End of the Year Website Checklist - Wrap Up Strong and Start Fresh!
Keeping your website up-to-date with the latest design trends will help you stand out and show your visitors you’re serious about your work.
Today, I’ll walk you through the most important updates you must make to your website to prepare for 2023.
Analyze your analytics:
Take a look at what's working--or not working. Your website analytics will tell you which pages are most popular, how long visitors stay on certain pages, and what keywords they use to find you. With this data, you can improve the current design, tailor your content, and ensure your website is optimized for search engine visibility.
Mobile-Friendly is a Must:
Ensure your website is responsive, has the right size buttons and fonts for all devices, and that pages load quickly. Pop-up windows are valuable tools, but they mustn't block the main content on the page, especially on mobile. Clients who can't see the content may get annoyed and look elsewhere. While checking for mobile compatibility, test your site using different browsers. Chrome and Safari are among the most popular, but you should check other browsers like Firefox and Edge.
Don't Let Your Website Date You:
Website designs change quickly, and it’s important to stay on top of what's current if you want your website to stand out. Analyze competitors' websites and take notes of the design elements they use effectively. Look for trends in color palettes, font styles, layout structure, and so forth, and consider how to apply these to your website. You want to avoid copying their exact design, but you can use it as inspiration for creating a unique website that looks modern and professional. You also need to ensure that your site's content is current. If you’re offering services, make sure your price list is up to date, and if you’re running a blog, ensure that any content published within the last year is still relevant.
Make an Impression:
Your website is the first impression many customers will have of your business. It's essential to make sure that impression is a good one. Professional photography can help you capture the essence of your business and show potential clients what they could expect if they worked with you. Stock photos are a great alternative if professional photography isn't in your budget.
Remove outdated pages from your website:
There are likely bits of content that need to be removed or updated. Look at the pages on your site and remove any links that lead to broken pages, outdated information, or irrelevant content. Refresh Your Homepage:
Your homepage is the first stop for most clients, so paying special attention when refreshing your website makes sense. Look at the page's content, images, and other elements and decide if they need an upgrade. Think about how you want visitors to feel when they land on this page, and ensure each element reflects that sentiment. Add a modern design or update the existing one to something fresh and eye-catching. Include information about new programs or services you're offering in 2023. The beginning of the year is a great time to announce your plans and get your clients excited about what's coming. You should also ensure your homepage is search engine optimized, so include keywords that match what potential clients might be searching for when they find you.
Change Up Your Old Visuals:
New visuals will make a huge difference in how your website looks and feels, even if you don't update any other content. Replace stock photos with visuals representing your brand, add new videos to show what you do, or even consider hiring a photographer for fresh images of you and your team. Update Your Security:
Finally, test your website for security vulnerabilities. Hackers constantly develop new attacks, and you must ensure your website is prepared against them. If you're using third-party applications, plugins, or scripts on your site, update them. If you use WordPress, update your software to the latest version, including the plugins. Log into your hosting provider and make sure that everything looks good. Make sure they have a backup. This will be important if something goes wrong.
Get Help if You Need It:
As an expert in Web Design, I understand how important it is for small businesses to have a professional website with a user-friendly experience. With my custom website design packages tailored to your needs, you can feel confident that your website looks and functions just how you want it to.
I'm passionate about helping service-based business owners create websites they love. Let me help you make the most of your website in 2023 – reach out today for more information!