Even though you may not have considered it before, there are many reasons why you should have your website re-designed.

Some are obvious while others are not so obvious. Here is a list of our top five.

And to see some websites that we have re-designed then please click here.

People have short memories and attention spans. They need to keep being reminded about things. There is a common belief that it takes around seven 'touches' (interactions between your brand and a potential customer) before they become a client. Having a site re-designed is a great opportunity to contact your existing customers, potential customers and the press.

It gives you an excuse to contact them and let them know what you're doing, what's new and that you're keeping things up-to-date.

Once you have a new website you can advertise that you've launched a new site and that will generate a boom of interest in your company. You can also send out mailshots or e-mail newsletters to existing customers about the new website - the possibilities for new exposure are endless.

Simply put, a website redesign can be a great marketing and PR tool for your business.

It is important that your online presence makes an impact and has the right content. It's no use having a website if you aren't giving your customers the information they want - they will just go elsewhere in a matter of clicks. Most people who surf the web are fickle and usually make up their mind about a website within a few seconds.

So spend a bit of time on looking at your competition and analyse their content - how does your website compare to theirs? Is the information on your website outdated? If you think that your competitors website is 'better' than yours then it is definitely time for a redesign.

If your site is of a similar standard then you may think it's unnecessary to redesign but it's much better to be leading the pack then following.

A timely redesign could enable you to steal a march on your competitors rather than waiting for them to redesign and then having to play catch-up.

The sad fact is that for whatever reason some websites are amateurish and look unprofessional. It's an old cliché but you get what you pay for and in this fast-paced world it's easy to go for the low cost option and disregard your companies website as a passing fad.

When businesses underestimate the Internet then you have a problem. More than ever nowadays people will quickly jump online and Google your company to see what they are all about. While it's true an online presence is essential a poor one is detrimental. If you find a businesses website and it looks amateurish then all you are telling people is that you don't care about how your company is perceived.

Image is everything, especially in a world where people would rather e-mail an enquiry online than leave the house. A poor website is not a problem if you get the luxury of generating business face-to-face but when people judge you on the quality of your website then you have to make sure it gives the right impression.

If you see two businesses, one with a professional website and one with a poorly designed one which company would you use?

You want to maximise the number of hits your website produces and something simple such as new and fresh content can do the job.

Depending on how long your website has been running, it is quite possible that the information is dated and could do with updating. People like to see new content and it gives customers a reason to keep coming back to visit your website.

An old website is good for attracting new business but you should not underestimate the value of the returning customer. Whether it's advertising a new special offer or details on a new service you're providing then it is important to keep your website fresh.

Why would anyone come back to your site if nothing has changed in months?

The Internet is changing and expanding faster than ever and in a world where markets change and clients get more savvy then businesses need to evolve to meet new demands.

If your website is a couple of years old then the chances are that it's more of a reflection of where you've been than where you're heading.

Re-designing your website gives you the opportunity to align it with your current message and ethos, and the chance to plan for the future. Maybe there are certain services which are more in demand and should be emphasised more on your website. Or maybe you've found that your clients have other needs and you want to advertise a new service you're providing. In any case, your website should be a reflection of where you are now and where you're heading, not where you have been.

After all, wouldn't you prefer to do business with a company or business that is looking to the future rather than being stuck in the past?