5 Signs Your Website Needs a Refresh (And How to Fix It Without Starting from Scratch)
Your website is often the first impression people get of your church, nonprofit, or small business. But over time, even the best sites can start to feel outdated or not perform as well as they should. Don’t worry — you don’t need to start from scratch! Sometimes, a few simple updates can make a world of difference. Here are 5 signs your website needs a refresh, and how you can bring it back to life without a full redesign.
1. Your Website is Slow to Load
We’ve all been there: waiting for a website to load and feeling frustrated when it takes too long. If your website is slow to load, visitors might not even stick around long enough to see what you have to offer. A slow website not only annoys visitors but can also hurt your SEO rankings. Google takes page speed seriously, and a slow site can push you down in search results.
How to fix it:
Optimise your images: Large images can slow things down. Use tools like TinyPNG or Canva to compress them without losing quality.
Leverage caching plugins: Plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache can improve page load speed.
Upgrade your hosting: If your web hosting is outdated or slow, it might be time to upgrade for better performance.
2. Your Website Isn’t Mobile-Friendly
More people are browsing websites on their phones and tablets than ever before. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, you might be losing visitors who are having a hard time navigating on smaller screens. Having a mobile-optimised website is essential for both user experience and SEO. Google loves responsive sites, and if yours isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be missing out on search traffic.
So, what can you do?
Use a responsive design: Make sure your website adjusts to fit any screen size. Most platforms, like Squarespace or Wix, offer mobile-friendly templates.
Test your site on different devices: Ensure everything looks good and functions properly on various screen sizes.
Simplify your navigation: Keep menus short and easy to use on smaller screens for a better mobile experience.
Ensuring your website is mobile-friendly is essential for a smooth user experience. Keep your audience engaged no matter where they browse!
3. Your Content is Outdated or Irrelevant
An outdated website can make your business, church, or nonprofit feel disconnected. If your content isn’t updated regularly, visitors may feel like you’re not active or engaged. Fresh content is key to engaging your audience and keeping your website aligned with your current goals. Plus, it helps with your SEO since search engines prefer sites with new, relevant content.
You can start by taking some simple steps.
Update your copy: Review your website’s text and make sure it’s still relevant and engaging. Refresh old content to reflect any changes in your mission or services.
Swap out old stock photos: Replace outdated images with fresh, branded visuals that better represent your mission and brand identity.
Revisit older blog posts: If you have blog posts that are still valuable, update them with new information or statistics to keep them relevant. Consider redesigning these posts to make them more appealing to your audience.
it’s important to regularly refresh your site’s content to keep it relevant and engaging for your audience.
4. Your Website Lacks Clear Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Without clear CTAs, visitors may not know what action to take next. If your website doesn’t guide people to book a meeting, sign up for a newsletter, or get in touch, you’re missing out on valuable opportunities. Effective CTAs are essential for converting visitors into leads or customers. Whether you're aiming for someone to make a purchase, donate, or engage with your services, having a clear and compelling CTA simplifies the decision-making process for them.
To ensure your CTAs are effective:
Strategically place your CTAs: Position them in prominent areas such as your homepage, service pages, and blog posts. Don’t let your visitors search for how to take action.
Use action-oriented language: Phrases like “Book Your Free Consultation” or “Donate Today” create a sense of urgency and excitement. Avoid vague language like “Click Here” to make your intent clear.
Make your CTAs visually stand out: Use contrasting colours, bold text, and noticeable buttons to ensure your CTAs are easy to find and hard to ignore.
These small changes can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your CTAs, guiding your visitors to take the actions that benefit both them and your business.
5. Your Website Isn’t Converting Visitors into Leads or Customers
If your website is getting traffic but you’re not seeing the results you want — like sign-ups, donations, or purchases — it’s time to reassess your strategy. Your website should guide visitors toward taking action. Whether that’s joining your church, signing up for a service, or donating to your cause, your site should be designed to convert visitors into meaningful connections.
Here’s how you can boost conversions:
Analyse website data: Use tools like Google Analytics to pinpoint where visitors are leaving your site and which pages are performing well. This will give you insight into areas that need improvement.
Create dedicated landing pages: Focus on one clear action per page, such as signing up for a newsletter, booking a meeting, or making a donation. This reduces distractions and directs visitors toward your goals.
Offer value in exchange for action: Consider offering free resources, a limited-time discount, or a consultation in exchange for visitors’ contact information. This can incentivise them to take that final step.
By making these adjustments, you’ll guide your visitors smoothly from passive browsing to taking action, turning them into leads or customers.
Tracking website performance with Google Analytics helps you identify areas for improvement and measure the success of your website refresh.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Start Over
A website refresh can be a simple, cost-effective way to improve your site’s performance without going through the hassle of a full redesign. By addressing the 5 signs above, you can make meaningful improvements to your website that will engage visitors, boost conversions, and help you achieve your goals.
If you're ready to give your website a refresh, we’d love to help! Contact us today for a free consultation, and let’s make sure your website is doing everything it can to support your mission.
Why Choose One Church Digital for Your Website Refresh?
We’re here to help you create a website that reflects your mission and values. We specialise in creating beautiful, functional websites for churches, nonprofits, and small businesses. Whether you need a quick refresh or a major update, we’ve got you covered.
