5 Steps on How To Update Your Website

Your website serves as the fresh face of your online business. However, as trends evolve, your website must keep up with necessary updates. Otherwise, it risks falling behind in the customer conversion arms race. What should you do now?

It's time to think about a full-blown website update!?

Updating your website is giving it a glamorous makeover, from its website design, speed, and other functionalities. Staying updated on current design trends ensures that your website remains competitive in the ongoing race to convert customers.

Your definitive guide to that is right here! Dig deeper through the step-by-step process of turning your business website back to its brand-new state, ditching the outdated design, fixing those pesky bugs, and optimising your site for better rankings.?

The 5-step website update plan

Now that you know why your website needs a new look, let's take you to the necessary steps to achieve the on-brand, on-target website makeover for your business.?

Updating the website's visuals

• Use of visually appealing photos

The visuals on your website significantly influence your customers' overall impression. To captivate their attention, utilise visually appealing, professional photos, illustrations, and graphics. Invest in high-resolution images that are optimised for all devices.

• Optimising the images?

Compress your website images to reduce loading times but maintain quality. Use appropriate formats like JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics with transparency.

• Trying video content

Video content also transforms a bland website into an on-form one. You can include video content to better showcase your products and services, or tell your story. Ensure videos are short, engaging, and mobile-friendly.

• Using icons and infographics?

Icons and infographics can break up text and visually represent complex information in an easy-to-understand way.

Lastly, maintain a consistent brand image through a brand-reflecting colour palette, fonts, and styles.?

Enhancing user experience

User experience is important if you're updating your website. This provides a wholesome experience for all users when they're on your website.?

• For content

As a general rule, use clear and concise language when writing content. Avoid reader stress by breaking up chunks of text with headings, subheadings, and bullet points. Offer downloadable resources like brochures or white papers for their easy reference.?

• For navigation

Keep your menu bar and underlying items simple and intuitive. For better understanding, use consistent terminology and icons throughout the site.?

Link to relevant pages within the content for a seamless browsing experience. Lastly, offer a 'breadcrumb' trail to show users their location on the site.

• For call-to-action (CTAs)

CTAs play a crucial role in converting your website visitors. Therefore, it's essential to use clear and concise calls to action (CTAs) that explicitly tell users what action you want them to take.

Position CTAs prominently and use contrasting colours to make them stand out. Also, make sure CTAs link to relevant and high-value pages.

• For forms

Your website might use forms for customer's use. In doing so, keep them as short as possible and only collect necessary information.?

Use clear labels and validation to prevent errors. For maximised user comfort, offer auto-fill features and progress indicators.

Improving technical performance

While your design can attract attention to your updated website, its improved performance undoubtedly retains visitors, encouraging them to explore your unique proposition, products, and services further.

• Optimising website speed

Your website's speed must exceed the rate at which visitors lose interest. To achieve this, minify and combine CSS and JavaScript files and enable browser caching for static assets.

Then, consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to deliver content faster globally.

• Improving server response times

Upgrade your current hosting plan to a better one if necessary and utilise database optimization techniques to ensure your site stays up-to-date. Additionally, consider using a caching plugin to reduce server load and improve performance.

• Making it mobile-friendly

Most of your website visitors are using mobile devices, so ensure your website is responsive on mobile. It should adapt to different screen sizes and devices seamlessly.?

Optimising content

Your website visitors also come in to read and learn more about its content. Having an updated content strategy positions your website ahead of everyone else.

• Content auditing?

Create a list of all your website content, including blog posts, pages, product descriptions, etc. Next, evaluate each piece for relevance, accuracy, and value to your audience.

• Keyword research

Keyword research identifies relevant terms your target audience is searching for. Optimise your titles, meta descriptions, headings, and content with these keywords organically.

• Updating blogs

If you've written blogs before, update the information to ensure it's current and accurate. Keep an eye on industry trends, news updates, and competitor insights to ensure your content remains fresh and relevant.

• Value proposition

Highlight the value your business offers to your target audience. Tailor content to specific user needs and showcase problem-solving solutions or benefits.

• Internal linking

Link relevant content within your website. This helps users navigate and discover more information, improves SEO, and keeps them engaged.

Securing your website

Website security is crucial for protecting your data, your users' information, and your brand reputation.

• Software updates

Regularly update your content management system (CMS), plugins, themes, and any other software used on your site. Outdated software often holds vulnerabilities hackers can exploit.

• Passwords and credentials

Enforce strong, unique passwords for all user accounts and administrator access. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. Consider using a password manager for secure storage and management of your website data.

• Website protection

Secure your website with an SSL certificate (HTTPS), an important piece when doing website security updates. This encrypts communication between your site and visitors, protecting their data.?

Regularly scan your website for vulnerabilities using security scanners, and address any identified vulnerabilities promptly to prevent it from going large-scale.?

Keep your website updated!

Revitalise your outdated website with the makeover it deserves! These tips and steps will set you on the path to transforming your website to meet your business needs.

Still have questions? Elephant in the Boardroom can revamp a website into a killer one! Unlock your business potential at www.elephantintheboardroom.com.au, Melbourne's top website design and development agency!