It’s always interesting to talk with potential clients who come to us to talk about redesigning their website. The conversation often goes something like this:
“We really need a website redesign. We had it designed a couple years ago and we get absolutely no hits or leads. We think it’s time for a change.”
Hmm. Okay, that’s great for recognizing that you aren’t actually generating leads from your website. But unless you are using a website built in 1999, having an outdated website isn’t always the issue. Granted, having an easy to use CMS (content management system) is extremely crucial, but in 99% of cases a website redesign isn’t the core of the problem. It’s how a company markets the website.
I’m not talking about traditional marketing where you place an ad in a magazine and have your website listed on the ad itself. I’m talking about inbound marketing that actually draws people from other areas of the web to your website. Sure, we can redesign your website, but I can promise you that if you don’t put any sort of marketing effort into the website after it’s launch, we will be having this conversation again in another two years. Websites are only as good as how you use them. It’s a tool. A vital tool, at that, and I can promise you that no matter how many times you list your website on a business card or ad, it’s not going to draw in any leads.
So how do you know if you truly need a website redesign? You need to be asking the right questions first. We look at a few things when we are meeting with a client to determine if they need an overhaul:
1. Do you have a blog or are you capable of integrating a blog on the website?
2. How are you able to update content on your website? Can you make updates easily without using software such as Dreamweaver?
3. Are your social media links integrated in your website?
4. Is it visual? And by visual, I mean is it capable of having visuals added to it? It’s okay if the photos are outdated and old. Those can be changed out. As long as the framework is there, we can work with it.
If all of those pieces are there, you may not actually need a website redesign. What you may need are some design tweaks and a solid marketing strategy that answers the question, “How do we get visitors to our website that turn into leads that turn into customers?”
If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, perhaps you really do need a website redesign but are at least more knowledgeable in what you should be asking for as part of your web design strategy.
Need more information? Contact us and schedule a one-hour session to talk about how we can help you with your web design or marketing needs.
photo credit: jm3 via photopin cc
