When was the last time you really looked at your website?
I don’t mean clicking around to check if the contact form still works—I mean actually looked at it the way a visitor or potential customer would.
Does it still feel fresh, modern, and easy to use? Or does it feel... kinda clunky?
As someone who’s spent years designing websites and building custom CMS and eCommerce solutions for businesses of all sizes, I’ve seen one common truth: most sites don’t age gracefully. And that’s okay—technology evolves, trends shift, and user expectations keep climbing.
But here’s the kicker: your website is often your first impression. If it feels outdated or broken, you’re losing people before they even give your product or service a chance.
So how do you know when it’s time for a website redesign? Let’s dive into the five most common signs I see—and how I’d approach fixing them to turn your site into a lean, fast, high-converting machine.
1. It’s Not Mobile-Friendly
Remember the days when websites were only built for desktops? Yeah, that era is long gone. Over 60% of web traffic now comes from mobile devices. If your site isn’t responsive—meaning it doesn’t adapt beautifully to phones and tablets—you’re waving goodbye to more than half your potential audience.
What this looks like:
- Tiny text that’s impossible to read
- Buttons too small to tap
- Horizontal scrolling (ugh)
- Pages that take forever to load on mobile data
Why this matters:
A bad mobile experience increases bounce rate and kills conversions. It also hurts your SEO, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in its rankings.
What I’d Do Differently:
I build with mobile-first design in mind—always. Whether it’s a Shopify store or a custom-built Laravel + Next.js web app, responsiveness is baked in from the start. I use flexible grids, scalable fonts, and performance optimizations (like image lazy-loading and efficient media queries) to ensure your site looks amazing on any screen.
2. It Loads Too Slowly
Let me be blunt: people won’t wait.
According to Google, if your website takes longer than 3 seconds to load, more than half of users will bounce. That’s a massive leak in your sales funnel.
What this looks like:
- Endless spinners
- Lag before images/text show up
- Pages freezing when scrolling
- High bounce rate in Google Analytics
Why this matters:
Slow load times hurt both your user experience and your search rankings. It’s one of the biggest factors in why your website isn't converting visitors.
What I’d Do Differently:
Speed is my obsession. I optimize every part of a site’s stack—from clean, minimal codebases to compressed images, CDN integration, and smart caching strategies. When I use Next.js, I take full advantage of static site generation and server-side rendering for lightning-fast load times. If you’re on Shopify, I’ll trim unused apps and scripts, optimize assets, and improve your Core Web Vitals for better SEO and performance.
3. The Design Looks Outdated or Clunky
Let’s be real—web design trends change fast. What looked slick in 2016 might look like a MySpace page today.
What this looks like:
- Overused stock photos
- Drop shadows from 2009
- Inconsistent fonts or too many colors
- No clear visual hierarchy
- Cluttered layouts
Why this matters:
First impressions happen fast. If your site feels outdated, users subconsciously question your credibility, professionalism, and relevance. A modern, clean design builds trust and keeps people exploring.
What I’d Do Differently:
Good design is about clarity and purpose. I keep up with modern web design trends, but I also prioritize timeless UX principles—like visual hierarchy, whitespace, and intuitive navigation. Whether it’s a website revamp or full rebuild, I deliver a clean, professional look that reflects your brand and resonates with your target audience. Tools like Figma help me prototype layouts before a single line of code is written.
4. Users Are Bouncing (No Conversions, High Exit Rate)
A beautiful site doesn’t mean much if nobody’s clicking your CTA, buying your product, or signing up for your list.
What this looks like:
- Lots of traffic, but no leads or sales
- People drop off after the homepage
- No one fills out your forms
- Confusing user flows or buried CTAs
Why this matters:
This is the silent killer. You might not realize how many potential customers you’re losing until you audit your bounce rate and website performance.
What I’d Do Differently:
Conversion starts with clarity. I design every page with the user’s journey in mind—guiding them from interest to action. My process includes:
- Heatmap and user behavior analysis
- Strong calls-to-action in strategic places
- Clear value propositions
- SEO-friendly, conversion-optimized content
- Clean layouts that reduce decision fatigue
I also integrate analytics and conversion tracking tools to test and improve performance over time.
5. It’s Hard to Update or Manage
If making a small change to your site feels like surgery, something’s broken.
What this looks like:
- You rely on a developer for every little update
- The admin dashboard is confusing or buggy
- There’s no CMS—or it’s one you hate using
- You can’t add blog posts, products, or images easily
Why this matters:
Your website should be a living, breathing tool—not a digital headache. If it’s not agile, it’s going to hold you back from scaling or experimenting.
What I’d Do Differently:
I build websites with custom CMS solutions that actually fit your workflow. Whether it’s a Shopify backend, a Laravel-powered dashboard, or a headless CMS paired with Next.js, I make sure you have full control—without needing to touch code. Clean, intuitive admin panels and smart permissions make it easy for your team to manage everything, fast.
Final Thoughts: Redesigning Your Website Is More Than a Makeover
It’s easy to overlook your website when you’re focused on running your business. But here’s the truth:
Your website is your 24/7 salesperson.
It’s your brand’s first impression. Your digital storefront. The place people decide if they trust you, if your product is worth buying, and if they want to come back.
A smart, strategic website redesign isn’t just about looks—it’s about:
- Improving website performance with redesign
- Converting more visitors into customers
- Creating a smoother user experience
- Boosting search visibility and speed
- Giving you the control and flexibility to grow
And when it’s done right? It can completely transform how your business performs online.
Let’s Talk About What’s Possible
If your site feels a little off—or hasn’t been touched in years—I’d love to take a look. Sometimes a few strategic changes can make a huge impact.
From eCommerce website redesigns to full-stack custom web apps, I bring a blend of design thinking, technical expertise, and marketing insight to every project. Whether we’re fixing slow load times, revamping outdated pages, or making your backend easier to manage, I’m here to help you do it right.
Ready to chat about your website?
Let’s schedule a quick audit or brainstorm ideas together. No pressure—just a conversation with someone who’s helped dozens of businesses turn their websites into powerful growth tools.
👉 Reach out anytime. I’d love to hear about your goals and help make them happen.
