I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – having a beautifully designed, user-friendly and fully functional website is one of the best things you can do to ensure that you have a successful online business. Your website is often the first point of contact for potential clients and customers… and you never get a second chance to make a first impression! Yet so many of us leave our website stale and neglected, spending too much time updating our Instagram feed and not enough time showering our website with the TLC it deserves.
Not only does a frequently updated site provide your visitors with a more positive experience, it will also increase the number of returning visitors, encourage people to spend longer on your site, help to boost your SEO and ultimately convert your visitors into paying clients or customers. And we all know that more conversions = more $$$ for your business!
With this in mind, I’ve put together 10 simple ways to update your website below…
1. Update your images
A quick cosmetic fix can make the world of difference! Start off by swapping your bio image for something a little newer. Then challenge yourself to update at least 5 other images on your site. These could be your page header images, a carousel on your home page, your ‘about us’ images, images of your team or office, product images or even sprucing up your site logo.
2. Create new headlines or page names
Another small update to your website that can make a huge impact in the overall appearance. Ensure that your page names are still relevant and reflect your products and services. While you’re at it, make sure they are strong, thought provoking and spark curiosity in your visitors, so that they feel compelled to read every word you have to say.
3. Create a new mailing list sign up form and incentive
You’ve worked so hard to get these visitors to land on your site, so you may as well make the most of them being here by capturing their data so you can get in touch with them in the future! Email marketing is SO important for online businesses, which you can read more about by clicking here. Make sure there are ample opportunities for site visitors to sign up to your mailing list by creating new embedded forms and pop-ups throughout your website. Better still, create an entirely new incentive or freebie to keep your visitors interested and encourage even more sign ups.
4. Update your ‘About Me’ and your bio
These are often the first elements of a website that we write, but also the parts that are most often neglected. Update your location, how many years you’ve been in business, your brand statement, your vision for the future of your brand, add in some company news, your recent achievements and your business milestones. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your wins!
5. Create a new blog post
This is one of the best ways to regularly update your website, providing your visitors with fresh, relevant and exciting new content to connect with each time they come back. To find out more info on why your business needs a blog and how to get it started, click here.
6. Add new client or customer testimonials
Social proof is a fantastic way to encourage people to make a decision in your favour, such as signing up to your emailing list, following you on social media or purchasing your product or service. When you get amazing feedback or reviews, make sure you plaster that goodness all over your site – don’t just keep it hidden on a ‘testimonials’ page. Add these testimonials to your bio, your product pages, your sidebars, your footers, your checkout carts and anywhere else that would help to nudge your potential customers in the right direction.
7. Create a monthly or weekly featured product or service
Think of this as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on one of your products or services by adding it to your homepage in a ‘product of the week’ or ‘most popular service’ featured area. A great way to bring attention to different areas of your business or inventory, as well as a super simple way to update your website!
8. Share your recent work
If you sell products, sharing your latest collections and items is probably a no-brainer. However many people in the service industries often forget to update their portfolios and case studies. Sharing your recent work is a great way to showcase your skills and provide your potential clients with a visual demonstration of your awesome capabilities!
9. Live stream your social channels
By adding a live Instagram, Facebook or Twitter feed to your website, your site will be constantly updated without you having to worry about it! Whatever you post on your social media channels will automatically appear on your website, creating fresh visual content and a new opportunity to convert your website visitors to social media followers.
10. Revamp your site completely!
If your initial DIY attempt is now looking unprofessional or outdated, or your inventory has outgrown your current sites capabilities, or maybe your business is desperate for a total rebrand – you might just need to bite the bullet and give your website a full makeover with a completely fresh theme, branding, images, copy and functionality. If you’re not up for the challenge yourself, please get in touch for a free quote so I can help you redesign your website and bring it back to life!
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