As a website copywriter, I obviously make money when clients decide it’s time to get a new website. So I want to start this post with a disclaimer: I genuinely DO NOT want you to invest in a new website until it’s the right time. Check out this blog post on the 3 things I think you need to know about your business before you pay for a professional website.

But there comes a time in your journey as a service-based business owner when you need to take the plunge and invest in a new website. 

So, how do you know when it’s time to take that step?

Here are 7 signs it’s time for a new website:

1. Your website isn’t driving leads and conversions. This is the number one reason for me because this is the MAIN purpose of your website. If your website isn’t helping you get qualified leads and convert browsers into buyers, it’s not doing its job.

2. You’ve got website shame. If you don’t actually want to share your website with people because you don’t love it, then it’s time for a new site. You should be EXCITED to share your website with your audience, not embarrassed when they ask for your URL.

3. Your copy is unclear. Your website should make it abundantly clear WHAT you do and HOW that helps your ideal client. If it doesn’t, it’s time to go back to the drawing board with your messaging and revamp your website copy.

4. Your brand voice and personality are not reflected in your website. Your website should give your potential clients a feel for what it’s like to work with you. If they’re getting the wrong message from your website, you’re probably missing out on clients.

5. Your site looks old and outdated. Looks really do matter when it comes to your online presence. Many people will click away in just a few seconds if your site looks like it was built in 1998. So if your website looks outdated, especially compared to your competitors’, it’s time to update. Disclaimer: I’m not saying to copy your competitors’ websites AT ALL. Your site should absolutely be authentic to you. However, if your site is clearly outdated in design and functionality compared to your competitors, you are going to be at a disadvantage.

6. You can’t make minor updates easily. This is something you might overlook, but it is huge. If it’s a huge hassle to make little changes on your website—and especially if you’re paying a lot of money to have minor updates done—stop! Time for a new website. (Shameless plug: our Booked & Branded websites are made in ShowIt and they are SO easy to update. Our goal is to hand your site off to you, not to have you keep coming back and paying for little changes you can easily make yourself.)

7. Your website isn’t mobile friendly. If your website doesn’t look good and function well on a mobile device, this is a much bigger problem than you might think. In 2020, 61% of visits to U.S. websites were from mobile devices. Your site HAS to be mobile friendly, period.

Bonus sign: You can afford it. Let me be so clear here. I DO NOT advocate for business owners “investing” (read: going into debt) in a new website when they simply do not have it in the budget yet. If it’s not feasible for you to pay for a new site yet, then that is a crystal clear sign to me that there are other things you should be doing before you get a new website—IE making sales and raising your prices. You don’t need a website to do those things. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Are You Seeing the Signs?

Friend, if you’re seeing the signs and you know it’s time to up your website game, let’s get to it!

Check out Booked & Branded for my full done-for-you website package, or the Brand Copy Toolkit if you just need to update your messaging.