What is the Average Lifespan of a Website?

In a digital world that is fast-evolving, websites serve as essential tools for businesses, creators and organisations to establish their presence online. But just like products, software or even fashion trends, websites don’t last forever. So, what’s the average lifespan of a website and why does it matter? Let’s take a closer look in this article:

What is the lifespan of a website on average?

Typically, a website could last for up to three years without a revamp, redesign or rebrand. It might also start needing significant updates behind the scenes as well. Although, it’s important to note that this timeframe can differ depending on a variety of things, including the industry you work in, the purpose of the website and how well it’s maintained overall. 

In addition, high-performing websites may stay relevant for up to five years, while others, especially those within fast-paced industries and sectors, such as e-commerce and technology, may need updates and overhauls even sooner than three years. 

The best thing to do if you aren’t sure whether your website needs an update is to ask a professional website designer for their opinion and help. They’ll be able to conduct a full website audit for you, highlighting areas that need improvement, if any are found. 

If issues are found, then your website designer will be able to take it from there, offering you a proposal for suggested changes and how much that’s likely to cost. You can weigh this up against a whole new website, depending on how many issues are found. If this sounds like you, then get in touch with the website designers here at Kumo for further information. 

Why do websites have such limited lifespans?

There are a number of things that can contribute to the lifespan of a website. These can dictate how long a website can last before updates are needed. Some websites will have a longer lifespan than others, which is something to bear in mind for your own site. Here are some of the reasons why websites can have a limited lifespan:

• Design trend changes – just as fashion evolves, so does web design. A suite that looked modern in 2021 probably doesn’t have the same impact now. An outdated look can negatively impact credibility, trust and engagement
• Technology advances – web development technology is constantly changing, resulting in new coding languages, frameworks and tools to make the job more efficient, more secure and more mobile-friendly. Older websites won’t be able to benefit from everything new technology has to offer
• The evolution of user behaviour – as user expectations shift, so must the websites. This could involve the rise of mobile browsing, voice search capabilities and the inclusion of AI technology. Failing to do this could result in poor user experience (UX) and declining website traffic, which is never good
• Content & SEO relevance changes – search engine algorithms are constantly updated. A website built with outdated SEO practices can fall behind in the rankings. Content also becomes stale over time, reducing its effectiveness when it comes to attracting and retaining visitors

How can I tell if my website needs a refresh?

There are a few signs to look out for that will indicate whether or not your website needs a redesign to stay ahead of the times and to stand out from the crowd. Here are a few things to look out for that will indicate that your website needs a refresh:

• It looks outdated – if the website looks old-fashioned and outdated, then it’s a sure sign a redesign is needed, and soon
• It’s not mobile-friendly – more than half of all website traffic comes from mobile devices, so if your website isn’t optimised for mobiles, then you’re losing a lot of traffic
• It’s slow to load – a website that takes more than 2-3 seconds to load will increase bounce rates, which lowers overall website traffic. This impacts leads, conversions and sales as a result
• Your content is out of date – if your website content, whether it be pages or blog posts, is old, then users will assume that you’re no longer active or that you don’t have the drive to keep things updated
• Bounce rate is high – if users are leaving your site quickly, then it’s a clear sign that something is wrong. It might mean that your content, design, or experience isn’t engaging or trustworthy
• Navigation is challenging – if users can’t navigate your website easily and quickly, then they’ll leave, resulting in a high bounce rate
• It’s difficult to make simple updates – if basic changes are a hassle, then you’ll likely need a better content management system or backend structure
• SEO performance needs improvement – a drop in search engine rankings can indicate your site isn’t keeping up with SEO best practices
• Broken links or features – if buttons aren’t working or if backlinks are broken, then your US and professionalism can take a negative hit
• Your business has changed in some way – from new names or ownership to launching new products and services. If your business has changed, this needs to be reflected in the website, and so a redesign is greatly needed

How can I extend the lifespan of my website?

There aren’t always drastic measures to be taken if you want to elongate the lifespan of your website. Sometimes it can be something as simple as changing the colours or font. But there are other instances where more will need to be done. This will depend on the severity of the individual website and its condition. However, here are some ways in which you can extend the lifespan of your website easily and efficiently:

• Post regular content and update it accordingly
• Prioritise IT security and plug-in maintenance
• Conduct user testing to uncover user pain points
• Optimise for mobile and tablet
• Enhance performance elements, such as image compression and faster hosting

At Kumo, we deliver tailored digital marketing services to businesses across the UK. Based in the heart of Nottingham, our experienced team specialises in SEO, PPC, content creation and website design, to name just a few of our marketing services in Nottingham. Want to find out more? Get in touch with a member of our friendly, professional team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.