You probably already know the importance of having a website that effectively represents your business or organization. You may have even redone your website recently with a new look-and-feel to better connect with your customers or clients. However, unlike brochures and print ads, your website is a living, breathing organism that needs to be maintained on a regular basis. In order to make the most of your website investment, it is important to follow these website management tips after the launch of your website.
Website Management: Content
Most businesses and organizations are too busy to update their website content on a regular basis. For these companies, outsourcing content management to a single department or agency ensures consistency, and that your content is relevant and new. This is important for (1) your customers and (2) the search engines. If you want your customers to be able to find your website when they search the internet, you need to make sure your content is new and relevant – this is how search engines know to serve your website up in search results.
You may be thinking, how can I update my website that often? My services don’t change weekly or even monthly, and my phone number has been the same for 20 years. This is where your news and events, specials and promotions, and your blog become critical aspects of your website management strategy.
News and events: Publishing press releases, or adding event listings, to your website is a great way to keep your content current and give your customers a reason to come back to your website.
Specials and promotions: If you are offering a new and exciting service, or a discount on an existing service, say it loud and proud on your website. Change up these promotions frequently, and get the word out to current and prospective customers through email or other marketing tools.
Blog: Last by definitely not least is your blog. The content on your blog is website management gold – use it to show your expertise and provide valuable information to your customers. The blog should have keyword-focused content that will help you rank higher in search results. Add some flavor to your blog with videos and custom images.
You should update these prime content areas as often as possible, ideally one new piece of content each week. If you consistently post a blog this week, a news release next week, and a promotion the following week and repeat, you can give yourself a pat on the back for good website management.
Website Management: Platform and Security
Security Scan: At least once a month, you or your web management firm should do a complete scan of your website to check for security breaches or suspicious behavior. Has your website been targeted by hackers or bots? Are you receiving spam submissions through your contact form? Evaluating your security on a regular basis will help you track concerns and address them before they become a more pressing issue. Note, if your website contains proprietary or secure customer information, security checks should be done more often.
Platform & Plugin Updates: Also on a monthly basis, your web development platform and plugins should be reviewed for updates. If platform and/or plugin updates are identified, you or your development team should install those updates to ensure optimal performance of your website. Use caution when implementing these updates, because some updates can break elements of your website functionality without your knowledge. It’s a good idea to leave this task to a web developer or firm that can test the update on a development server before the changes are pushed to your live website.
Website Management: Design and Structure
Once a year, should give your website a good hard look. Has new technology been released that needs to be integrated? Have the search engines updated their algorithms, and now you need to improve your SEO (search engine optimization) strategy? Is your website design starting to look old and outdated? Have you hired new staff, added new services/divisions, or opened new locations in the last year? While all of these updates can be made as-they-happen, it’s important to schedule some time each year to do a comprehensive review of your website to ensure that it is up-to-date. There are numerous opportunities to create a new website, whether you need a quick and easy website design, or something more complicated, there are many options available.
Better Website Management helps Customers Find You
Following these tips for website maintenance can significantly improve the usability and findability of your website. When customers – and search engines – have an easier time finding you, you increase your opportunities for sales and growth exponentially.
About Millennium Agency
Millennium Agency is a nationally recognized, top woman led B2B branding, positioning, and digital marketing firm who knows how to create value that emotionally influences your customer’s buying decision, giving you the competitive advantage. As your trusted partner in B2B software technology and manufacturing, we provide the branding and positioning framework that make an impact – so you can focus on what you do best – run your business successfully. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, and a worldwide presence, the professionals at Millennium Agency would like to learn more about your business. Visit www.mill.agency or book time here.
Why Mobile, Why Now?
Have you ever found yourself asking: “Does my business need a mobile-friendly website?” If so, the answer is yes, and the time to upgrade your current website is now.
Take a look around and you’ll see the majority of those who surround you are fixated on their mobile devices. People of all ages are connected at all times of the day – having a responsive web design has proven to be an invaluable advantage for businesses.
Responsive web design alters and rearranges website layouts depending on the screen size of varying web browsers and devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.). Optimized web design ensures that your website adapts to any device, offers your consumers an ideal viewing experience and improves your site’s overall functionality.
Your Customers Want and Expect It
It’s no secret; your customers are no longer solely obtaining their information from desktops or laptops. With 90 percent of people switching between devices to accomplish tasks, your website needs to be multi-functional.
A mobile-friendly website offer your customers easier navigation and enhanced visibility. Today, consumers expect this level of functionality. However, adopting a responsive website isn’t as simple as some may think. Mobile phones have smaller display screens than a desktop computer, which makes traditional websites appear distorted and sometimes hard to read.
Traditional websites, not optimized for mobile devices, often feature long loading times and unfriendly interfaces. As a result, consumers tend to abandon these websites due to frustration and impatience. Embracing mobile-friendly strategies will help you retain valuable customers.
Google Favors Responsive Design
Google recognizes the importance of having navigation structures that work well across all devices and recommends responsive web design. In April 2015, the Google algorithm update transformed the way that Google displays mobile search results. Now, an poor user experience may be enough to tarnish a website’s SEO status.
Alternatively, responsive web design can boost businesses higher in search results and deliver organic traffic. More simply, websites that are responsive rank better than those that aren’t.
Give Yourself a Competitive Advantage
As a business, it is important to stay on top of technological advances and listen to the needs and desires of your consumers. Designing mobile-friendly websites that are optimized for functionality and consistency gains trust with users and builds your credibility. Only 56 percent of small businesses have websites that utilize responsive design. This is your chance to differentiate your brand from competitors.
It’s a Long-Term Solution
Embracing responsive web design can cut down on future design, development and maintenance costs. You will no longer have to manage two separate websites for mobile and desktop. Learning how to convert a website to mobile-friendly with responsive web design will ensure that your website remains optimized and functions as intended.
Are you ready to give yourself a competitive edge while increasing your website traffic? Whether you’re looking to revamp your website or start from scratch, Millennium can help. Call or email to connect with us at 877-873-7445 ext. 201 or [email protected].
About Millennium Agency
Millennium Agency is a nationally recognized, top woman led B2B branding, positioning, and digital marketing firm who knows how to create value that emotionally influences your customer’s buying decision, giving you the competitive advantage. As your trusted partner in B2B software technology and manufacturing, we provide the branding and positioning framework that make an impact – so you can focus on what you do best – run your business successfully. With offices in Boston and New Hampshire, and a worldwide presence, the professionals at Millennium Agency would like to learn more about your business. Visit www.mill.agency or book time here.