We get this question a lot. We just redid our entire website three years ago, when do you think we should update it again? The truth is it really depends on what type of organization you are, a non-profit website is very different from an e-commerce website. A corporate website is different from a local coffee store website. In this blog, we will walk you through the reasons we suggest you do keep your website updated. Depending on what kind of organization you are will determine how often.
In today’s highly competitive and fast paced digital world, your website needs to keep up with the times in terms of both looks and functionality. Today, the majority of us are spending more and more time online. In order to capture the attention of your customer, it’s critical to keep up with regular updates. Do not miss an opportunity to connect and grow your customer base.
So, here we go. Let’s discuss the main reasons for updating your website.
Reason #1: Up to Date Technology
Technology is changing at a rapid pace. Making sure you have the latest tech will make your website faster, more secure and provide a user experience that your visitors enjoy and help you grow your customer relationships and increase your profits.
Reason #2: Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
A common question is how often should we change our websites SEO settings? A good benchmark for you is Google’s algorithm. They make major changes to it about every 6 months. In addition to that, Google makes smaller changes fairly regularly. These changes can affect how you rank in search results. It is important to know that if you keep up with regular website updates, you will be viewed positively by most search engines. It is no surprise that the higher you rank, the more visibility your site will have, which has a direct correlation to your business goals and objectives.
Reason #3: Keep up With Design Trends
Just like Google’s algorithm, design trends change often. It is important to keep an eye on the latest trends, and make sure your website reflects them. When we talk about design trends, we are not just talking about colors, fonts, and shapes. This can mean the look of your website. Is it cluttered with a lot of text, or is it clean and simple looking with a short, to the point message? Lately organizations have been designing clean sites because it helps their customer experience. Another trend right now is motion on your website. It is a fact that motion gathers attention more so than static imagery. Any chance you have to get your customers’ attention, you need to do it.
Reason #4: Privacy, Privacy, Privacy
It is hard to sit in a meeting or on a zoom call and not hear the word privacy these days. It is top of mind for many organizations, and for good reason. If you have outdated security measures, your website is a prime and easy target for a hacker. This is an update you may need to do on an annual basis. If you use a content management system (CMS) you need to keep that updated as well. It is also important to be transparent about your privacy policies. Tell your customers what data you are collecting, and how and when it will be used. This will make your customer feel more comfortable, and will help you grow that relationship.
As we mentioned earlier, depending on what type of organization you are, and what your business goals and objectives are, you may not need to update your site for all of these reasons. If you have any questions about your website, or your content, we would love to help provide answers.
Have a great day!