Studies show that 80% of American consumers shop online. It’s not surprising, then, that having an online presence is imperative to small business owners. If you don’t have a strong online presence, you can’t expect to compete with the other businesses in your industry.

However, it’s not just about ranking high for keywords related to your brand. Yes, that’s an essential part of the equation. But you also need to think about the consumer experience you’re creating on your website.

This is what determines whether or not website visitors become paying customers. You must avoid making business website redesign mistakes if you want to generate leads, make sales, and build a successful company.

We’re here to help. Keep reading for a quick list of four mistakes to avoid while updating business websites.

1. Not Working With a Website Design Agency

First, unless you have experience and expertise in designing and developing websites, it’s best to leave this to the professionals. While there are some website-building platforms that make the task relatively straightforward, it’s not something you should risk.

Not only does building a website require technical backend coding, but every mistake you make will be felt by your customers. This might include:

• Slow loading times
• Improper formatting
• Links and buttons that don’t work properly
• Misaligned images, text, and video
• Difficult navigation
• And more

You can avoid these business website redesign mistakes by working with a professional right off the bat.

2. Not Placing an Emphasis on Branding

During your website redesign project, keep your eye on the prize. Don’t forget that this is all about branding for your company. Every aspect of your website will reflect on your business.

The fonts, colors, images, and videos you use should all coincide with your brand identity. When consumers visit your website, they should be met with a familiar and consistent experience.

3. Trying to Rank Your Homepage

One of the most common business website redesign mistakes is tiring to make your homepage rank high on Google. This is both unnecessary and potentially problematic.

First, you don’t want your homepage competing with other web pages on your site. You should strive to direct search engine users directly to the page they need, whether it’s a product page or a blog page.

Second, your business is going to evolve over time to include more niche products and services. If it ranks high now, it will most likely be outdated in a matter of months.

Follow this link to learn more about the type of SEO homepage content you should use.

4. Forgetting to Make Your Website Mobile-Friendly

Finally, in your new business design, don’t forget to ensure your site is optimized for mobile devices. A mobile-friendly website is imperative to your success, as most Americans own smartphones.

We use these for social media, chatting with friends, sending emails, and online shopping. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile devices, smartphone users will have a terrible time navigating your web pages. They’ll load slowly and incorrectly.

Based on the short attention span and demanding nature of modern consumers, this will result in a high bounce rate. They’ll quickly become frustrated, leave your site, and find one of your competitors.

Are You Making Business Website Redesign Mistakes?

If you’re making any of the business website redesign mistakes listed above, stop and rethink your tactics. Follow our guide to make sure you get positive results with this project.

And if you’re looking for more small business tips or digital marketing advice, you’re in the right place. Check out some of our other articles before you go.