What is the Average Lifespan of a Website?

June 20, 2018

I often get asked this question, and it’s one that I can say has no definitive answer.

However whilst there is no hard and fast rule, you can bet that if your website is older than 3 years than there is a really good chance that your website is in need of some tender loving care.

The age of a website however is just one indicator that a new website is needed. You should consider a website redesign even sooner if one of the following applies;

1. Is your website mobile friendly?

Having a mobile friendly website in 2018 is not optional – it is a necessity. Due to the growing number of mobile devices, Google first announced in 2016 and subsequently began rolling out mobile indexing. In other words, websites are now ranked according to how they perform on a mobile device. Therefore if your site is not mobile-friendly, you won’t get ranked. If your website is not ranked -then what’s the point!

2. Do you have a good content management system?

The content within your website is really what drives your traffic. You need to be able to continually update, change and manage content in order to keep your website fresh and appealing to not only your market, but to the crazy search bots out there. The more you change your content, the more the search bots return to your site. The more the search bots visit your site the higher you rank.

Having a good content management system such as wordpress or joomla, allows you to interlink your website, optimise for SEO and keep everything working smoothly.

3. Is your site ranking on google?

Google seems to update its algorithm daily – so what worked for ranking your website a few years back, is likely to work different today.

If your website is no longer ranking within google, than more than likely, one of the parts is not functioning as well as it should – and indeed is in need of an update.

4. Is your website user friendly, easy to navigate?

Your customer is looking for something to buy or to try and solve a problem. They don’t have time to scroll through masses of information just to find the solution.

You need to focus on your prospective customers. Avoid statements like “we strive for…” “we aim…” “our philosophy…” – If you’re not telling your audience how your credentials and philosophies are going to directly make their life better, they will move on.

5. Is your site looking dated?

Website trends change quickly – don’t get stuck in the past, otherwise your customers may also think your business practices are also stuck in the past. Stay on top of market trends and keep your website modern, fresh and relevant.

6. Speed of your website?

How fast is your website? if it’s too slow, google once again will penalise you, not too mention your prospective customers will not hang around… Google can give you an indication on the speed of your website with this handy PageSpeed insight tool.

There are a couple of other points worth considering when deciding upon updates or a new website. For one, even if your website is brand new, but it isn’t designed well, then I’m afraid it’s already in need of an update. Changes in technology, new software updates, etc. can also impact the decision -whilst the above is relevant for todays market – if significant changes are made, then its time for an upgrade regardless of how old your website is.

Overall looking at all the factors, and based on my experience over the past 12 years or so of building websites – the average lifespan of a website is about 3 years. Many won’t make it that long, whilst some may be able to stretch it a little further. In the end it will all come down to your needs and those of your customers.

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