In fact, there is no real “expiration date,” but there are several signs to consider to determine whether it is time to get your hands on it. Why? We only anticipate that if it is slow, poorly maintained (not only in aesthetics!) and difficult to use it will be penalized by users… but also by search engines. Let’s take a closer look at what this is all about.
How long does a website last: how to tell if your portal is old (and needs a makeover)
Before we go any further, let’s answer your curiosity right away: that is, how long does a website last?
We talk about, on average three to five years. But this value is purely indicative because affecting “old age” are different factors (which we list below). If you notice one or more alarm bells … then it’s time to think about a redesign.
1. Pages take too long to load
Every time you try to open the homepage or a page of your site, does it take a long time? In this case, the causes of the slowdown should be checked. Outdated technology, the wrong choice of server, a series of old plugins that were never updated–all of these can affect loading times, lengthening them drastically.
2. You lose positions on search engines
On search engines, your site has always ranked in the first few pages, and now you’ve noticed that it has slipped to the next few pages? This is also a sign that something is not going as it should. You may need updates and anSEO analysis to figure out what mistakes and optimizations you need to apply to move up the SERPs.
3. You can no longer edit a piece of content
Do you need to publish a news, a blog post, make a change but every time you try you get an error screen, or you can’t do it because the CMS is too difficult to use, inflexible and limiting customization? Again, it is good to understand what technologies are being used and to evaluate the appropriate upgrades to enable you to work independently, without having to call in a technician every time!
4. Always goes haywire after an update
You have a business portal built with WordPress and you have equipped it with the best plugins, but every time you do an update it crashes or a screen warns you that “it is impossible to upgrade.” Again, the website is probably outdated and incompatible with new web technologies.
5. Navigation is cumbersome
Is your site not enabling you to achieve your goals? Perhaps it was built without taking into account UX and UI, or thebrowsing experience and usability. Two factors that are essential to guide the user and facilitate their stay (and actions to be performed) on the portal.
6. Not optimized for smartphones and tablets
Today, 69.4% of the world’s total population surfs online with a mobile device (Source: Digital 2024). This means that your website will be explored with a smartphone or tablet. For the visit to go smoothly, however, it must be responsive, that is, designed for people using any type of device.
p.s. In this list, we have considered only a few factors that affect website durability, among the most important ones that are easy to notice even by a less experienced eye. But:
- if your business changes
- you have new business needs (for example: selling online)
- the market in which you operate requires updates
- competitors have better portals
- you have changed your brand identity
… you’ll certainly need to get your hands on it to improve it!
Now that you know how long a website lasts — here’s why you should do a redesign
As anticipated, an outdated portal is outdated and can cause data loss and danger (including business). Now, put yourself in the shoes of a user.
What happens when a page takes too long to open? If you want to make a purchase on an e-commerce, but the plugins that handle transactions have not been updated? If your business information is outdated (because you can’t change it)? Surely, the user will go looking for a faster, easier-to-navigate, and more secure alternative.
If graphics are outdated, pages are slow and not optimized for search engines, then you can face serious penalties. According to Google’s most recent Core Updates, in fact, it is good:
- create a responsive site
- optimize SEO
- boost speed
- make original content
Finally, remember that today you have to go hand in hand with technologies. A website, in particular, right now must meet all the guidelines for full compatibility with new technologies and modern browsers. In this way, the portal will be dynamic, support multimedia content without adding too many external plugins, improving mobile support and overall performance (including speed). All while winking at security.
Speaking of security… here’s another factor that affects your portal’s ranking on the Internet. Read about it here:
“Unsafe site” warning on browsers, here’s how to fix it
Turn to Isola to figure out how long your website will last and how to improve it
After reading this article, do you think your site needs a refresh? If so, it’s ideal to contact adigital marketing agency that will walk you through step-by-step the best changes to make to achieve your business goals.
At Isola we can assess the type (static or dynamic) and unearth the weak points to start working on right away so that the portal is:
- fast
- easy to navigate
- Safe and secure from external attacks
- Always up-to-date and compatible with current technologies
- In line with cookie and GDPR regulations
We will then evaluate together whether the graphic design satisfies you and respects your values. If not, our graphics team can get to work on creating a rebranding and renewing your corporate identity.
At Isola we don’t stop at site makeovers. We also offer you a maintenance service to ensure that you are constantly updated on security, as well as resolve any post-update incompatibilities (of plugins and theme), problems and errors (such as, for example, 404 ones for broken links), carefully checking that everything is working properly and without slowdowns.
Find out how much longer your website can last and how we can tackle the redesign together!
