Have you taken a look at your website lately? How does it size up in comparison to your company's competitors? If you are thinking of conducting a website redesign, look no further! Below are four tips to consider when doing so.

Looks Matter- keep up-to-date
According to Sanford research, it takes less than 1 second for web users to form an opinion regarding the site they are visiting. The report also suggests that 94% of users claim their first impressions are design-related. Of those surveyed, 75% also admitted to making judgments concerning the company's credibility- simply based on the website's aesthetics. As technology grows, it is important to maintain an appeal that is current and fresh. What was acceptable a few years ago may be out-of-date today.

TIP: Take a look at the amount of body text on your page. Reading text on a computer screen is harder on the eyes in comparison to reading a piece of paper. Be sure to choose the appropriate font and size. For maximum readability, consider condensing paragraphs to a few short sentences and break them up by using section headers. Another option is to boldface important information. This will allow users to quickly scan the page for what they are in search of.

Be user friendly- on multiple devices
Mobile usage is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to access information. Visitors who struggle to find what they are looking for, or encounter trouble loading your site, are likely to leave the page and browse elsewhere. Having a site that is flexible across a variety of platforms (such as desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones) is crucial for keeping and adding new business.

TIP: Well-labeled navigation links are key. These should be properly named (to make it easier on the user) and placed both at the bottom and top of the page for easy visibility and access. Many users do not want to take the time to scroll.

Incorporate social media- ASAP!
If your website doesn't feature social media in some way, it is time to do so now. Including links to your social network profiles is no longer trendy, but adding social sharing tools is. These make it easy for users to share, tweet, or pin your content. Allowing users to connect with you socially can increase brand popularity.

Add new functionality- or ask users to get involved
Redesigning your website welcomes the addition of new functions, such as a blog, forums, e-commerce, etc. These links and pages should flow nicely as part of the constructed site, rather than appearing as an afterthought. If this is not for you, consider your interaction. Are you asking your customers to do something? If you're selling a product or service, it is important to ask your viewers to click a link to buy the product, or in the case of a service, submit a contact information form. Creating a user-friendly interaction will achieve greater success in sales and communication.

A website redesign is a tough task to tackle, but keep in mind that a clean, modern, and up-to-date website is one of the most effective marketing tools for growing businesses. It can be an intimidating process, but partnering with an excellent web design firm can make for an exciting and stress-free journey. Out with the old, and in with the new!