Does your website feel like it's stuck in 2012?
If so, it’s probably costing you more than you think. A tired, outdated website can hurt your credibility, frustrate users, and kill conversions.
People judge your business in less than a second based on how your site looks. So, ask yourself:
Would you trust your website if you landed on it today?
Let’s look at practical, proven web design tips to refresh your website—and turn more visits into enquiries.
Focus on a Clear, Compelling Value Message
Most visitors leave within 10 seconds if they don’t understand what you do.
That’s not a lot of time.
Ask yourself:
- Can a stranger understand your offer at a glance?
- Does your homepage explain the benefit to the visitor—not just what you do?
Fix it with:
- Strong headline: Make it clear, benefit-focused, and short. Example: “Save Time on Payroll With Our Simple Accounting Software.”
- Short subheadline: Support the main message with one sentence. What problem do you solve?
- Visible call-to-action (CTA): “Get a Quote,” “Book a Call,” or “Try Free for 14 Days”—make it obvious.
Example:
FreeAgent (a UK accounting software) leads with a bold benefit and one clear action: “Take control of your business finances.”
Make It Stupidly Easy to Get in Touch
If users can’t find your contact info, they’ll move on.
You want more enquiries? Make enquiry paths simple and obvious.
Tips to implement:
- Sticky CTA button: Keep it visible as users scroll.
- Short enquiry forms: Only ask for what you truly need.
- Multiple touchpoints: Add “Book a Call,” “Live Chat,” and “Email Us” options.
- Contact page in the top nav: Not buried in the footer.
Bonus tip:
Add a scheduling tool (like Calendly) to remove friction. Let users book time without the back-and-forth.
Modernise the Look—Without Overcomplicating It
You don’t need flashy animations or complex effects to look modern. But you do need to look current and trustworthy.
Small changes that make a big impact:
- Update fonts: Use clean, modern typefaces like Inter, Open Sans, or Poppins.
- Use high-quality images: No pixelated logos or old stock photos.
- Consistent spacing: Give content room to breathe. Avoid cramming elements.
- Clean up colour palette: Pick 2–3 core brand colours and stick with them.
Example:
Citizens Advice refreshed its website with clear type, open space, and soft blues. It feels calm, helpful, and current.
Optimise for Mobile—Seriously
Over 70% of UK web traffic now comes from mobile. If your site is clunky on a phone, you’re losing potential customers daily.
Quick mobile wins:
- Larger buttons: Easy to tap, especially with thumbs.
- Stacked layout: No squished side-by-side content.
- No pop-ups that block content: They’re even more annoying on mobile.
- Clickable phone numbers: One tap to call.
Tip:
Check your site on your own phone. Can you get in touch without zooming in or searching?
Improve Load Speed—or Lose Leads
Users expect your site to load in under 2 seconds. After 3, many start leaving. After 5, most are gone.
Slow sites kill conversions.
How to fix it:
- Compress images: Use tools like TinyPNG or built-in compression in your CMS.
- Use WebP or AVIF formats: Smaller file sizes, same quality.
- Remove unused plugins: Especially on WordPress.
- Use fast, reliable hosting: Cheap hosting often means slow performance.
Data point:
A one-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% drop in conversions (according to HubSpot).
Create Pages That Guide, Not Confuse
Many old websites feel like a maze. Visitors aren’t sure where to click—or what happens next.
Fix this with:
- Logical page structure: Home → Services → Contact. Keep it simple.
- Breadcrumbs: Help users see where they are.
- Clear hierarchy: Headings, subheadings, bullet points. Like this article.
- Strong internal linking: Help users move naturally from “What you do” to “How to get started.”
Example:
BrewDog’s site uses a clean flow: products → location → buy. No fluff, no distractions.
Ask yourself:
What is the one action you want users to take on each page?
Refresh Your Copy—Because Words Matter
Design grabs attention. Copy drives action.
Outdated websites often suffer from vague, wordy, or jargon-heavy content. That creates confusion—and kills trust.
What to update:
- Headlines and subheadings: Use short, punchy language. Lead with benefits.
- Service descriptions: Cut the fluff. Focus on results.
- CTAs: Use verbs. “Start Your Project” is better than “Submit.”
Example before:
“We offer bespoke business solutions tailored to your needs.”
Example after:
“Grow faster with marketing that actually works.”
Tip:
Read your content aloud. If it sounds stiff, rewrite it.
Add Proof: People Trust People
Slick design isn’t enough. Visitors need reassurance before they get in touch.
Add these forms of social proof:
- Testimonials: Real names, real photos, real results.
- Case studies: Even one or two can build confidence.
- Star ratings and reviews: Embed Google or Trustpilot ratings.
- Client logos: Recognisable brands boost credibility.
Example:
Design Vibe Creative, a UK creative agency, features testimonials with bold pull quotes and faces. It feels honest and human.
Ask yourself:
Are you telling people you’re good—or letting others do it for you?
Strip Out the Clutter
Many older sites suffer from one major problem: too much stuff.
You don’t need 10 sliders, flashing banners, or five CTAs on one page.
Declutter by:
- Removing outdated content: Old blog posts, broken links, events from 2019.
- Hiding rarely used pages: If no one visits your “Company History” page, it might not need to be in the main nav.
- Simplifying menus: Stick to 5–7 main items.
- Cutting unnecessary animations: If it doesn't serve a purpose, drop it.
Tip:
Use heatmaps (like Hotjar) to see what users actually click. You might be surprised.
Use Better Images That Tell a Story
Bad photos make a site feel cheap. Good photos build trust.
Upgrade your visuals:
- Use real team photos: People want to see who they’re working with.
- Show your product or service in action: Help visitors imagine the experience.
- Avoid generic stock: Especially the smiling handshake.
Example:
Taylor St Baristas uses warm, moody photography that makes you want a coffee—immediately.
Ask yourself:
Do your images support your message, or just fill space?
If your site feels stuck in the past, don’t panic.
You don’t need a full redesign to breathe life into it. Small, smart updates can drastically improve how people feel about your business—and how likely they are to get in touch.
Start with clarity. Make it easy. Keep it human.
And remember:
Modern design isn’t about trends. It’s about trust.
