There are few traditions more satisfying than the annual spring clean. The flowers are blooming and the birds are singing – everything feels new and fresh.
Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to spruce up our homes and get a head start on the busy warm-weather season. While working to clean the clutter, don’t forget your web site.
Websites have a way of collecting clutter, just like our homes, cars and offices. Take the advice from DNS Made Easy experts on how to clean out your virtual stock pile. Check out our 10 tips for a cyber clean up.
Check your links. There is nothing more frustrating when looking for information and clicking a link, only to find out it doesn’t work. Sift through your site, clicking each link to make sure it is taking visitors to the intended page, or that it works at all. If a link is broken, make sure to fix it as soon as possible. If the information is outdated, take out the hyperlink.
Check your content. Do you still offer all the same services? Have they been upgraded and now you offer more? Make sure the content portrays what you offer now. Update information as necessary and include new features.
Optimize site structure. If your site has built up too many pages, see what you can cut out or combine. If you don’t like sifting through 50 pages to find what you need, most likely, others will feel the same. Create a structure where visitors can find your information quickly – within three clicks.
Consider a redesign. We all like a freshly painted room, and the same goes for the look and feel of a web site. If it’s been a few years since your last redesign, consider an overhaul. A complete redesign isn’t necessary all the time. Look into changing up photos, themes and other images to add some pep to the page.
Remove dated images. If your site still has the holiday party pictures posted on a main page, then it is time to move on. Keeping photos from past events is fine, but don’t make those the main attraction of your site. Holiday photos in the middle of summer make your site outdated and visitors may assume your products and services are outdated too.
State the obvious. When visitors come to your site, the end goal is to make a connection or sale. The only way to do that is to clearly communicate how people can reach you. It might seem obvious, but many sites are lacking in contact information on their web sites. Make it clear how people can find out: phone, address or email.
Update your copyright. Check your stats and if your copyright is outdated, make sure to change it to the proper year. This is also a helpful reminder to renew any licenses or certificates needed for business. Updating copyright protects your information. Also, old copyrights might project the misnomer of misguided priorities. Current copyright shows business are on top of things.
Update local listings and external links. Did you move to a new location and need to update your map? Did you link to a business or site that is now shut down? Make sure all listings are correct and external links are directed to the proper place.
Add a Sitemap. If you don’t have a sitemap on your website, you are losing out on Search Engine Optimization rankings. A sitemap will display what pages you have on your site. Your web master can easily add this to the line up while fixing and updating content and links.
Ask for help. Don’t be the only person reviewing your site. Many eyes catch more errors. Having other people look for broken links, check content and provide ideas takes the burden off it being a one-worker job. Look to coworkers for feedback and assistance.
