5 Signs Your Website Needs a Makeover (and 2 That Don’t Matter)
Your website is out there, smiling awkwardly on the internet like a 2007 family portrait. You know it exists, you know it’s technically "fine," but every time you open it, something feels...off. If your site gives you secondhand embarrassment, it might be time for a little tough love.
Here's the thing: Not every outdated site needs a full-blown redesign, but there are some dead giveaways that it’s time to stop hitting snooze on a makeover. And while we’re at it, let’s bust a few myths about what doesn’t matter as much as you think.
Ready? Let’s rip off the bandaid.
Sign #1: Your Homepage Doesn’t Pass the 5-Second Test
Here's a fun exercise: pull up your homepage and give yourself five seconds. Now ask:
Do you know what this business does?
Can you tell who it’s for?
Is there a clear next step?
If you can't answer yes to all three, your site is failing the test.
People don’t have the attention span to go on a scavenger hunt. If your headline is a cute pun or your navigation is vague as hell ("Discover" or "Explore" aren’t helpful), you're losing potential clients before they even scroll.
Fix it: Start with a strong, clear headline. Think: "Brand Strategy for Coaches Who Actually Want to Stand Out" not "Empowering Brilliance Through Digital Synergy."
Sign #2: Your Site Looks Like a Time Capsule
If your fonts scream Pinterest circa 2014 or your images are grainy as your high school yearbook photo, it’s time to modernize.
The vibe shouldn’t be "I built this during nap time and never looked back."
Design trends change, but clean, intentional choices never go out of style. A dated-looking site subtly tells people your business might be out of touch, even if your work is stellar.
Fix it: Limit yourself to 2-3 fonts max. Keep your color palette cohesive (three main colors is plenty). And for the love of Squarespace, stop using stretched-out logos and pixelated graphics.
Sign #3: It’s All Looks, No Strategy
A pretty site is cute. A strategic site makes you money.
You might have nailed your aesthetic, but if your site has no clear user journey, no calls to action, and no funnel to move people from curious to committed, you’re just hosting a very stylish ghost town.
Red flag phrases I see often:
"They can just contact me if they’re interested."
"I didn’t want to sound too salesy."
"I mean, there is a button...it’s at the bottom."
Fix it: Add intentional calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout your site. Invite people to book, buy, read more, or contact you—and make it easy.
Sign #4: Your Site Isn’t Mobile Friendly
This one’s non-negotiable. If your site looks good on your laptop but turns into a scroll-a-thon disaster on a phone, you're alienating the majority of your visitors.
Newsflash: Over 60% of web traffic is mobile. If your text is unreadable, your buttons are too small to tap, or your layout gets weird and stacked, it’s time to fix it.
Fix it: Preview your Squarespace site in mobile view and on a real phone. Adjust font sizes, spacing, and image placement accordingly.
Sign #5: You’re Embarrassed to Share It
Be honest. If someone asks for your site link and your stomach flips before you send it, that’s your gut screaming for a change.
Maybe it no longer reflects your work. Maybe it’s a mishmash of old offers, blurry testimonials, and abandoned blog posts. Maybe it just feels...off.
If you don’t feel confident about your website, neither will the people visiting it.
Fix it: Even a mini refresh can give you a confidence boost. Start by updating outdated pages, trimming the fat (aka: deleting the things you forgot were even there), and making sure it still sounds and looks like you.
And Now, 2 Things That Don’t Actually Matter (So Stop Stressing)
- Not-Actually-a-Problem #1: Your Site Isn’t "Perfect"
Guess what? It never will be.
Websites are living, evolving platforms. If you wait until every word, image, and layout block is flawless, you’ll never launch (or update) anything.
Focus on done, not perfect. A website that’s 90% ready and live is better than a "someday" dream that never sees the light of day.
- Not-Actually-a-Problem #2: You Used a Template
Templates are not a sign of weakness.
What does matter is how you use the template. Did you make it your own? Does it reflect your brand? Is the structure smart and user-friendly?
There are plenty of custom-looking sites built from templates. (And plenty of hot messes that were custom-coded.)
If you’re DIY-ing it, embrace the template and make strategic design choices within it. If it’s no longer serving you, then yeah, time to call in help.
What to Do Next
If you're reading this and nodding (or wincing), it might be time for a website makeover.
But don’t panic. You don’t have to start from scratch or hire a full team just to level up. My No-BS Website Polish Kit walks you through a self-audit you can do in under an hour. It’s fast, free, and will show you exactly what to fix first.
Because "it’s fine for now" isn’t a growth strategy. Let’s get your site working as hard as you do.
