How often you should update your website depends on your business, site content and functionality.
During the website development stage of your small business website is when you should consider how frequently information will need to be updated. Updating your website requires time! Keep in mind, if you don't have the time to perform regular updates it might be better to not include certain aspects. The quickest way for your visitors to stop coming to your website, is for them to see incorrect or out of date information.
Here are 3 business scenarios and their recommended Website Update Frequency:
A local Retail Store with Online Inventory
Any time you offer items for sale to your website visitors you will need to update your website on a weekly, if not daily basis. Your customers will get turned off really quick if they see you haven't updated your site. Inventory changes, prices fluctuate, sales come and go.
If it's the middle of December and you're still advertising Thanksgiving specials, it's a red flag to your visitors that you don't take your business and your customers seriously. Keep your inventory up to date and make it as easy as possible for your customers to make a purchase.
A local Service Company
Most likely your services and contact information don't change very much over the years, chances are you've had the same phone number for many years. You only really have to update your website if you add a new service, change prices or if you offer a special to your customers.
Update your services as soon as possible, including prices and any additional fees. There should be no surprises for your clients. This is one of the most crucial elements of a successful service website. To add additional value for your website visitors and for search engine optimization, you should consider adding some fresh content once a month. This could be a monthly 'update' for your customers or articles on 'Tips and Tricks of the Trade'.
A local Motel or Resort
If you're in the hospitality business, then you know how important it is to have an up to date online presence. You will probably have a built in scheduler for your room availability, so you will only need to update the rest of your website once every quarter as the seasons and your local entertainment changes.
To allure your website visitors to stay at your establishment, it's a good idea to include links to nearby restaurants, bars, theaters and other local attractions. Make sure these links are checked for accuracy on a regular basis. Nobody likes to end up on a dead end link.
Small businesses face big challenges!
You must balance the need to market your business with a small marketing budget. It is important that you get the word out about your products and services, but you often have very limited resources and time. You need ways to market yourself in ways that don't break the bank.
During the website development stage of your small business website is when you should consider how frequently information will need to be updated. Updating your website requires time! Keep in mind, if you don't have the time to perform regular updates it might be better to not include certain aspects. The quickest way for your visitors to stop coming to your website, is for them to see incorrect or out of date information.
Here are 3 business scenarios and their recommended Website Update Frequency:
A local Retail Store with Online Inventory
Any time you offer items for sale to your website visitors you will need to update your website on a weekly, if not daily basis. Your customers will get turned off really quick if they see you haven't updated your site. Inventory changes, prices fluctuate, sales come and go.
If it's the middle of December and you're still advertising Thanksgiving specials, it's a red flag to your visitors that you don't take your business and your customers seriously. Keep your inventory up to date and make it as easy as possible for your customers to make a purchase.
A local Service Company
Most likely your services and contact information don't change very much over the years, chances are you've had the same phone number for many years. You only really have to update your website if you add a new service, change prices or if you offer a special to your customers.
Update your services as soon as possible, including prices and any additional fees. There should be no surprises for your clients. This is one of the most crucial elements of a successful service website. To add additional value for your website visitors and for search engine optimization, you should consider adding some fresh content once a month. This could be a monthly 'update' for your customers or articles on 'Tips and Tricks of the Trade'.
A local Motel or Resort
If you're in the hospitality business, then you know how important it is to have an up to date online presence. You will probably have a built in scheduler for your room availability, so you will only need to update the rest of your website once every quarter as the seasons and your local entertainment changes.
To allure your website visitors to stay at your establishment, it's a good idea to include links to nearby restaurants, bars, theaters and other local attractions. Make sure these links are checked for accuracy on a regular basis. Nobody likes to end up on a dead end link.
Small businesses face big challenges!
You must balance the need to market your business with a small marketing budget. It is important that you get the word out about your products and services, but you often have very limited resources and time. You need ways to market yourself in ways that don't break the bank.