How frequently should you update your small business website?

Having a website is essential for your business and it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it sort of thing. You need to update it consistently, but how often? 

How frequently should you update your small business website?

Your website is your online presence, and it provides potential customers with an introduction to your business. But just having a website isn’t enough. It’s important to keep it updated regularly so that it remains relevant, user-friendly, and effective in driving traffic and generating leads. The question is, how often should you update your small business website? In this article, we’ll discuss how frequently you should update your small business website and why it is important. 

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how frequently you should update your website. It depends on several factors, including the nature of your business, the industry you operate in, your target audience, your budget, and your goals. However, a general guideline is to update your website at least once every six months but once a month is even better. 

One of the main reasons to update your website regularly is to keep it fresh and engaging for visitors. If your website looks outdated, visitors will probably think that your business is outdated, and may not take you seriously. On the other hand, a modern, up-to-date website can help establish your business as credible and trustworthy.

Updating your website also helps to improve your search engine rankings. Search engines prefer websites that are updated regularly because they tend to be more relevant and valuable to users. When you update your website with new content, it sends a signal to search engines that your website is active and alive, which can improve your rankings and increase your visibility in search results.

Another important reason to update your website regularly is to ensure it is user-friendly. Your website should be easy to navigate, with clear menus and an intuitive design. If visitors have trouble finding what they are looking for, they may become frustrated and leave your website. Regular updates can help you identify and fix any usability issues so that your website is as user-friendly as possible.

One aspect of your website that should be updated regularly is your content. Your website's content is one of the most important factors that determine how effective it is in generating leads and driving traffic. When you update your content regularly, you give visitors a reason to keep coming back to your website. You also increase the chances of your website being shared on social media and other online platforms, which can further increase your visibility and drive traffic to your website.

When updating your website's content, make sure to focus on quality over quantity. It’s better to have a few high-quality pages than many low-quality ones. Your content should be informative, engaging, and relevant to your target audience. Use keywords strategically to improve your search engine rankings, but avoid keyword stuffing, which can hurt your rankings and make your content seem spammy.

Your website's design is another aspect that should be updated regularly. Design trends and user preferences change over time, so it is important to keep your website's design up to date to ensure that it remains visually appealing and easy to use. However, avoid changing your design too frequently, as this can confuse visitors and make it difficult for them to navigate your website.

In addition to updating your content and design, there are several other aspects of your website that should be updated regularly, including:

• Security - Make sure that your website's security features, such as SSL encryption and firewalls, are up to date to protect your website and your visitors' data from cyber threats.
• Links - Check your website's links regularly to ensure that they are still working and that they lead to the correct pages.
• Images - Update your website's images regularly to ensure that they are high-quality and relevant to your content.
• Contact information - Make sure that your website's contact information is up-to-date and easy to find.

Updating your website on a regular basis is a great way to stay ahead of the competition and keep your business top-of-mind with new and existing customers. If you don’t have the time, energy, or skills to keep your website updated on a regular and frequent basis, you may be missing opportunities and might want to consider hiring a professional to help. 

Want to know more about maintaining your small business website? Read our article, “Why Websites Matter For Small Business”, or contact us.

Tags: small business, website