21 Website Red Flags to Avoid

Top Indicators Your Site Needs an Update

Your website is the digital face of your business, and it's often the first point of contact for potential customers. However, if your website looks outdated or doesn't function properly, you could be missing out on a significant number of sales. From slow loading times to poor user experience and outdated content, numerous factors can deter customers from engaging with your website.

But fear not! Addressing these issues and making your website more user-friendly and visually appealing will attract more customers and increase your revenue. With the help of responsive design, engaging multimedia elements, and a clear call to action, you can create a website that stands out from the competition and captures the attention of potential customers.

Read through our list of red flags to see if you have any concerns.

Old Website Design or Layout:

If your website looks outdated, updating it can make it look better and more appealing to customers, which can lead to more sales and more profit for your business. In fact, according to a study by Stanford University, 75% of consumers judge a business's credibility based on its website design. 

Not Mobile-Friendly:

50% of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, which means your website should be easy to use on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. A responsive website can lead to more satisfied customers and more conversions. 

Slow loading times:

If your website takes too long to load, customers may get frustrated and leave. 40% of people will actually abandon a website that takes more than three seconds to load. Meaning you don’t even have the chance to show off your products or services. 

Poor Navigation or User Experience:

If your website is difficult to use, customers may leave without making a purchase. A study by Blue Corona found that 50% of potential sales are lost because visitors can't find the information they're looking for. 

Not optimized for search engines:

If your website isn't easy for search engines to find, potential customers may not even know you exist. Optimizing your website for search engines can increase your visibility and attract more customers. Top listing in Google's organic search results receive 33% of the traffic. 

Security vulnerabilities or not HTTPS secured:

If your website isn't secure, customers may not feel comfortable making a purchase. Securing your website can increase trust and lead to more sales. Additionally, Google has indicated that HTTPS is a ranking signal, meaning that HTTPS-secured websites may receive a boost in search rankings. 

Broken Links or Images:

If your website has broken links or images, it can make your business look unprofessional. A study by Adobe found that 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content or layout is unattractive. 

Content is Outdated or Irrelevant:

If your website content is outdated or irrelevant, customers may not see the value in your products or services. Updating your website with fresh and relevant content can increase customer interest. In fact, companies that blog receive 55% more website visitors than those that don't. 

Lack of Social Media Integration:

Integrating social media with your website can increase your online presence and attract more customers. Companies with a social media presence are able to connect with 54% more leads than those without. 

Website is Not Compatible With Current Web Browsers:

Although Google Chrome is the most popular web browser, with a 64% market share, many people are still using other search. So, your website should work on all web browsers. If it doesn't, you could be missing out on potential customers. 

Inadequate or Unprofessional Branding:

Your website should look professional and reflect your brand. A professional website increases customer trust and builds brand recognition. With 94% of your website’s first impressions being design-related, it’s crucial to have an elevated look. 

Inconsistent Messaging or Branding Across Pages:

Your website messaging and branding should be consistent across all pages. Inconsistent messaging can confuse customers and decrease brand trust. In fact, 72% of consumers expect brands to be consistent across all marketing channels (social media, website, digital marketing, etc.) 

Poor Use of Typography and Typography Hierarchy:

If your website is hard to read, customers may not stay on your site. Good font choices and hierarchy can improve content readability by up to 50%. Typography can impact the perception of a brand's personality and values. 

Poor Use of Color Scheme or Images:

If your website doesn't look visually appealing or your font colors are challenging to read, customers may be unable to learn about your products or services. The use of images can improve comprehension and retention of information by up to 65%, which can lead to an increase in sales and engagement. 

Lack of call-to-action button:

Adding interactive call-to-action button features to your website can keep customers engaged and lead them to the next step you would like them to take. Websites with clear call-to-action buttons have an average conversion rate of 13.5% compared to 4.5% for websites without them. 

Outdated Design:

Using current design trends can make your website look modern and appealing to customers, improving engagement by up to 27%. Outdated design can make a website appear less trustworthy and less attractive to customers. 

Competitors Have More Up-To-Date Websites:

If your competitors have more up-to-date websites, you could miss out on potential customers. 38% of users will leave a website if it's unattractive or unappealing. A website behind the competition can make a business appear less innovative and less credible. 

Inability to Capture Leads or Gather Customer Data:

Capturing leads and customer data can help drive sales and improve marketing efforts. Collecting customer data can help businesses better understand their customers and improve their marketing efforts, increasing sales by up to 300%. A lack of lead capture or data gathering can lead to missed deals and engagement opportunities. 

Inadequate or Insufficient Product or Service Information:

Providing comprehensive product or service information can improve customer trust and increase sales. A lack of information can lead to frustration and a decreased likelihood of a customer making a purchase. 

Not Having a Blog or News Section to Keep Visitors Engaged:

A blog or news section can help keep visitors engaged and increase brand recognition. Websites with a blog have 434% more indexed pages, leading to increased search engine visibility. Blogging can also increase website traffic by up to 55%. 

Poor Use of Multimedia Elements (e.g., video, audio, images):

High-quality multimedia elements can improve engagement and user experience. Websites with videos can actually increase conversion rates by up to 80%. Poor use of multimedia elements can make a website appear outdated and unprofessional.