5 Signs It’s Time to Update Your Website

Your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business — and if it's under-performing, you might be losing leads without even knowing it.

In this post, the team at Adhesion highlights five common signs your website might need a refresh, and how these issues can impact your conversions, credibility, and growth.

1. Slow Load Times

Page speed is a key ranking factor for search engines such as Google. If your website is too slow, then visitors may get frustrated; evidence shows that users typically abandon pages that take longer than 3 seconds to load. As such, page speed is a crucial element of User Experience (UX) and should be one of your main considerations when building or updating your site.

Slow page speed can be caused by features such as large image files, outdated hosting, or oversized code. Tools such as Google’s PageSpeed Insights can help you identify which elements are impairing your loading time and may be costing you customers. If your site drags, so will your conversions.

2. Confusing Navigation or Layout

Think of your website like a physical storefront: if you can’t find what you’re looking for due to a maze-like layout and mislabelled signage, you’re not exactly going to leave with a positive impression of the brand.

The same goes for websites. Poor UX design can lead to high bounce rates (users leaving the site after only viewing a single page) as well as lost trust. Make sure visitors can find what they need within 2 to 3 clicks.

Some examples of a poor layout include unclear menus, too many options to click, and no clear call to action (CTA). Get into the mind of your user: what information are they seeking? What would their next steps be and how can you lead them there?

A strong website structure is not only good for people, but search engines too: Google can better understand your site and see its user-friendliness, ranking it higher as a result.

3. Outdated Design or Branding

Design trends change quickly, so it’s crucial to constantly ask: does your site still feel modern?

What may have worked in the past may no longer resonate with consumers. Old design can give the impression that your business is out of touch or not trustworthy, as updated sites show a greater level of care and attention to detail. Visual consistency with your branding is important, especially across linked platforms such as Facebook.

Consider more responsive design, whitespace and mobile-first layouts. Check your photos too: are the ones on your website and Google Business Profile recent and high quality? Having current images increases your brand’s credibility, which is especially critical for smaller businesses relying on those first impressions.

4. It’s Not Mobile-Friendly

In 2025, over 50% of website traffic is mobile — and rising. This means that a savvy mobile website design is no longer a nice bonus, but a necessity.

Google uses mobile-first indexing, which means that the search engine will prioritise the mobile version of your site when analysing the quality and content of its pages. Poor mobile UX therefore impacts Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), as Google will value mobile-friendly websites more than those designed solely for desktop.

Signs of poor mobile usability include tiny text, hard-to-tap buttons, and horizontal scrolling. Ensure you’ve tested your website across various device types and consider mobile users first and foremost when building out your navigation or any new features.

5. You're Not Getting Leads or Sales

If you’re experiencing low conversion rates, your site could be the problem.

Possible issues could include:

• An unclear value proposition.
  Does your site properly emphasise the unique features of your business?
• Weak CTAs.
  Do you use enticing messaging or buttons to drive the user towards conversions?
• Broken elements.
  Can users readily access the pages they need, such as forms or even products?

Use analytical tools such as Google Analytics to investigate further: check bounce rate, time on-site and funnel drop-off to pinpoint what potential areas could be affecting your ability to convert customers. A website redesign can help clarify messaging and streamline conversions, making it easier to turn visits into value.

Next Steps

Your website should support your business — not hold it back. If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time for an update.

At Adhesion, we help NZ businesses modernise their websites to drive real results. Talk to us today about what’s next for your site.