We have a few ideas on some easy to achieve things that you can do and added an idea of the timescales involved in doing these tasks.<\/p>\n
1. Remain constantly updated (5 minutes)<\/strong> 2. Think links (10 minutes – depending on how many links your site has)<\/strong> 3. Maintain your image (5 minutes)<\/strong> 4. Big up the back-up\u00a0(5 minutes)<\/strong> 5. Keep your functionality intact\u00a0(5 minutes)<\/strong> 6. Be content with your content<\/strong> (15 minutes)<\/strong> 7. It\u2019s all so SEO now!\u00a0(30 minutes)<\/strong> CONCLUSION<\/strong> However, if your business has started to outgrow your website, it\u2019s probably best to start with Tips 6-7 and rewrite as appropriate before starting to optimise with Tips 1-5.<\/p>\n So, at the very least cast your eye over this list of New Year Resolutions to improve your relationship with your website\u2026if only to reassure yourself that you are getting along fine. Otherwise, if it all goes wrong, you only have yourself to blame!<\/p>\n
\nMany people now use WordPress websites \u2013 they are accessible, cheap, and easy to maintain.
\nMake sure though, that you have administration privileges for your own website \u2013 it\u2019s surprising how many web developers retain this function and fail to pass it onto their clients.
\nTo check if you have administration privileges, on your dashboard you should see an UPDATE heading in the menu, and\/or a highlighted number next to PLUGINS.
\nClick on these and install any updates outstanding \u2013 this is the first thing any outsider will do if you call them in to resolve your website issues\u2026.so you might as well do it yourself!<\/p>\n
\nAs noted above, things change over time\u2026which means that any external links (i.e. from your website to other websites) will also change over time.
\nYour website won\u2019t flag these up.
\nYou can check them all yourself manually \u2013 easy if there aren\u2019t many.
\nOr, you can ask your web developer to check in the Google Developer section, where the Search Console will now automatically flag any broken links.<\/p>\n
\nDoes your website load promptly? Does it load correctly across a range of devices?
\nIf not, the chances are it is something to do with your images, especially when these are viewed on handheld devices and need to be resized or reconfigured.<\/p>\n
\nHousekeeping. Very boring. However, very essential if anything goes awry.
\nIf you have a service contract with your web developer, they should take care of this for you, but always best to check how regularly your site is backed up, especially if yours is a \u2018fast-moving\u2019 sales business. A monthly backup is ideal unless you are constantly updating your content then perhaps ask for weekly or daily backups.<\/p>\n
\nMost websites (if not all) have an embedded response to a \u2018Call to Action\u2019.
\nPut simply, in the CONTACT page, there will at the very least be a form where a website visitor can make enquiries.
\nIs this working?
\nIt sounds a daft question, but it\u2019s by no means uncommon for somebody to complain about no leads from their website and find out that their contact form has stopped working (or never even worked in the first place!)
\nNow, the first 5 tips are all relatively easy and quick to check; i.e. your website either loads correctly on a mobile device or it doesn\u2019t. The final 2 tips require a bit more brain power\u2026<\/p>\n
\nA website should not be a static tool \u2013 it should grow and evolve along with your business.
\nAt its very simplest, this could be merely posting a new blog, writing new testimonials\/case studies if your business hasn\u2019t changed at all, through to adding fresh content to reflect new business lines.
\nRemember that Google (other search engines are available!) rewards sites which refresh their content, and hence effectively penalises \u2018static sites\u2019 which are never changed.<\/p>\n
\nHow should people search for you when they went to find you?
\nThis goes deep into the very essence of your website; i.e. what is its purpose\u2026what are you seeking to achieve?
\nSo, you may want to have a good think about this before starting to optimise your website for SEO purposes.
\nEasy first step \u2013 ask friends\/customers how they would search for your product\/services online?<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re happy with your website and don\u2019t envisage changing it in the near future, at least check out Tips 1-5, or ask your web developer to run an update.<\/p>\n