The Importance of Keeping Your Website Updated
The Importance of Keeping Your Website Updated (And Why Modern Web Design Matters More Than Ever)
A Complete Guide for Kansas City Businesses Ready to Grow Online
In today’s digital-first world, your website is more than just an online brochure — it’s your brand’s storefront, sales machine, credibility builder, and the #1 place customers use to judge whether they should trust your business. Whether you run a local Kansas City service business, boutique, medical practice, salon, or legal office, your website’s design and freshness directly impact how customers perceive you.
But here’s the problem: most websites fall behind within just 18–24 months. Trends change, coding standards evolve, Google updates ranking algorithms, and customer expectations shift faster than ever.
This comprehensive guide breaks down why keeping your website updated and redesigned regularly is critical for search rankings, conversions, trust, and long-term growth — plus how OHS Publishing has been doing precisely that for more than 20 years for Kansas City businesses.
Let’s get into it.
1. Updated Websites Rank Higher on Google
Google wants to show searchers current, trustworthy, fast, and user-friendly websites. If your site looks outdated or loads slowly, you’re already falling behind competitors.
According to Google’s own documentation, freshness, relevance, and usability are ranking factors. Learn more:
🔗 https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/seo-starter-guide
🔗 https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
Why updating your website boosts SEO:
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Fresh content signals relevance.
Outdated content tells Google your business may no longer be active. -
Modern code loads faster
Speed is a proven ranking factor. See Google PageSpeed Insights:
🔗 https://pagespeed.web.dev -
New design → better navigation → more engagement
If users spend time clicking around, Google interprets your site as valuable. -
Better keyword optimization
Trends change. The words customers search for today aren’t always the same as they were two years ago.
Want higher rankings? Stay updated.
Most Kansas City businesses want to rank for phrases like:
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Kansas City Web Design
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Kansas City SEO
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Best Web Designer Near Me
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SEO Services Kansas City
Your website MUST be modern, fast, and up to date to compete.
Pro Tip
If your site hasn’t been updated in more than 18 months, Google already sees competitors as more relevant — even if their services aren’t better than yours.
2. Staying Current With Modern Design Trends Keeps Visitors Engaged
Web design changes constantly. A site built even three years ago will often look outdated today.
When someone lands on your website, you have 3–5 seconds to make a strong first impression. If your website looks old, cluttered, generic, or “template-ish,” visitors will bounce — especially younger demographics and mobile users.
Current web design trends include:
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Minimal, clean layouts
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Mobile-first UI
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Bold typography
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High-contrast color blocks
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Full-width imagery
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Conversion-focused layouts
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Interactive elements (micro-animations, sliders, etc.)
Want to explore design trends used by global brands?
🔗 https://www.awwwards.com
🔗 https://dribbble.com
🔗 https://behance.net
Why trends matter:
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People associate design quality with business quality.
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Updated sites feel more trustworthy.
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Trends improve readability and user flow.
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Modern layouts increase conversions dramatically.
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Customers expect websites to “feel” modern.
A Kansas City business with a crisp, modern website instantly stands out from outdated local competitors.
3. Responsive Design Is No Longer Optional — It’s Mandatory
More than 63% of all searches happen on mobile devices (source: Statista).
Mobile-first indexing is now Google’s default:
🔗 https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/mobile-first-indexing
What is responsive design?
A responsive website automatically adjusts based on:
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Screen size
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Device type
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Orientation
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Resolution
This ensures an optimal reading and browsing experience everywhere.
Benefits:
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Better SEO rankings
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Higher conversions
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Lower bounce rates
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Better accessibility
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Faster loading speeds
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More trust and professionalism
If customers can’t read your content, click your buttons, or navigate pages easily on their phone, they will leave — and choose a competitor.
4. Website Updates Improve Security & Functionality
Outdated websites are an open door for hackers, malware, and data breaches.
If your site uses old versions of:
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WordPress
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Plugins
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Themes
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PHP
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Server software
…you are at high risk.
For cybersecurity insights, check out:
🔗 https://www.cisa.gov/cybersecurity
🔗 https://owasp.org
Updating your website improves:
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Security
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Stability
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Bug fixes
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User functionality
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Server performance
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Code efficiency
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UX and UI consistency
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Plugin compatibility
Outdated design = outdated framework = vulnerabilities.
A modern rebuild solves all of this at once.
5. Staying Updated Helps You Outperform Competitors
Your website is your digital storefront. If your competitor’s site looks better, loads faster, and works more smoothly, they win the customer.
Buyers compare.
Visitors judge businesses instantly based on:
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Visual design
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Professionalism
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Speed
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Ease of navigation
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Modern layouts
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Mobile experience
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Trust signals (reviews, schema, badges)
If a competitor updates their website and you don’t, you fall behind.
A modern redesign helps you:
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Get more leads
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Increase call volume
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Increase online bookings
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Build more trust
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Strengthen branding
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Improve conversions
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Rank higher locally
Simply put: You look more credible, and customers choose you.
6. Fresh Designs Improve User Experience (UX), Conversions & Sales
People don’t buy from outdated websites.
A clean, modern design makes visitors:
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Stay longer
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Explore more
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Trust the business
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Fill out forms
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Book appointments
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Could you call your phone number?
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Make purchases
UX and UI improvements directly increase conversions.
For advanced UX research, see:
🔗 https://www.nngroup.com
🔗 https://uxplanet.org
A modern website redesign is one of the highest-ROI investments a business can make.
How OHS Publishing Has Delivered Top-Tier Web Design & SEO for 20+ Years (Kansas City)
OHS Publishing, based in Kansas City, has been building, redesigning, and ranking websites for more than two decades — long before many agencies even existed.
While trends changed, platforms evolved, and algorithms updated, OHS Publishing stayed ahead by continually delivering:
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Modern designs
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SEO-optimized structure
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Local Kansas City visibility
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Fast-loading websites
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Secure, stable platforms
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Mobile-first layouts
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Better branding
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Long-term digital strategy
What Makes OHS Publishing Different?
✔ 1. Personalized, Strategic Approach
No templates. No cookie-cutter builds.
Every Kansas City business gets:
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A custom design
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A personalized SEO plan
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Brand-matched color palettes and layouts
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A site built around goals (calls, leads, bookings, sales)
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Keyword research specific to your industry + city
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Conversion-focused page layouts
OHS builds websites that not only look good — they perform.
✔ 2. Unmatched Web Design Experience
With over 20 years in the industry, OHS Publishing understands both traditional and modern design needs. Their team specializes in:
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WordPress design (with or without WooCommerce)
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Secure hosting setups
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Mobile optimization
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High-speed infrastructure
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Branding & visual identity
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Local landing page systems
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Conversion optimization
They design websites that function like high-performing marketing machines.
✔ 3. Advanced SEO Expertise
Many web designers don’t understand SEO.
Many SEO “gurus” can’t design websites.
OHS Publishing does both at a professional, data-backed level.
Their SEO team excels in:
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Local SEO
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Technical SEO
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Google Business Optimization
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On-page optimization
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Link building
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Competitive analysis
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Schema markup
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Speed optimization
Want to learn about SEO fundamentals?
🔗 https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo
🔗 https://searchenginejournal.com/seo-guide
With OHS Publishing, your website not only ranks but also looks incredible.
✔ 4. Exceptional Customer Service & Communication
Clients consistently praise OHS for:
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Fast communication
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Transparent processes
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Friendly support
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Clear explanations (no confusing jargon)
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Meeting deadlines
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Following through and staying hands-on
You’re never left in the dark.
Why Kansas City Businesses Choose OHS Publishing
Local businesses trust OHS Publishing because they deliver:
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More leads
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More phone calls
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More appointments
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Stronger local rankings
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A better online reputation
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A polished, professional appearance
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Websites that outperform competitors
From Kansas City salons to HVAC companies, medical practices, boutiques, gyms, attorneys, and contractors — OHS Publishing has helped hundreds of businesses thrive online.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your Website Updated. Keep Your Business Growing.
Your website isn’t a “set it and forget it” asset.
It requires:
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Continual updating
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Design refreshes
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Security patches
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SEO improvements
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Speed optimization
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Content updates
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Trend adjustments
And when done right, your website becomes:
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A 24/7 sales machine
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A trust-building asset
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A long-term growth engine
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A top-ranking search result
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The first impression that wins customers
Updating your website is not optional — it is essential for staying competitive in the Kansas City market.
Ready for a Modern, High-Performing Website?
OHS Publishing can transform your online presence.
Whether you need:
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A brand-new website
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A redesign
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SEO services
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Local Kansas City visibility
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WordPress upgrades
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Content writing
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Faster site performance
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Google Business Optimization
…OHS Publishing is ready to help.
📞 Call OHS Publishing: 816-605-6780
📍 Serving Kansas City & surrounding areas
🌐 Visit: https://ohspublishing.com
