How Often Should You Update Your Website?
Have you ever been part of building a new website? Or, has your company gotten a new website built since you’ve been there? If so, you know that it can be a large task – and it seem like the work’s not done once the website goes live. But it needed to be done, so it was a job worth doing. However, now that it’s live, how often should you update your website? That can be a more difficult question to find the answer for.
Keeping your website updated is an all-important part of your business plan. You might call it, “image maintenance.” Just like auto makers refresh their vehicle designs every few years, so do businesses need to freshen up their website. If you’re not proactive, you may be missing opportunities to help your business outpace competitors.
In addition, you can use the process to make sure your content reflects who you currently are as a company. You may have heard of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Your site’s SEO value is how customers can find you on Google, Bing, or any other search engine. For that reason, you can understand that growing SEO value is crucial. However, over time, your site’s structure itself can start to hold you back from gaining SEO value.
So, How Often Should You Update Your Website?
Because your website isn’t a set-it-and-forget it machine, it has an expiration date. That date varies from site to site. This makes it difficult to know how often should you update your website. However, sites generally look dated within a few years. In addition, the programming components of the site start to fall behind the rest of the web as the site ages. Search engines also frequently update their algorithms. As they do, your website can find it harder to stay relevant. (That means customers will have a harder time finding your website through search engines – not good!)
We generally recommend a website redesign every 3-4 years.
However, this is not a rule written in concrete. Sites vary, and business needs do as well. But here are a few signs that your site is getting too old. For that reason, if you meet any of these criteria, you would be wise to start thinking about a website update.
- You’ve experienced major business growth over a short time
- You’ve rebranded your company
- Analytics show that site traffic is dropping fast for no obvious reason
- You’d like to add an online store to your website’s functionality
- Your website looks terrible on mobile phones and tablets
- You’ve never, ever updated your website
If you match any of those bullet points, it’s time to start the website redesign process.
To speak with a professional about updating your website, call Interactive ID at (888) 623-1891 or simply fill out our online form. We’d love to get to know you over a cup of coffee (virtual or in-person). Let’s talk about how to enhance your business’ online presence.