Why You Need To Update Your Website Frequently

by Brett Melville

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It’s important to perform updates when they are available because running your website on an outdated version can leave your site vulnerable to malware attacks.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Updating your content is important for SEO because outdated pages won’t rank well because Google wants to show the user the latest, most accurate information.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

What Is Internal Linking?

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.

Who is Digital Treasury?

We're a Melbourne-based digital agency with extensive experience helping Australian businesses build stronger online presences. Our team specialises in web design, development, hosting and SEO services - everything you need to get found online and convert visitors into customers.

Over the years, we've worked across different platforms and industries, giving us the insight to know what actually works for businesses like yours. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to improve your existing website, we focus on practical solutions that deliver real results for your business.

What types of businesses and industries do you work with?

We work with a wide range of Australian businesses, with particular expertise in healthcare, B2B services, SaaS companies, Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), professional services and e-commerce brands. Our team offers tailored SEO and web solutions that are customised to fit your industry, target audience and business goals.

Where is Digital Treasury located and do you work with businesses Australia-wide?

We are based in Melbourne but we work with clients throughout Australia. Our work is mostly done remotely by video conferencing and emails, which makes collaboration easier regardless of where your business may be based.

What services does Digital Treasury offer?

Our key services include Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Website Design, Website Development, Website Maintenance and Website Hosting. They are provided either separately or combined, ensuring that we provide you with one reliable source to help establish your online presence for your business.

How do I get started with Digital Treasury?

Getting started is easy. Just contact us for an initial conversation about what you want, your budget and timeframe. We will talk to you about what you need, give advice about the best way forward and provide you with a detailed, upfront proposal.

What makes Digital Treasury different from other agencies?

We integrate our technical skills with honest communication and a strong emphasis on results that will benefit your company. Being a small team allows us to give you personal attention, upfront costs and all the support we would give to our own project.

Do you work with small businesses and startups?

Absolutely. Many of our clients are small businesses and startups looking to establish or improve their online presence. We will make suggestions based on your particular situation and budget needs, providing useful services at affordable prices.

How do you communicate with clients and report on progress?

We are convinced that clear communication should be maintained consistently during any of our projects. In accordance with the chosen service, you will be updated about your project through emails, meetings and detailed reports. We maintain constant contact with you, answering your queries along the way.

How does Digital Treasury structure its pricing?

We keep our pricing straightforward by providing a complete project quote rather than breaking it down into confusing line items. This approach gives you a clear understanding of exactly what you'll pay for the entire scope of work.

Every project is different, so costs depend on your specific requirements and the complexity involved. We'll assess your needs and provide transparent pricing that reflects the full value of what we'll deliver for your business.

Am I locked into a long-term contract?

We believe in earning your trust through quality work rather than tying you down with restrictive contracts. For specific projects like website builds, we'll provide you with a clear upfront quote so you know exactly what to expect.

Our ongoing services like website hosting, maintenance and search engine optimisation work a bit differently - we discuss these on a flexible arrangement basis that suits your business needs and budget.

Can you 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.

What types of SEO services do you offer?

We offer a comprehensive range of SEO services designed to boost your online visibility. Our core services include technical SEO fixes, on-page and content optimisation, local SEO for Melbourne businesses, thorough keyword research, detailed SEO audits, strategic link building, and ongoing performance tracking.

Can you guarantee first-page or number-one rankings?

No reputable SEO agency can guarantee specific rankings because search engines like Google use complex algorithms that change frequently. These changes are completely outside anyone's control. What we can promise is our commitment to using proven, white-hat strategies that give your website the best possible chance of ranking well.

Rather than making unrealistic promises, we focus on sustainable SEO practices that build long-term visibility and drive genuine business results. Our approach is about maximising your opportunities for success, not making guarantees that simply can't be kept.

Do you offer local SEO for businesses targeting specific areas?

Yes. Local SEO ensures that your business is found in location-specific search results and map results, making it perfect if you offer your products or services within specific suburbs or locations. We ensure that we optimise your Google Business Profile and your website content for local search.

Do you help with content optimisation?

Yes. Quality and relevant content plays a very important role in effective SEO optimisation. We can optimise your current webpages as well as provide you with some suggestions for creating content based on your keywords.

How much does SEO cost?

Pricing for SEO is determined based on your specific business goals, how competitive your industry is and the amount of work needed to achieve results. We will customise pricing plans depending on budgets while giving you a definite quote right from the start.

How do you decide which keywords to target?

We do extensive keyword research to know how your prospective clients search for information on the internet. After analysis of various parameters like search intent, relevancy, competition and commercial value, we shortlist keywords that resonate well with your products and services.

Do I need to change my website's content for SEO?

Yes, quite often. We recommend refreshing existing content frequently or creating new pieces that better match what your potential customers are actually searching for online. Of course, changes should be carefully implemented with regard to your company’s tone of voice.

What is the contract length for your SEO service?

We ensure that our SEO agreement remains flexible as opposed to being committed to long-term contracts. Even though SEO is most effective when conducted on a continuous basis, we do not mind discussing agreements that work for your benefit.

Is it necessary to hire an SEO agency or can I do SEO myself?

You can surely do basic SEO on your own and we are happy to point you in the right direction. However, SEO is very time-consuming and keeps changing frequently. Hiring an experienced SEO agency will ensure that you get more out of it without having to think about it anymore.

How does backlink building contribute to SEO success?

Backlinks are simply links to your website from another website. Search engines consider backlinks as an indication of credibility and authority. Our approach is to build links to your site through ethical and sustainable methods, building up the reputation of your website in the process.

What does your website design process look like?

We start by understanding your business goals and target audience to ensure your website truly connects with your customers. From there, we develop a web design strategy and create initial designs that we refine based on your feedback. Once you approve the designs, we go ahead to the development phase.

When should I consider redesigning my website?

A redesign is worth considering if your site looks outdated, performs poorly on mobile, loads slowly, is difficult to update or no longer reflects your brand. A modern, well-built website can improve user experience, credibility and your ability to attract customers.

Which CMS platforms do you build websites on?

We specialise in Webflow and WordPress, selecting the most suitable platform for you. WordPress allows for versatility, whereas Webflow gives you a sleek design with easy maintenance. We will suggest the most appropriate choice for you.

Do you provide SEO with your website builds?

Yes. All our websites are developed using SEO guidelines like a clean layout, quick loading speed, mobile optimisation and solid on-page foundation. In addition to that, we have professional SEO service packages that help businesses increase their online presence.

Do you offer ongoing website maintenance?

Yes. We offer website maintenance services to ensure that your website is safe, up-to-date and working properly. This encompasses software and plug-in upgrades, security protection, backups and basic changes to give you a hassle-free experience so that you can concentrate on your business.

Can I migrate my existing site to your hosting?

Yes, we can absolutely handle the complete website transfer to our managed hosting platform without any hassle on your end. Our team manages the entire migration process, ensuring your site moves across smoothly without downtime or disruption to your business.

Can we provide feedback throughout the process?

Absolutely and we actually encourage it. Collaboration is at the heart of how we work, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to review our progress and share your thoughts at every stage. It ensures we're building exactly what you have in mind, rather than guessing what might work.

Will I own my website once it's built?

Yes. After completion of your project, the website will be yours. We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to issues of ownership and accessibility and would gladly take care of your requirements in this respect.

How long does it take to build a website?

The timeline for your website project really depends on what you're looking to achieve. A straightforward business website typically takes a few weeks from start to finish, while more complex builds with custom functionality or extensive content requirements will naturally take longer.

We'll give you a clear timeline estimate once we understand your specific needs during our initial consultation. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect and can plan your launch accordingly.

What kind of support do you provide after my website launches?

We don't go away once we've launched. We provide continuing support, maintenance and hosting to ensure that your website runs at optimum capacity. If you have any queries about how to develop your website, we will be there for you.

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