to buy a product or fill out a contact form? Make sure there is something the user can do next. Sometimes it’s as simple as making sure your phone number and address are visible and easy to access.
Add a Shopping Cart to Your Website
If you sell products in your store and you don’t already sell them online, consider starting an online store. The cost of adding e-commerce to a website is easier than ever before. Especially with new checkout options like PayPal and Google Checkout this can often be added without having to do a lot of work with your bank.
Add a Client or Member’s Only Area
Can you offer additional content on your website that only existing clients or members should be able to access? This could be useful files to download, exclusive access to education materials, documents specifically for them, or ways for them to ask questions or get additional support.
Add a Mobile Version of Your Website
How many of your visitors are accessing your website from their mobile device? Sure it may only be 1% – 5% today but this market will continuing to grow.
Integrate Social Media
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, FourSquare, and other social media outlets are not a good fit for all businesses. However, you should evaluate at what level you should start to get involved with these online discussion and communication platforms. Lot’s of conversations are happening, probably some about services or products you provide. If you start listening and get involved with discussions, it could open you up to a new market and additional opportunities.