Technology never stands still; right at the moment you are standing proud boasting about how your website was created from, and is based on, the latest technology, chances are it is already out of date. Even if a totally new version of it hasn’t been released yet, you can rest assured that the companies that have created the software and platforms have come up with patches and upgrades that will make it different from what it was just a day ago.

Now, this doesn’t mean that you should be rabid about keeping your website and its other supporting software up-to-date at every second. You can relax – there will always be some reasonable amount of time for you to make the changes before things get out of control.

But, that also means you shouldn’t simply create your business’ website and let it run itself. You should always keep track of updates and upgrades that come out and apply them whenever you can.

As a matter of fact, let us give you a few signs that you can safely assume mean it is time for you to introduce new technology to your website:

1. Virus and Malware Attacks

This is a very good sign you need to make changes, and fast! Hackers make it a point to study the weaknesses of software and operating systems. Once they find these weaknesses, they create viruses and malware to exploit them.

If you have noticed a rise in attacks, if your website is down too many times and without your finding any possible reason why this is so, if your website users/visitors complain about infections or – this is very important – if search engine and quarantine sites inform you that your website has been blacklisted because of malicious code, you will need to upgrade your website’s software (or at the very least patch it all up).

2. Browsers Hate Your Website

If web browsers do not resolve or display your website and its content as they should be, then you know you are lagging in technology.

3. Lags, Time Outs, Crashes, et al.

Another good sign you are being left behind is if your website suddenly (or over a period of time) starts to lag, timeout or even crash for no apparent reason. While the reason may lie in having too much on the website (e.g. huge graphics and media files) it could also be due to the fact you have large data files in the background. If, after clearing or reducing these, you still see no improvements you can be sure that it is the scripts running on your website that are the miscreants. As technology improves, scripts have become more effective and less resource-intensive so adopt them.

4. Mobile Devices Hate Your Website

You truly cannot survive in today’s online world if your website can’t be viewed in a mobile device. The whole world is getting connected and it is mobile devices that are the most used connection method.

Mind you, it isn’t just about viewing your site. Your clients should be able to perform transactions as well as other functions as well as they would on, say, desktop computers or laptops.

5. Updating Your Website Is Tough

Today, there are Content Management Systems (CMS) that allow you to update your website with ease. You don’t even have to connect to your web server – you can update your site via email.

If your web content remains stale because it is relatively difficult to keep updating it quickly, then you should upgrade to a newer CMS.

6. Social Media is Foreign To Your Site

Social media is everything in today’s world of commerce. It is one of the straightforward ways you can use to reach out to your clients and customers.

If your website can’t handle social media functions like allowing clients to share your content directly from your pages or distorts the content when it is done, you will need to upgrade your site.

7. You Can’t Create A ‘Modern’ Look

Website design is somewhat similar to the fashion industry in that looks (or styles) go out of fad. If your website looks like it was made in the 90’s it might end up off-putting your visitors (unless of course you are deliberately looking for that “classic” look).

New templates – which usually come with the latest versions of background scripts – should be applicable on your website. If bugs and crashes occur every time you apply a new template, then you know your website technology is out of date.

8. Poor Customer Relations

Customer feedback and input from visitors is critical for any business; that is the way you will learn what people are thinking about you and your products from their point of view.

A good website should have a great customer relations management (CRM) application running on it. If it can’t handle one, upgrade – you have to have a two-way channel with people who want to contact, and stay so, with you.

While these are good reasons to introduce new website technology, don’t be held back if you simply want to revamp everything just to get that new look. If you think things look outdated, you can almost be certain your visitors also think so too.