8 clues your website belongs with the dinosaurs

Dinosaurs existed a loooooong time ago—but web years move faster than regular years; your website might be fossilizing as you read this.

A client recently said to me, “Wow, I didn’t realize how old my site was until I saw this new design!” Sometimes, that’s what it takes—seeing a new design, experiencing the new functionality—to realize your old site was keeping dinosaurs company.

f course there is an exception to every rule, but here are 8 telltale signs that it’s time for a new website:

1. It’s been two years. The web changes fast—you can’t just set it and forget it. The average lifespan of a T. Rex was 30 years. That’s 28 years longer than your website’s.  
2. It doesn’t use the entire screen.  Whether it’s the biggest computer or tiniest mobile device, if your site isn’t using the whole space—it’s wasting prime real estate. There is no way around it. If your site isn’t responsive, it’s time for a revamp.
3. Updates take more than 2 minutes. Adding testimonials or new projects should be quick and easy. If you haven’t updated your site in forever, it’s probably because it takes too long.
4. It’s not using WordPress. Okay, it’s not the only good CMS out there, but WordPress makes anything possible. 
5. The fonts are standard. Go wild with web typography. If it’s only using standard fonts, your site is probably starting to fossilize.
6. Glossy icons and drop shadows abound. Granted, it can be done today and look cool, but if it wasn’t done today, it’s old. Gradients and glossy icons are like stepping back in time, Flintstones-style.
7. Your buttons are images. If your site has images for buttons, or PNGs instead of vector graphics, it’s time for a fresh look and feel.
8. Uses Flash, sliders or folds. The fold, sliders and Flash are dead—and there are no museums dedicated to keeping their legacies alive.

Maybe your website wasn’t exactly around in the land of the dinosaurs, but web-time does move quickly. A site shouldn’t only reflect your current brand using a modern aesthetic—it should be easy for you and your prospects to use. Happy revamping!  

About Jill Anderson

Hi, I’m Jill, a WordPress WordPress designer/developer who partners with talented designers, copywriters, and agencies on their websites, and their client’s sites. I’m passionate about crafting beautiful and innovative WordPress websites focused on clear positioning and positive user experiences. Get my free report, Get Your Website Done: 12 Actionable Steps for Designers, and check out my Client Onboarding Toolkit, a simple 4-step digital course for converting prospects into a paying clients.