Every business needs a website, but simply having one isn’t enough. To attract customers and generate profit, your site must be regularly updated and improved. And you must remember, regardless of the platform you work on, even if its a small flower shop or an online sports betting where you can bet only on one sport. If you want to know the 10 most obvious signs of an outdated website and how to address these issues, read on.
Outdated Design
Many companies with websites created in the 2000s or early 2010s suffer from this. What once looked stylish now appears as ancient as an old TV tuning table. Key signs of outdated design include:
- Morally outdated colors and styles (gradients, shadows, light text on dark backgrounds).
- Small, hard-to-read fonts.
- Large, low-resolution images.
- Frames dividing pages into independent sections.
- Use of outdated technologies (Flash, old plugins).
- Overloaded pages with too many elements (images, animations, ads) and no white space.
- Lack of consistency in colors, fonts, and styles.
Modern websites embrace minimalism, intuitive navigation, and clear typography. The goal is to make user interaction simple.
How to Fix It: Redesign your website. Hire a designer if possible, or use modern templates. Choose a color scheme that aligns with your brand and use tools like ColorScheme or Coolors for harmonious combinations. Replace outdated fonts with trendy ones like Golos, Lack, Bebas Neue, or Bitter. Remove unnecessary elements that don’t add value.
Stock Photos
Even paid stock images often look unnatural and can alienate visitors. It’s better to use photos taken specifically for your business, such as images of your office, production process, products, or team.
If a photoshoot isn’t feasible, consider using AI-generated images, but ensure they look attractive and natural.
Keyword Overload
While optimizing content for search engines is important, excessive keyword stuffing is a red flag. If keywords are unnaturally inserted, highlighted in bold, or listed at the bottom of the page, visitors will leave, and search engines may penalize your site.
How to Fix It: Revise your content. Write natural, user-focused texts that are easy to read, with subheadings, bullet points, and proper formatting. Keep keyword density at 1-2% and use synonyms or variations.
Complicated Interface and Confusing Navigation
A site with too many nested pages, confusing navigation, non-standard icons, long forms, and no hints frustrates users. If visitors can’t quickly find contact details or browse your catalog, they’ll leave for competitors.
How to Fix It: Simplify navigation—users should reach any section within 3 clicks. Use simple, friendly fonts and colors. Streamline forms and add features like “Buy in 1 Click” or “Request a Callback.” If you have a catalog, implement user-friendly filters.
Pro Tip: Place standard elements (login, contact info, cart) in familiar locations, like the top-right corner, and the search bar at the top center.
A “Check-the-Box” Website
A site that exists just to have an online presence, without updates or improvements, is useless—or worse, harmful. Visitors may assume the company is no longer operational.
How to Fix It: Regularly update content, publish news and articles, and keep contact details, office hours, and other key information current.
No Mobile Version
Around 75% of users access the internet via smartphones. If your site lacks a mobile-friendly version, you’re losing potential customers.
How to Fix It: Ensure your site is responsive. Most modern templates are mobile-ready, so this is easier to address during a redesign. Test your site on various devices to ensure it looks good everywhere.
404 Errors
A “404: Page Not Found” error appears when a page is deleted, moved, or renamed. Users who encounter this will likely leave, harming your site’s performance and search engine rankings.
How to Fix It: Regularly check for broken links using tools like Yandex Webmaster or Google Search Console. Create a custom 404 page with links to key sections to encourage users to stay.
Missing Contact Information
Without up-to-date phone numbers, emails, addresses, or payment details, users can’t reach you—and may doubt your company’s legitimacy.
How to Fix It: Add contact details, an online chat, a feedback form, and links to your social media and messaging apps. This builds trust and makes interaction easier.
Lack of Brand Identity
With so many businesses online, standing out is crucial. A memorable, cohesive design helps.
How to Fix It: Develop a brand identity with a consistent color palette, fonts, logos, and visual elements. Consider adding unique touches, like a mascot, to use across your site and marketing materials.
No Regular Updates
A website isn’t a “set it and forget it” tool. To boost sales, expand your customer base, and enhance your reputation, you must continuously improve it.
How to Fix It: Treat your website as an ongoing project. Regularly update content, optimize performance, and adapt to new trends and technologies.
