Web trends are changing at a remarkably fast pace. New technologies are coming on the scene regularly that improve the way Web sites are built and connected to the Internet. The Web is able to do more every day to improve your business marketing and communications.

Design trends change even faster, and in today’s online world an increasing number of companies are in danger of letting their Web site design become decrepit.

Design is more than aesthetic appearance. It includes navigation, structure, and overall usability. However, appearance will still be the first thing a person perceives when they visit your Web site for the first time. How long has it been since you took a really good look at your Web site?

Unfortunately, few businesses make an effort to stay up with current technologies and design trends. This lack of attention/effort leads to out-dated (and quite frankly ugly) Web sites that leave doubt in the visitors’ minds – does this company put as little care into their services as they do their Web site? Whether or not they should “judge a book by its cover” is debatable – but you can guarantee they will.

Your web site is your storefront, and your company is on display for the entire world to see! Even local shoppers will often go to a company’s Web site before visiting the physical location in person. In fact, according to Nielsen NetRatings analysis:

• 66% of customers check out an organization’s web site before contacting them (Dec. 2006).

If visitors come to your .com and are met with an aging and frustrating experience, you’ve blown your chance at a good first impression. Why? Because the quality of your site’s design (or lack thereof) will reflect on your entire company, including the products and services you offer.

You want to combine powerful design with interactive features so that your clients not only remember you, but they also come back.

• Take Action. Don’t be afraid to spend a little in order to update your site. It can make a huge difference in the number of visitors and potential business opportunities you receive.
• Plan Ahead. Be willing (or at least plan) to budget for a redesign of your web site down the road. This doesn’t have to be a total re-branding of your company every time. Just make sure your content, navigation, and overall look of your Web site remains up-to date and compatible with the new technologies that are sure to become available down the road.