7 easy and impactful ways to refresh your website for the new year

A website isn't a 'set-and-forget' marketing tool: it's a living digital tool that requires regular attention and care. The last thing you want is to give the impression your website hasn't been touched in years (last blog post published in 2015 anyone?)

That said, as entrepreneurs we are busy creatures and sure, you may not have time to embark on a full website refresh. Luckily for you, today's post is short and actionable so you can prep for the new year with an effective website. And the best part? It all involves minimal effort. Let’s get started!

1. Review your call-to-actions

Ensure each of your website pages has a clear call-to-action (CTA). This prompts visitors to take the next step, whether it's booking a consultation call, downloading your freebie or subscribing to your weekly emails.

When reviewing your CTAs, make sure to keep your main website goals in mind and use active, descriptive language, such as 'Book your consultation call' or 'Send me the freebie!' as it helps increase conversions.

2. Check for any broken links

Broken links have a negative impact on your website experience. They drive away traffic and as a result, negatively impact your search engine rankings.

It's always best practice to check regularly that your website links are working. Thankfully, doing so is a piece of cake these days. No need to manually check each link; you can use tools such as the broken link checker which is easy and only takes a few minutes. Once you know which links are broken, you can either replace or remove them.

3. Update your website footer to the current year

Show your business is still active by changing the copyright date in your website footer to the current year. This sounds like a minor detail, but forgetting to update your copyright year after year can give the impression your website has been abandoned. Imagine landing on a site where it says 'Copyright © 2014' — wouldn't you wonder if the company is still in business?

4. Add new testimonials and case studies

As your business grows, the kind of clients you're working with might evolve too. It’s a great time to update your website with newer testimonials that attract the kind of clients you want to work with.

If you don't have new testimonials, it's time to get in touch with past clients to obtain those. Don't worry if it's been a while since you've worked with a past client: if they were happy with your services, chances are they would be delighted to support you.

Bonus point: In addition to testimonials, you might want to add any recent ‘trust seals’ you’ve received, whether it’s being featured in a publication or winning an award.

5. Refresh your website visuals

Swapping your imagery is a great way to give your website an instant facelift with minimal effort.

Perhaps your website is lacking a bit on the visual side, and sourcing more pictures would give it some breathing space and increase engagement.

Another question to ask yourself is whether the imagery you’re currently using is as relevant and engaging as it could be. I encourage you to read through your content and see if you can find better pictures to illustrate your copy.

Finally, you might want to swap stock imagery with custom photography that truly represents you and your business. Perhaps 2024 is the year to get those professional photos finally done?

6. Update old blog posts

Content can get a little out of date after a while, which is why I like to revisit existing blog posts and see how I can improve them.

Often, that's because:

• My point of view has changed
• There's new data available
• Industry trends have evolved
• The world has changed

Updating old blog posts is a great way to boost your SEO by ensuring your content stays relevant. It positions you as a trusted expert who follows and understands the trends in your industry.

7. Test your site on various devices

Last but not least, check your website works seamlessly on mobile and tablets and provides an engaging experience on all devices. Mobiles account for at least half of all web traffic worldwide, after all!

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If you’re looking to get more out of your website this year, such as more conversions and bookings, then I’d love for you to join me on an absolutely free website call.

During this free 30-minute call we’ll:

• Review your website and identify areas for improvement, so you can understand where your website is holding you back and opportunities to shift it to make it even more effective
• Talk about the mistakes people make on their website and the 3 easy ways you can improve yours to increase engagement
• Leave the call with 3 personalized action items so you can increase your conversions, feel more confident and ultimately grow your business.

Head over to https://www.milkteaweb.com/call to book your spot!