We all make plans at the beginning of the year. Whether it is about personal or professional plans, now is the time to review what we have done and to make the plan for the year ahead. The same thing should happen regarding the activity of our company, business, or blog, regardless of its size or stage.
First step: updating the website!
We have already discussed, several times I believe, how important it is to keep the website updated with the latest information and changes that occur in the life of the respective company. Now, at the beginning of the year, we must pay special attention to it, to start the new year on the right foot and, especially, to see what changes need to be made to it.
If not a major change, at least a touch-up
In this field, of technology and innovation, everything changes very quickly. Therefore, we must try to keep up with the trends. It is preferable, therefore, that once a year, something changes in our online image. A complete website overhaul can sometimes be quite costly and may not be entirely necessary or beneficial. However, it is advisable to do an update, to introduce new features, new modules, to change some of the images used, texts, or colors, without completely breaking away from the old image, from the old website.
Organization
Whether in the form of an activity journal or a checklist, any form of activity organization is beneficial. Thus, a weekly checklist will help you keep the website updated. Depending on the nature of the business, this update may mean: updating available promotions, inserting new products or services available, changing prices, events you participate in, awards won, innovations, partnerships, etc. Publishing blog articles can also be successfully included here.
There may also be a monthly or quarterly list, in which aspects such as: checking all website pages, contact details, team structure – as it is in reality compared to what is presented on the site – checking all website functionalities (e.g., newsletter subscription, online ordering and payment, downloading files, offers, or documentation) are mentioned. Often such errors sneak into the site for various reasons and can affect the normal activity and, especially, the user experience on the company’s website to a greater or lesser extent.
Delegating tasks
In the case of a small presentation website, with a small number of pages and a weekly blog, the activity is not extensive, so it can be easily handled by one person. If it is a commercial website, it is clear that this will take much more time, so it is good to delegate tasks. Thus, everyone has their share of contribution and responsibility, deadlines can be set much more easily, and they can be accurately respected. These people should still periodically submit a report to have an overall picture and to see the progress made.
Another possibility is to outsource this service to a specialized company that can keep your website up to date, also offering maintenance of emails, the database, or the blog.
Don’t keep it to yourself!
If you have modified the website, made significant improvements, or have a new promotion, don’t keep it to yourself! For the public to find out that you have changed the website, that you chose red instead of green, or that you have a new feature, you must announce it on all online channels, not just leave it on the site. And the new colors/images/features should also be present in all other places where users can find you, social networks, and others. Otherwise, unwanted confusion will be created and people’s trust in you will decrease, not knowing if it is still you or someone else.
Create a calendar and stick to it!
You have made a plan regarding the activity and development of your business. Very good. Now make a plan for the website as well. Mark in the calendar the already planned events, updates, and major changes that are to take place. This way, you will know in advance what to expect and will be able to allocate enough time ahead to prepare the publication on the website.
Be foresighted!
If you have not modified the website this year in terms of appearance or functionality, think that you will have to do it next year! Or even sooner. Everything depends on the clients, what they want, and what the market demands now, in a month, or in six months.
Whatever the case, no matter how big or small the changes you have made so far to your website, it is obvious that you must pay attention to it. For your business. For your clients. And for Google. We know how much they like updated websites.
Good luck with the work!
