How to tell when your website needs serious updates

How long have you been wrestling with a website that doesn't meet your standards?

It may have been good enough when you started, but now that you've grown, it no longer reflects your business or appeals to your customers. It probably became frustrating to manage on your own, or you looked at the cost of a professional web designer and immediately closed the tab.

Either way, you put your website on the bottom of your priorities list. Why stress about it if you're still making sales?

Here's a secret: an update can turn your steady sales into major growth.

So now you're asking, "How do I know when my website needs an update?" Let me tell you.

Your images don't fit

You've been using the same pictures, and they're tiring or... irrelevant. Brand images are certainly worth the investment. In fact, I have some coming soon with my gal Makenna Giudice.

Me waiting for my brand shoot

But what about when you don't have the time or budget for a new brand shoot until next year? Or the year after?

I'm usually one of the last people to recommend stock photos. I love authenticity and seeing behind

the scenes (even if it's a bit messy). But sometimes it's your best bet.

Try DupePhotos; they have a ton of aesthetic photos for every vibe.

It's not relevant to your brand

What does your brand value? What are your goals? If a lead can't tell after looking at your website for 60 seconds, it needs work. Your online presence should represent how you communicate with clients.

I prefer a conversational approach. Working with small businesses and independent authors means trust must really be earned; your work becomes your baby. My priority is authenticity, which helps me develop relationships with clients. It reflects who I am, what my goals are, and that clients are my priority.

Your site is outdated

When was the last time you completely remodeled your website? If it was before 2020, it's time. Your website should be updated at least every two years to keep up with client trends and user experiences.

I recently had a client who had me completely rewrite their copy and design their website. They had not touched their site since the early 2000s; pictures were low-resolution, copy was too technical, information was disorganized, and clients could never figure out how to pay their bills.

It was such a fun experience to modernize their website and make their communication with customers more efficient. And STBS offered them a package that didn't break the bank.

You're not seeing the results you want

You're not getting website visitors: low traffic numbers, no leads or sales, and high bounce rates. You can use your website analytics to diagnose the problem.

If you have low traffic, it might be an SEO (search engine optimization) problem; your site isn't getting visibility. Search engines aren't sure what your website is about and how to target your ideal audience. They use links from other platforms that lead directly to your site to drive traffic.

Start promotion on social media. Use Instagram, Facebook, X, and whatever else you use to advertise. Take advantage of stories and local Facebook groups. Have a blog? Post on Pinterest.

If you're not seeing any sales but have high bounce rates, it's a messaging problem. Is your headline clear? Can someone look at your landing page and immediately understand what you do? Your copy should be clear, conversational, and reflect your brand's mission and values.

Your website may not need a complete remodel. Try making a few changes here and there and see what works.

Need a professional copywriter? Contact STBS using the code "WEBHELP" and receive 10% off your first copy project.