Why You Should Update Your Website Regularly
Websites are the lifeblood of many companies. They serve, in one respect, as an online business card. Your website will often be the first impression people get of your company. Therefore it is important to make that it is the best it can be. Regular updates are a key to a successful site. There are several reasons why this is important. Here’s why you should update your website regularly.
Security
While there are many great things about the technological advancements in our world, they have also brought new threats. Cyber security is extremely important as more and more information is shared digitally. As a site owner, you need to make sure your website is safe for users and that you yourself are guarded against potential hackers. Updating plugins and content management systems is a great way to make this happen. Regular updates are released to help fight against security threats. Whether you are using WordPress, Drupal, or some other CMS, make sure your software is up to date to help ensure maximum security.
SEO
Search Engine Optimization is the process by which the quality and quantity of web traffic are improved. SEO seeks to ensure that your website is one of the first results people see. Google has the ability to analyze web content, and it filters out the sites with outdated or irrelevant information. Consistent updates to your site help keep your information fresh and can improve your visibility in the search results.
Visual Appeal
Not all updates need to be content related. As culture and trends change, it is important to make sure your site is still aesthetically pleasing. People tend to judge according to what they see. Use color and designs that look fresh and lively. Color plays a big part in subliminal communication. No matter how good your content or products are, some people may disregard your site if it looks old and outdated. Remember mobile sites are the main source of traffic so make sure to design them to make sense for all views!
Load Times
We live in a fast-paced and impatient world. It is crucial to make sure your website’s load times can keep up with the demand. One study found that a 100 millisecond delay in load time can cause a 7% drop in conversion rates. One second brings that drop up to 70%. Updating your website allows you to ensure speedy load times which can keep site users happy. As a bonus, this can help your SEO ranking. Google ascribes higher value to websites with fast load times.
Content Revision
Updating your website is a great opportunity to revise old content with new information. Optimizing an old blog post is a great way to generate organic traffic. This also allows you the opportunity to look for broken links within your content pages. Since you’re not the only one updating your website, it’s possible an outbound link no longer exists. If another site owner updated their content and deleted a page you linked to, that can hurt your SEO ranking. Make sure that all of your content and data is fresh and up to date.
Although this may seem like a lot of work, consistent and routine maintenance makes it more than manageable. However, the work that you put into your site always pays out in the long run.
Let Us Help You!
If you need help with updating your website, let us know. Don’t forget, Inque Media can help you make your mark online!
Natalie Thibault
Owner of Inque Media
