Whether you’re a business owner or are in charge of a business’s online marketing, one of the most important features of any business, is its website. In this age of technology, if you don’t have an online presence then you are missing out on a massive consumer market. The only thing that is just as bad as having no online presence, is having an outdated business website.
We have already addressed the Top 3 Reasons to Have an Up-to-Date Website. The following article will go over a few of the basic things you need to know about updating an outdated business website.
Back-Up Current Website
Before you begin making any changes to your website, it’s important to back up the content you already have. Even if you are planning on starting your website (seemingly) from scratch, do not use it as an excuse to get rid of the content you already have. Think of all of the time and effort you had initially put into it! Do not let all of this time go to waste.
If need be, save the post you’re editing as a draft while you edit it. However, remember that while this is done, if someone clicks a link to this post, they will most likely get an error page (unless you set it up differently). What happens when a visitor is met with an error page? Well, you’d like to think they would just browse your site until they find the article, right? This is not the case.
Being met with a roadblock will most likely make visitors give up and look elsewhere for information. This being done, by a steady amount of website visitors, causes your bounce rate to sky-rocket. This is when site redirects come in handy. We won’t get into site redirects for now. If you’re curious about them, you can always contact Twenty West for any questions you may have!
Update Content and Information
The news and information that is shared online can be right one minute, and need editing or updating the next. While some information is set in stone, other pieces of information may need your help to stay up to date. This is important to keep in mind while updating any business website.
Take a look at the posts and the information that has been shared. No one wants to spread misinformation, especially online. The rate at which information spreads is sometimes unbelievable. All it takes is one click of a mouse. If your website is sharing old or false information, people will know in no time at all. This hurts your credibility and your reputation, making it a very easy and quick way to lose your following.
This doesn’t only apply to the written content you share. It’s crucial that you ensure your contact information is up-to-date as well. Take a look at your “About” page, for example. Some website owners decide to disclose personal information. Having a small biographical blurb is quite standard these days. If you provide a bit of background behind you and your business, keep it up to date!
According to your website, have you somehow managed to stay the same age for the past five years? What about your business location? Have you moved since you last updated your website? It’s information such as this that can have a huge impact on your followers, clients, and business relationships. Don’t neglect this!
Website Appearance
One of the more enjoyable and creative parts of doing a website update is changing its appearance. It can be as small as a minor font change, or you can change the layout of your entire website. However you wish to change it, make sure it mirrors your brand and its values. You don’t need to be a computer design expert in order to do this. Most web hosts make it quite simple for you to do.
Are you unable to find the layout you have in mind? This is when it’s helpful to ask for a professional’s help. It doesn’t mean that you have failed. You’re still learning, that’s all! From fonts and color palettes to graphics and layouts, when it comes to learning about websites, learning never ends.
It’s clear that updating an outdated business website needs to be a top priority.
There’s a long list of things you need to do in order to help your business grow. However, updating your website should be one of the first things you address. If you’re feeling a bit lost or overwhelmed, you don’t need to do it all on your own. There are people who make it their mission to help individuals just like yourself. For example, the team at Twenty West Media.
Twenty West Media understands that it takes more than a high-speed internet connection to make your online presence thrive. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice, or even a bit more knowledgeable when it comes to using technology. Twenty West identifies which areas you may need some extra help with.
For example, you may already know your way around SEO. But, perhaps you lack a deeper knowledge of social media marketing (or vice versa). As the saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. You may roll your eyes at how overused of an expression it is; it doesn’t make it any less accurate. We would be the first to admit that there’s a lot of information to process and put into practice.
If you’ve taken the first step to learn about the ways your website can improve your business, that’s amazing!
If not, it’s never too late to start. Doing your own research and learning how to do things on your own is always encouraged. But, it’s also okay if you need some help. You can give Twenty West a call at (888)-316-6549, or email them at [email protected]. They are happy to help answer any questions you may have and provide whatever help they can.
Are you thinking of updating your website? Have you updated your website in the past? What did you learn? Did you experience any hiccups during the process? What advice would you give others looking into updating an outdated business website? Let us know in the comments!
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