There are many key indicators that signal when it is time for a website redesign. If you are seeing slow load times, high bounce rates, a gradual decline in traffic, less visitor interaction, or an increase in customer complaints, then it is possible that your site is in desperate need of a redesign. Other notable indicators include poor search engine rankings, a disorganized website layout offering confusing navigation, and generally obsolete online content. 
When a website is really outdated, it can become so bad that various areas of the site simply stop functioning properly, and that can have hugely detrimental results to your company overall. Having a fresh, updated website that provides cutting edge and up-to-date content is vital for the success of any business. Some important additions to your next site redesign should include the following:
Responsive Design
Advanced technology known as responsive design will continue to be an extremely important attribute for websites for years to come, especially since up to 50 percent of website traffic now comes from smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. Responsive design allows internet marketing and web design companies to not only build you an incredible looking site that converts higher, but the new design will automatically reconfigure itself to look good across all mobile platforms, regardless of the size of the device’s screen. This significantly improves a visitor’s experience, no matter what device they use. Responsive design is a highly effective option that is typically recommended when you choose to redesign your website. 
Social Media Widgets
Adding widgets to your website is an extremely efficient way to get your online audience to visit your social media platforms. Social media gives people the opportunity to further connect with businesses, find out more about a company, and learn what you can offer potential customers. In recent years, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ have drastically transformed different industries. Recent surveys indicate that over 90 percent of companies are actively promoting and marketing through social media and, with over a billion people combined using social media platforms worldwide, there are endless opportunities to expand your visibility and customer reach through widgets. When redesigning your website, installing social media widgets are strongly encouraged if you want to effectively “share” your business online and substantially boost website traffic.
Video
Adding interesting and entertaining videos within the framework of your site is an excellent way of displaying the products and/or services you offer, as well as improving conversions from your existing traffic. Recent studies have shown that more people are watching videos and researching the products they wish to buy online before spending their money. Studies have also shown that websites containing high-quality videos are more likely to engage with their customers and increase traffic than websites that contain no videos. Therefore, custom videos can help a business stand out from the competition and sell their wares to future consumers.
Internet marketing specialists highly recommend redesigning your website every three to five years in order to accommodate differing consumer needs and expectations, as well as surpassing your competitors through the use of new technology and better content. Many companies are deciding to take the time to give their company a fresh new online website aesthetic for 2014.
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By Kimberly Pennie, founder and CEO of CyberMark International which specializes in all other factors of internet marketing such as search engine optimization (SEO), web design and development, social media marketing, Pay-Per-Click (PPC), and much more. CyberMark has received numerous awards in their industry. They have also been recognized in The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today.
