Your website might still be working, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's doing a good job for your business.

Web design has changed considerably over the years. What looked modern five or ten years ago can now make a business appear dated — and customers can form an opinion within seconds of arriving on a website.

Here are five signs it might be time for an update.

1. It doesn't work properly on mobile phones

This is one of the biggest warning signs.

A large proportion of your visitors are likely to be viewing your website on a phone or tablet. If they have to zoom in, scroll sideways or struggle to press buttons, they're likely to leave.

A modern website should adapt to the screen it's being viewed on and remain easy to use whether someone is sitting at a computer or using their phone.

2. Your information is out of date

Have your services changed?

Are there old prices, outdated photographs or contact details that are no longer correct?

Perhaps you've moved premises or your business has grown considerably since the website was created.

Even a beautifully designed website won't help if the information on it is wrong.

Your website should reflect the business you run today, not the business you had several years ago.

3. It looks noticeably older than your competitors' websites

You don't need to follow every web design trend.

In fact, you probably shouldn't.

But if your website looks like it belongs to a completely different era, visitors may subconsciously associate that with the business itself.

A clean, modern design doesn't have to be complicated. Good typography, spacing, photography and clear navigation can make a huge difference.

4. Visitors don't know what to do next

A website should make life easy for the person visiting it.

Can they immediately understand what you offer?

Can they find your services?

Can they see examples of your work?

Can they easily contact you?

If visitors have to hunt around to find basic information, there's a good chance some of them will simply give up.

Good website design isn't just about making something look attractive. It's about making it easy to use.

5. You're embarrassed to send people to it

This one is surprisingly common.

You meet a potential customer and tell them:

"Have a look at our website."

Then you hesitate before giving them the address because you already know what they're going to see.

Your website should be something you're happy to put in your email signature, business cards, social media profiles and advertisements.

It should represent your business properly.

Does your website need a complete rebuild?

Not necessarily.

Sometimes a website simply needs fresh content, better photographs or a design refresh.

In other cases, the underlying structure makes updating it difficult and starting again is the better option.

The important thing is to look at your website from your customer's point of view, rather than simply asking whether it still technically works.

If it gives the right impression, works well on modern devices and makes it easy for people to contact you, it may be doing its job perfectly well.

If it doesn't, it could be costing you customers without you even realising it.

A website shouldn't just exist. It should work for your business.