When did you last take a proper look at your own website?
Not just a quick check to see that it’s working, but a good look at it through the eyes of someone visiting for the first time.
If you’re busy running a small business, it’s easy for your website to slip down the priority list. You might have spent considerable time and money getting it up and running, but since then you’ve been concentrating on your clients and the day-to-day demands of your business.
Meanwhile, things change. Your services develop, your experience grows, and the information on your website gradually becomes out of date.
But does that mean it’s time for a complete rebuild? Not necessarily.
Small changes can make a big difference
Sometimes a website just needs a little attention.
Perhaps your homepage no longer reflects what you actually offer. You might have new services to promote, testimonials that haven’t been added, or photographs that could do with replacing.
Or perhaps your website has grown over time and the navigation no longer makes much sense. Visitors may be struggling to find the information they’re looking for, even though it’s all there somewhere.
Recently, I worked on an existing business website where relatively minor changes made a noticeable difference. Simply increasing the font size and adjusting the balance of the homepage made it much easier to read and more visually appealing. No expensive redesign, just a few thoughtful improvements.
A few carefully considered changes can make a website clearer, more welcoming and easier to use.
Try looking at your website as a visitor
It’s worth putting yourself in the shoes of someone who knows very little about your business.
- Is it immediately obvious what you do and who you help?
- Can visitors find your services and contact details easily?
- Does the website work properly on a mobile phone?
- Are the photographs, testimonials and information still relevant?
- Are there broken links or pages that haven’t been updated for years?
It’s surprising how many small improvements become obvious when you look at a website with fresh eyes.
And don’t forget that a website which looks lovely on a large computer screen might be much less appealing on a mobile phone.
Another thing worth checking is how your website looks in dark mode. Many people now use this setting on their phones or computers, either permanently or automatically at certain times of day. I recently discovered that my own website looked quite different in dark mode, and not in a good way! It’s an easy thing to overlook when you’re used to viewing your website with the same settings every day.
Keeping things up to date
A website shouldn’t be something you create once and then forget about.
Regular updates help keep it useful and relevant. Adding a new testimonial, refreshing a services page or publishing an occasional blog can all help demonstrate that your business is active.
There are also less visible jobs to consider, particularly with WordPress websites. Keeping software and plugins updated, checking that forms work and making sure backups are in place are all part of looking after a website.
None of this needs to become a major project, but it’s worth having someone keeping an eye on things.
Do you really need a new website?
Sometimes the answer is yes. A website may be built on outdated technology, difficult to maintain or simply no longer suitable for the business.
But often, an existing website provides a perfectly good starting point.
In my website work, I enjoy looking at what’s already there and finding ways to make it better. That might involve reorganising content, simplifying pages, adding new sections or improving how everything fits together.
It’s not always about creating something completely new. Sometimes it’s about making what you already have work harder for you.
A little help can go a long way
Of course, knowing that your website needs attention and finding time to do something about it are two different things.
You might be perfectly capable of making changes yourself, but would rather spend that time doing what you do best. Or perhaps you’re worried about accidentally breaking something.
I help small businesses with website updates, content, layout and ongoing administration, particularly using WordPress. That might mean tackling a list of small jobs, improving existing pages or helping you work out what needs doing next.
Your website doesn’t necessarily need a complete makeover. It might just need someone to give it a little care and attention.
If that sounds familiar, have a look at my services or get in touch for a chat.