It’s a fact in just about any type of business today that websites need routine maintenance to continue to operate well and increase traffic. The good news is there are many ways for marketing pros to check in on their websites and take measures to ensure things are up to snuff. Software programs today tend to be designed with these steps in mind.
But with so much else to focus on, it’s easy to overlook even some basic yet crucial forms of website maintenance. The last thing you want is to lose a business opportunity or a potential customer due to bugs in your site or off-brand messaging that would have been relatively easy to remedy.
Are You Installing Plug-in Updates?
Whether your website uses a few plugins or fifty, it’s important to keep them updated so that it runs as efficiently as possible. Plugins exist to enhance and protect the capabilities built into the software, as well as to add some new ones.
If you’re concerned that updating or installing new plugins might negatively impact your site, keep in mind that they are designed to accomplish these tasks within the software environment, so there shouldn’t be any negative consequences. Think of them as essential to keeping the program up to date.
How Should You Update Your Plugins?
Popular programs like WordPress come with the ability to enable auto-updates. However, not all programs are the same, and many people still choose to do so manually, which requires keeping an eye out for new updates. And not all website software works the same or requires the user to access their dashboard, so you may need to figure this step out or hire someone to do it for you. Just be sure you’re updating the most recent plugin version available.
Why Is Testing Forms Important for an Updated Website?
Have you ever attempted to send a message through a form on a website, only for it not to go through? Perhaps some fields don’t fill properly, or it refuses to load. A malfunctioning online form doesn’t exactly spell out trust for your audience. Generally, any function that customers might perform on a site needs to be tested, and forms are at the top of the list.
With that in mind, be sure to test every form on your site to make sure it is functioning precisely as it should. Type in questions or information just as a prospective customer might. This task needs to be done on a regular basis. Hosting many forms or complex ones makes this step all the more vital to the overall functionality of your site – and to the well-being of the company.
If it turns out the forms are more complicated than necessary, then it’s time to fix that problem. While you’re at it, go ahead and test any links to ensure they work properly, as well.
Are You Adding Enough Fresh Content to Boost Your SEO?
Keeping content fresh and relevant is one of the more common tasks for busy marketers. But there’s a reason it has to be done. A website that hasn’t been updated in a year or whose blogs petered out months ago may send the message your business lacks activity. And keeping content fresh and new is a good way to boost your ranking online and make it easier to be located online. This is one area where enlisting the help of a digital marketing agency can pay off in dividends.
Does Your Design Fit Your Current Brand?
Just like refreshing content, certain changes to your brand as well as your business need to be reflected on your website. This can take the form of adjusting images and videos, rethinking template features, or anything else that visually translates better to your newer branding.
Does every aspect of your web design speak to your current messaging? From graphics to color palettes, make sure the overall appearance of each page continues to be in keeping with your larger branding strategy.
Have a Qualified, Highly Rated Digital Marketing Agency Help You Update Your Website
Growing organizations often lack the time and resources to give their website the attention it needs. At Connections Marketing, many of our marketing services can fill in those gaps. They are geared toward keeping websites exciting, effective and on brand. Our offerings include:
- Social media marketing
- Brand collateral
- Logo design
- Website design and development
- Website maintenance and support
Connections Marketing will help you convert your aging site into a sophisticated and interactive one that matches your brand and ranks higher online. Contact us to discuss how to get started.