Get A New Website That Performs

Time To Replace Your Dated Website?

The digital world is continuously changing. A new website can significantly improve your online presence and user experience.

Both Google and Facebook seem to add or modify algorithms every month that make marketing professionals heads spin. Most businesses never keep up with the anxiety attacks the big tech companies hand out like the free samples. We hope to share some knowledge in this article about securing your website, updating your website, and when it makes sense to get a new website. 

Secure Website:

Keeping your website secure starts with regular software updates. These updates protect against vulnerabilities and enhance your site’s defenses. By staying up to date, your website also benefits from improved performance and new features.

Check for the SSL Certificate.

Look at the URL of your company website. Do you see a prefix of HTTP or HTTPS? If it begins with “HTTPS” instead of “HTTP” it means the site is secured using an SSL Certificate (the s stands for secure). The SSL Certificate is no longer an option for websites. Ask your hosting provider what it costs for an upgrade to https. Many hosting providers such as LDR Hosting offers https as default, so there is no additional charge for this! 

Software updates keep your site performing its best:

We frequently hear the question – how often should I update the website? That depends on what site builder you have. If you have a WordPress builder, then you or your website manager will want to do a general update at least once a month. There are usually security patches, versions, and plug-ins that will need it. If you do not keep up with these issues, your site will be vulnerable to hacking. 

• Monthly security patches are vital for WordPress websites. 
• Joomla websites should be updated at least every 6 months, or as updates become available. 

Updating your Website Content:

Google loves websites that are continuously updated.  What is new in your industry? This makes a great topic for a blog! Be the expert and share your knowledge. Become a valuable resource for your customers, and they will return to your website to learn more. Have in place a content management plan, and stick to it. Use a calendar! Google wants to know your content is quality, keyword-rich, and relevant to the subject matter.

Optimize your Website Title Tags and Meta Descriptions:

On-page content (title tags and meta descriptions) should be checked and updated routinely. Add fresh content to your website’s home page every month. Great examples of this are to feature a product or service or change out a picture. Be sure at the same time that “dated” content is removed. Ask your customer service staff what questions are hot topics from prospects. Become the expert and add weekly interesting content worth reading, based on current areas of interest. This is a great resource for blog creation! 

Speaking of blogs, websites with blogs generate more leads! Google loves fresh content. People love to research. Provide great content, and watch your business grow! Look at your blog and page titles periodically and ask yourself, “Does my content contain the right keyword (or two)?” Powerful keywords increase your Google ranking. Keywords in titles also tell your readers what to expect in the article. Take a moment to double-check your content.

Great Updating Tips:

Before you update anything on the site, make sure you perform a backup, just in case something goes wrong. 

• We recommend that every six months business owners do a thorough website review and “SEO Audit”.
• Check for the relevancy of keywords and overall content. Can people find you be using your keyword choices?
• Check for broken links.
• Check how your website ranks compared to the competition.

How Often to Get a New Website?

Google search criteria and website software are always changing. Regular updates keep your website virus-free and performing better. So when do you get a new website rather than update the security patches and content?  At LDR we recommend every 3-4 years to replace the website entirely. Newer technology performs better! How slow is your website? Take a look at your websites “Look and Feel” from the perspective of a customer.  Does the website complement your business? Not sure, ask your sales manager if he (she) shows the website to their prospective clients. 

Does your Website Scream That it is Dated? 

• Ask for an SEO Audit to evaluate the website’s performance. Does an update make sense, or is a new website overdue? 
• Look at your competitors’ websites. Are they visually more appealing? Do they have more quality content? How about speed? 
• Make sure your site is mobile-friendly and responsive. If not, replace it with a new website! 

Mobile-Friendly and Responsive Websites Rank Better.

People are now spending up to two hours online on their smartphones every day. This is twice as long as on the desktop or laptop. If you have trouble viewing your site on your phone, you need to get it converted. Test your site’s mobility here. People are far less likely to stay on a website that is not mobile-friendly. 

Update or Replace: The Bottom Line

Bottom Line – We strongly encourage you to not let your website sit idol. Keep it updated with security patches, ongoing content updates, and keep it optimized. New software releases and changes in the modern look and feel can make your website obsolete.

Consider a website managed service plan that keeps your website performing its best. Do you trust your website design company? Discuss with them options. 

LDR Design Agency gets your business found on the Internet! We invite you to visit our blogs on an ongoing basis to read our digital marketing and SEO tips.

Looking to get your website found? Call Toll-Free: 888-886-8952 to get started. Let’s enjoy a virtual cup of coffee and discuss options that make sense to your business.