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| Is your website “responsive”? If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, a responsive website responds: It adjusts depending on the device it’s being displayed on, whether that is a desktop, phone or tablet. That makes it easily viewed whatever the situation. Although the text and images on your site likely stay the same, take the opportunity to review every single page, or have someone experienced do it. It is a good reminder too of things that can go wrong and/or need updating on a website over time. Here are some things to watch for on your own site: 1. Check Your Links. It can be shocking the number of broken links found. But I guess it makes sense – some of them are put there possibly many years prior when first launched or last updated. By the way, make sure that when a link takes somebody off your site (e.g., to a book you mention), that it “opens a new tab” in the browser. That way your website visitor can easily click back to your site and keep looking around. Making this happen is just a simple setting when creating the link. 2. Read Every Page. Yes, read every single page on your site. Does it represent you? Is your message clear? Could someone reading your site understand why they would want to work with you? Is your phone number on your contact page (really, I saw this missing on a website just today)? Take the time to read every blog post too. (I just did this and there were missing titles! All fixed now!) Correct font discrepancies, spacing issues, links that are different colors than the website palette. Some just plain need to be taken down because they no longer make sense. It takes some time, but it is worth it to be confident that every page looks consistent. 3. Get Great Graphics. Take a close look (with your reading glasses on if necessary) at the graphics on your website. Is your logo pixelated (fuzzy)? Do you have images with a white background instead of transparent on pages that have a colored background? How old is your head shot? Are you using bland stock photography? Time to upgrade if any of this is you. 4. Check on YOUR Phone. More than half of the visitors to your site will do so on a phone – make sure your site looks good and is easily readable. (This is precisely where I found fixable problems on mine.) 5. Review Your Dashboard. Take a peek at the back-end of your website (or get a qualified professional to do it with you). Are there plugins that you aren’t using that might be slowing things down? Is your website running on the latest version of WordPress (or whatever you run your website on)? Keep your website running smoothly by paying attention to these important details. Remember, that for many people, your website is the first place where they will form an impression of you and your business. Take steps now to make sure the impression is a good one! |