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Why You Need To Update Your Website Frequently
February 11, 2021
Do you update your website regularly?
And I don’t mean updating the product listings.
Today’s online market is highly competitive and updating your website regularly allows your business to grow and lift it to the top of internet searches.
In this article I’ve outlined some key reasons why you should update your website frequently and how often you should do it.
Keep reading to learn more.
Why Update Your Website Frequently?
There are three main reasons why you need to update your website frequently:
- Security
- SEO
- Design & Conversions
Below, we've explained in greater detail why they are important.
1. Security
To ensure that your website is secure, you need to update the content management system (CMS), themes, templates, plugins and apps. Each CMS is different but if you’re using WordPress then you will need to make sure that your WordPress version, plugins and themes are updated to the latest version.
It’s important to perform updates when they are available because running your website on an outdated version can leave your site vulnerable to malware attacks. When software developers find glitches or security issues, you get alerted to update your phone or laptop, so it’s the same for your website.
While plug-ins can increase your website’s security, they can also cause problems if the plug-in was poorly coded or is a scam. Make sure any plug-ins you add to your website are from an official website or source. According to Imperva’s The State of Web Application Vulnerabilities in 2018 report, 98% of WordPress vulnerabilities are due to plug-ins.
2. SEO
Have you got pages on your website that haven’t been updated in a few years? Updating your website content (including blog posts) is important for helping your website rank in search engines.
Updating your content is important for SEO because outdated pages won’t rank well because Google wants to show the user the latest, most accurate information.
Do you see search results that have the year in the title? That’s because they’ve updated their content to rank in searches. That doesn’t mean re-writing the whole article, but making sure that the content is refreshed and still applicable to the reader today.
If your content was ranking well before but has now fallen, see what your competitors are saying about that topic and update your content so it’s relevant. Conducting a search engine results page (SERP) analysis can help you increase your rankings.
3. Design & Conversions
As online competition increases so do your customers' expectations and needs. If a visitor to your website is having difficulty finding the information they’re after, they’ll simply go to a competitor’s site and you’ve lost a potential customer.
There are many reasons for someone leaving a website including:
- Lack of responsiveness on a mobile or tablet device
- Unable to find menu bar
- Non-existent pages
- Buttons that don’t link to anything
- Having to click on multiple links to find products/content
Having a poorly designed website also sends a bad signal to Google and other search engines. If visitors have a bad experience on your site, then this will harm your rankings. People spend so much time online now that they can quickly tell when a website hasn’t been updated in a long time.
It’s worth investing the time and effort into having a responsive and well-designed website so people will come back again.
How Often Should You Update Your Website?
If you’re wondering how much time or effort needs to be spent into keeping your website up to date, it depends on a number of factors including:
- The type of update (CMS, security, etc.)
- The industry you work in
- The needs of your customers
Below we discuss in more detail how often you should update your website based on the three key factors we mentioned above.
Security Updates (Plugins, Apps, Themes, CMS, etc.)
We recommend updating your software as soon as any security updates are released. It’s also important to check for any minor updates after any major updates, as often small glitches can be found by developers shortly after a major update is released. Cybersecurity should be one of your main concerns as your clients are trusting you with their personal information.
Content Updates
If your blog post or content is performing well, then there’s no need to update it. However, if you see your content rankings start to drop, then it’s probably time to update the content and find out what people are searching for when they want information about this topic.
Depending on what industry you work in, you might have your own industry insights that are unique to your competitors which are worth posting about as well.
Design Updates
I’d recommend doing a complete website redesign every 3-4 years. This means you can go through your whole website and find any areas that need to be changed to help with SEO. It’s also a good idea to refresh your branding too.
Is your logo looking a little outdated? Maybe it’s time for a new look. Remember it doesn’t have to be drastic. When you look at any big company, when they rebrand it’s often quite subtle because they still want people to recognise them. The main thing is to make sure your website is functional and easy for people to navigate.
Final Thoughts
That's it! We hope you have enjoyed this article on why it's important to update your website. If you did, make sure to check out some of our related articles below:
4 Steps To Creating a Flawless Website
How To Do Keyword Research: An Actionable Guide
If you would like us to maintain your WordPress website for you, check out our WordPress maintenance service. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Your Provide Case Studies Or Examples Of Previous Work?
Yes, we can provide case studies and examples of our previous work. Potential clients frequently request these to see concrete evidence of our past successes. They want to understand how we’ve helped similar businesses achieve their goals through SEO and website development. Our case studies typically highlight our clients’ challenges, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results we achieved, such as increased traffic and higher conversion rates. This builds trust and demonstrates our ability to deliver on our promises.
Do You Offer Ongoing Maintenance And Support After The Website Is Launched?
Post-launch support is crucial for maintaining website performance and security. Clients want to know if the company provides:
Regular Updates: Ensuring the website remains up-to-date with the latest software versions and security patches.
Technical Support: Assisting with any issues that arise, such as bugs or downtime.
Content Updates: Offering services to update or add new content as the business evolves.
Performance Monitoring: We regularly check the site’s speed, uptime, and other critical metrics to ensure optimal performance. This ongoing support provides peace of mind, ensuring that the client’s website remains effective and secure over time.
What is SEO, And Why Is It Important For My Business?
SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) is a digital marketing approach focused on boosting your website’s presence on search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo. By refining different elements of your site—such as content, meta descriptions, and backlinks—SEO works to improve your website’s position in search engine results. This increased visibility is vital as it attracts more organic traffic, potentially leading to a rise in leads, sales, and overall business success. Businesses frequently discuss the basics of SEO, its importance in attracting targeted visitors, and how it supports wider business goals.
How Long Does It Take To See Results From SEO?
SEO is a strategy that requires a long-term commitment, and it's essential to have realistic expectations from the outset. Typically, businesses may notice significant improvements within 3 to 6 months. However, this can differ depending on factors such as the level of competition, the industry, and the website's current condition. While addressing technical issues can result in some early successes, meaningful increases in rankings and traffic usually develop over time. Clients often ask for a clear timeline to gauge when they might start seeing a return on their investment (ROI).
What Does Your SEO Process Involve?
Website Audit and Analysis: Conduct a thorough evaluation of the site to pinpoint strengths, weaknesses, and areas that can be enhanced.
Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords that your potential customers actively search.
On-Page Optimisation: Improving various on-page elements such as meta tags, headers, content, and internal linking to increase site effectiveness.
Content Development: Crafting high-quality, engaging content tailored to the needs of your target audience.
Link Building: Securing backlinks from credible websites to enhance the site's domain authority.
Technical SEO:Ensuring the website is technically robust, with fast loading speeds, mobile responsiveness, and secure connections.
Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment: Regularly track performance and make necessary adjustments based on data and trends. Clients ask about these steps to ensure they are investing in a thorough and effective SEO strategy.
How Do You Measure The Success Of An SEO Campaign?
Success in SEO is measured through a variety of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including:
Organic Traffic: The number of visitors coming to the website from search engines.
Keyword Rankings: The position of targeted keywords in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Conversion Rates: The percentage of visitors who take desired actions (e.g., filling out a form, making a purchase)
.Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave the site after viewing only one page.
Domain Authority: A score that predicts how well a website will rank in SERPs based on factors like link quality.
ROI (Return on Investment): Evaluating the financial return from SEO activities in comparison to the cost. Clients want to understand these metrics to gauge the effectiveness and profitability of their SEO investments.
How Do You Stay Updated With The Latest SEO Trends And Best Practives?
SEO is an ever-evolving field, with search engines like Google regularly updating their algorithms. We make it a priority to stay ahead of these changes.This might involve:
Continuous Learning: Attending industry conferences, webinars, and training sessions.
Membership in Professional Organisations: Being part of SEO communities or organisations that provide the latest insights.
Regular Testing and Experimentation: Consistently testing new strategies and adapting to changes in algorithms.Industry Research: Staying informed with the latest studies, white papers, and expert opinions in the digital marketing sector.We are confident that our SEO strategies are current and that we are proactive in adopting best practices.
Do You Offer Ongoing Maintenance And Support After The Website Is Launched?
Post-launch support is crucial for maintaining website performance and security. Clients want to know if the company provides:
Regular Updates: Ensuring the website remains up-to-date with the latest software versions and security patches.
Technical Support: Assisting with any issues that arise, such as bugs or downtime.
Content Updates: Offering services to update or add new content as the business evolves.
Performance Monitoring: We regularly check the site’s speed, uptime, and other critical metrics to ensure optimal performance. This ongoing support provides peace of mind, ensuring that the client’s website remains effective and secure over time.
How Do You Ensure That My Website Is User Friendly And Optimised For Conversions?
Yes, we ensure that your website is both user-friendly and optimised for conversions. We understand that clients want a website that attracts visitors and encourages them to take action. To achieve this, we focus on several key areas:
User Experience (UX) Design: We create an intuitive and engaging interface that makes navigation easy and enjoyable for users.Responsive Design: We ensure your website is mobile-friendly and looks great on all devices.
Call to Action (CTA): We strategically place buttons and forms to prompt users to take the desired actions.
Speed Optimisation: We ensure fast load times to reduce bounce rates and keep users engaged.
Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO): We analyse user behaviour and make data-driven adjustments to increase the percentage of visitors who convert.By incorporating these principles, we maximise the chances of turning your website visitors into customers.
