7 Website Improvements to Consider

So you’ve decided to take the plunge and redesign/revamp your website. If you are still deciding if a new website is a good idea, read our guide to when to update a website to help you make up your mind. But what exactly needs to change, other than the obvious errors such as being unresponsive or a security risk? In this article, we will highlight seven website improvements to consider when talking to your new web designer.

1. Security

What platform was your website created on? What security is in place to protect you? Who is responsible for updates, backups and access controls? Your web designer should explain these arrangements clearly, including any ongoing maintenance that falls outside the initial build. Check for updates regularly and prioritise security releases promptly. Updates do not follow a universal weekly schedule, and a security plug-in cannot replace sound maintenance. Keep supported software current, maintain recoverable backups and test important functionality after changes. The official WordPress security guidance explains the wider responsibilities.

2. Add a CMS (Content Management System)

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing online market, it is essential that you can edit or expand your website yourself. With the addition of a CMS such as WordPress or Joomla, you are largely free to work on your own site for no extra cost, saving you lots of money for those little edits here and there. A CMS does not automatically make a website secure. Its configuration, hosting environment and ongoing maintenance all matter, so discuss who will keep the installation supported and who will respond if something goes wrong. As long as it is set up correctly and kept up to date, you will have access to a great number of free plug-ins. Utilising these products can enable you to have useful security measures in place, although suitability and maintenance matter more than the number of plug-ins installed. Why not view our website design portfolio.

3. Flexible contact solutions

Does your website have a contact form? The chances are your answer is yes, but is it performing to the best of its ability? Simply having a name, telephone, email and message field will be taking the essentials, but it could be doing a lot more. Talk to your designer about other possibilities such as expanding your form criteria to things like area placement, company details, client budget and even more specific project requirements. This can help you build a better picture of the project at hand before you make that initial phone call or email.

4. Email catchment and call to action

Two of the most common additions that we are asked for are opt-in email catchment forms and a call to action. Both can help visitors take a clear next step when they are relevant to the page. If you want to get someone’s email address for various reasons, such as newsletters or promotional work, then having a simple opt-in form is an easy way to facilitate this. A call to action on specific pages or in a focus area can give the viewer that extra nudge they need to make that all-important first contact.

5. Speed up your website

If a website is taking an overly long time to load on a mobile device or computer, the chances are the viewer will simply skip to the next website on the search engine. Older websites may have outdated code or assets that need attention. This may cause the website to run more slowly or even display completely wrong on some devices. If the site was created by an amateur then they may have used the wrong types of images that are not optimised for web use. There could also be plugins that are unnecessary, incompatible or too bulky for your website. The list is almost endless, so make sure your designer understands that a fast website is crucial in these days of mobile website viewing.

6. User interface isn’t everything

Good usability helps visitors find what they need, but don’t overlook aesthetics. Your website may be intuitive and easy to navigate, but a high bounce rate alone cannot tell you whether the design is the problem. Review visitor behaviour alongside page purpose, content and performance. Development and visual design require different skills, although one professional or team may provide both effectively. The code may be of high quality and the site may operate perfectly to your needs, but if there isn’t the magic injection of creativity there, audiences will give it a miss. Think about when you are surfing the web – when you reach a page that has that WOW factor you instantly take an interest in the content of the site. Make sure your site has good functionality, but don’t overlook the importance of creative web design.

7. Hosting and updates

Make sure that your designer (or you) is keeping your website updated. This helps reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities. Check compatibility with the plug-ins and external applications you use, and keep a recovery plan in case an update causes a problem. Also, discuss website hosting and email requirements with your designer. Compare support, backups, performance and renewal costs against your actual needs; no hosting provider can guarantee complete security or suit every project.

Reviewing these areas can help you prioritise improvements that support your business goals and make better use of your website budget. If you are interested in having your website redesigned or revamped, contact Dreamkatcha to discuss the next steps.