As a website design company, one of the questions I often get from clients is whether or not they need to rebuild their website.
Can’t we just use what we have and change it?
Sometimes you can, and a lot depends on what platform your site is on, and what state it’s in. It can be tough to understand why a rebuild might be necessary, especially when everything looks fine on the surface. But when your website relies on outdated or unsupported technologies, there are real limitations and risks involved. In this post, I want to address some common questions and concerns folks have about updating their website, and get into why a rebuild with a modern tech stack can be worth the investment for both short-term and long-term success.
Understanding “Unsupported” Technology
One of the biggest issues I often see with outdated websites is the use of “unsupported” plugins and themes – specially with old WordPress websites (3+ years old). But what does “unsupported” actually mean? For the sake of this post I’ll speak directly to WordPress, but this applies to other platforms as well.
Supported plugins and themes are like apps or tools that are regularly updated by their developers. These updates keep them secure, compatible with the latest versions of WordPress, and free of bugs. When something is supported, it means you can trust it to work well, get help if you need it, and know it will continue to be safe through ongoing releases and updates.
On the other hand, unsupported plugins and themes are like old apps that haven’t been updated in a long time. They might still work, but they could have bugs, security issues, or just not be compatible with the newest WordPress updates. Using unsupported plugins or themes puts your site at risk because if something breaks, you might not be able to fix it easily. It could also make your site vulnerable to hackers.
An Analogy: Internet Browsers
If you need an analogy to help understand this concept, think of internet browsers.
Most PC users today use Microsoft Edge, which is constantly updated to keep up with modern standards. But there are still some people out there who use Internet Explorer, a browser that was officially retired by Microsoft in 2022. It still works, kind of, but it has flaws and vulnerabilities, and there are no updates or fixes being released for it.
In the same way, if your website is running with plugins or themes that are no longer supported by their developers, it’s like using an old, retired browser. It may still function, but it has risks, and eventually, it will need to be replaced. This is why rebuilding with a modern tech stack is crucial.
Examples of Limitations Due to Outdated Plugins and Themes
- Design Improvements: We often want to implement modern, modular design approaches to improve the user experience, but outdated custom themes can be extremely restrictive. Even small design changes can be cumbersome or impossible without risking the stability of the entire site.
- Security Enhancements: Unsupported plugins cannot be updated, leaving your site exposed to potential security breaches. A rebuild allows us to replace outdated components with supported, secure plugins, greatly reducing security risks and making the site safer for users.
- Intertwined Codebase: Many older sites have code that is deeply intertwined with other systems, such as order management or obsolete third-party integrations. This makes updates incredibly complex and can lead to bugs or conflicts. Rebuilding allows us to decouple these systems, making the site easier to manage, maintain, and scale independently.
Responsive Design Improvements
Responsive design means building a website that can automatically adjust to different screen sizes and devices. Whether you’re on a laptop, tablet, or phone, a responsive site changes its layout to ensure everything looks good and functions well. Buttons are easy to click, text is readable, and images fit properly. It ensures users have a great experience, no matter the device they’re using.
In many cases, older sites lack proper responsive design. For example, simplifying the menu and making buttons easier to click on a touchscreen can significantly improve usability for mobile visitors. We also focus on optimizing images and minimizing unnecessary code to improve load times on mobile, which directly impacts user engagement and conversions.
The Importance of a Modern Tech Stack
A modern tech stack for a WordPress website, or a website in another platform for that matter, means using the latest, most efficient tools and software to code and run the site. It includes up-to-date plugins, themes, and coding languages that are optimized for speed, security, and ease of maintenance. By using a modern tech stack, the website can load faster, stay secure from hackers, and be more flexible when adding new features. There are several benefits of rebuilding a website with a modern tack stack, to name a few:
- Easy Upgrades: A modern build ensures the site is easily upgradable, unlike older custom themes that may not be compatible with future updates.
- Modular Code: Using supported plugins and modular code makes future changes simpler, allowing us to add new features or make updates without affecting other parts of the site.
- Security: A modern setup provides a more secure foundation, minimizing vulnerabilities associated with outdated technologies.
A New Website Build Could Be the Way to Go
Rebuilding your website may seem like a big undertaking, but it’s an investment in the future of your business. Often times it’s actually more economical than trying to use and reuse an older website. A modern website not only looks great and functions smoothly but also keeps your data secure, allows for flexibility in adding new features, and ensures a positive user experience for your visitors. If you have questions or want to discuss whether a rebuild is right for your site, feel free to reach out, I’d be happy to help.