A website can look fine to its owner and still quietly cost them customers. If a few of these sound familiar, it may be time for a redesign.
1. It’s awkward to use on a phone
If visitors have to pinch and zoom, or buttons are too small to tap, many will simply leave. Google also primarily looks at the mobile version of a site when it indexes it, so a poor mobile experience affects how you're found too.
2. It’s slow to load
Large images, old plugins and heavy code all add up. People are rarely patient with a page that takes a long time to appear.
3. Visitors can’t tell what you do
Someone landing on your homepage should understand what you offer, who it's for and where you are within a few seconds.
4. It doesn’t bring in enquiries
If the phone and inbox are quiet even though people visit, the site may be missing a clear next step: a visible phone number, a simple contact form, a booking button.
5. It looks dated
Visitors judge the look of a site almost instantly, and an old design can make a business seem out of date even when it isn't.
6. You can’t update it yourself
If changing opening hours or adding a photo means waiting for a developer, the site will fall behind. A modern site should let you make everyday changes on your own.
7. It no longer matches your business
New services, a new logo, a new direction: if your website still describes the business you were five years ago, it's telling customers the wrong story.
Redesign or rebuild?
Not every problem needs a brand-new site. Sometimes clearer content, better photos and a tidy-up of the mobile layout make a big difference. Other times the platform itself is the problem. Redesigns are a regular part of our work at 1A8 Studio, and that's always the first question worth answering.
Your turn
How many of the seven did you tick for your own website?