Websites are likes maps to your brand. They help your customers and website visitors understand what they should know and where they should go to consume relevant information. But if your website is riddled with outdated information, poor graphics and (gasp!) stock photos, your visitors will sense that your brand is outdated and ingenuine. Whether you’re a new business ready to put some money into digital marketing, or you’ve had your business for years and your website looks that way, make sure all of these web design holes are patched up immediately.
Outdated Design - If you still have the same exact website you paid for back in 2005, your website is outdated. Honestly, if you have the same website graphics from two years ago, it’s outdated. Hire a professional web designer to consistently update your website with new information and up-to-date visuals that communicate to visitors that you’re still relevant.
Stock Images Everywhere - All those “happy families” and “perfectly stacked sandwiches” aren’t fooling people anymore--everyone can spot a stock image, and because of their overuse visitors are desensitized to them. In a sense, you would probably be better off not having any photos, although we don’t recommend it. Invest in professional photography for your brand, so you can be sure no one else on the planet has the same visual content as you. Those kind of details make a huge difference when customers are comparing your brand with competitors.
Unnecessary or Superfluous Design - One of the key rules of design is, “Less is more.” Clean, uncluttered design is much more appealing to the eye--and when your customer’s eyes are happy, they’re more likely to buy your products. Cluttered design frustrates people and they will associate that frustration with your brand.
Unclear Site Path - Your homepage may be pretty, but if your visitors don’t understand where to go next, they will leave. Part of excellent website development involves designing a pathway for your visitors to follow on the site. Think of it as a road to different destinations that lead them to relevant information and other benefits they may not have known existed. A poor or absent pathway will be confusing and frustrating.
Confusing or Unclear Links - Go ahead, be witty. Throw your wit and sense of humor all over the site, but don’t be funny in your links. This is the equivalent of making jokes on road signs. People don’t want to laugh when they’re lost. Keep things clear.
Outdated or Invisible Contact Info - Don’t make it difficult to find your physical location. Make sure all your information is visible on the website and available on different platforms outside of your website as well.
Have any of these issues with your website? Call our Sonoma County Web Designers to get your website back in shape.
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