Your website could probably use a little love... And these upgrades are totally free!

As a web designer, I meet with lots of business owners who are in different places with their marketing needs and budgets. But one thing most have in common - their website is not up to date. Whether they lack a person to make their site updates or it's simply a "back burner" priority that's been forgotten about, a lot of business owners are struggling to keep their sites current, and reflective of the latest industry trends. Some of my clients are in the design industry and they feel like their website is an example of the cobbler whose kid's had no shoes! They'll tell me, "I have a ton of new projects and work I'd like to show off but I haven't had time to get the photos on my website... and I'm not sure where to start!" If this is YOU, you're not alone, and you'll want to keep reading.

1. Photos

One of the easiest ways to keep your site looking current is to do a simple photo swap.

• Start by swapping some pictures on your home page so it reflects your current offerings or style.
• If you have an ecommerce site, you'll need to do this seasonally to swap holiday photos or specials and replace them with new ones!
• Make sure your "About" page pictures are current and update any team sections to reflect your current staff.
• If you have a Gallery or Portfolio page, swap old projects for new ones or add your newest to the top spots.

- Don't reinvent the wheel. If you've been posting your work to social media, repurpose that content or use Canva to resize things.

- If you don't have your own brand photos, take advantage of Canva stock images or find free (or inexpensive) professional images from Pexels or Shutterstock.

2. Contact Information

If you want people to find you - make sure your info is up to date.

• Check your contact page and make sure your address, email and phone number are up to date.
• Make sure your social media links are up to date too.
• Make sure your business hours are up to date.
• Make sure any scheduling or booking links are up to date.
• Make sure your Google listing is up to date and matches what's on your website. For improved SEO, consider adding the Google Search Console app to your site so that the information syncs automatically. While you're in your Google business listing, add a few photos and be sure to reply to any reviews - positive or negative. Google tools are FREE and this is a great way to add another level of credibility to your site and your business.

3. Content

Not only should your photos be current - your verbiage needs to match.

• Give your site a read through and make sure the information is still accurate and reflective of what you offer.
• Pay attention to numbers and dates. If your site boasts you've been in business for 10 years but now it's been 15, update your copy. That's a big difference and if you've been copying and pasting the same bio, it's probably not accurate.
• Were you really into something like coffee or pickleball that you referenced to sound cool in 2022 but now you're into tea and yoga? Make sure your copy makes sense for your current stage of life and the clientele you want to attract. It's okay to change things up!
• Have your products or services changed? Now's the time to make sure they align with any other marketing materials you've been using.
• Prices should be updated as well. No one wants to reach out expecting one thing, just to be told, "Oh, sorry, that's old information."

4. Alt Tags

Give your site a little SEO boost.

Alt text (alternative text) is essential for making your website accessible to all users, including those who rely on screen readers. It also helps improve your SEO by allowing search engines to understand your images. Adding descriptive, concise alt text ensures that visually impaired users and search engines alike can interpret and engage with your content.

Alt Text Checklist:

• Describe the image clearly – What is happening in the image?
• Be concise – Keep it short but informative.
• Use keywords naturally – Help with SEO without keyword stuffing.
• Avoid using "image of" or "picture of" – Screen readers already indicate it's an image.
• Make sure all essential images have alt text – Especially product images, infographics, and key visuals.
• Leave decorative images empty – If an image is purely decorative, set alt="" so screen readers skip it.

5. Improve Your Website's Navigation

A well-structured website keeps visitors engaged and helps them find what they need quickly. Simplifying your navigation improves user experience, reduces frustration, and increases conversions. Here are a few ways to improve your site’s navigation:

• Keep Your Menu Simple & Intuitive – Stick to essential pages and use clear, straightforward labels (e.g., “Shop,” “About Us,” “Contact”). Avoid cluttering your menu with too many options. I like to say no more than 8 main menu tabs across the top because it becomes too visually cluttered. If your logo is centered, 3 or 4 items on either side looks great.
  
• Use a Sticky or Fixed Navigation Bar – A menu that stays visible as users scroll makes it easier for them to navigate without constantly scrolling back to the top.
  
• Organize Pages with Logical Categories – Group similar pages under dropdown menus or sections to make browsing effortless.
  
• Include a Search Bar – A search function helps visitors find specific content quickly, especially if you have a blog, product listings, or multiple service pages.
  
• Highlight Key Information – Ensure important details like contact info, pricing, and FAQs are easily accessible from the main menu.
  
• Use Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumb navigation (e.g., Home > Products > Grass-Fed Beef) helps users understand where they are and easily backtrack if needed. If you use Shopify or any other ecommerce platform, this is usually a toggle on-off option within your product pages, cart, and checkout. Make sure it is enabled.
  
• Ensure Mobile-Friendly Navigation – Test your menu on phones and tablets to ensure links are easy to tap and dropdowns work smoothly.
  
• Fix Broken Links & Update Old Pages – Regularly audit your site to remove outdated pages and ensure all links lead to the correct places.

By improving your website’s look and feel, you create a seamless experience that keeps visitors engaged and encourages them to take action. Since it often takes multiple interactions before someone decides to buy or reach out, a well-structured site helps build familiarity and trust. And while your website plays a key role, social media is another powerful tool to keep potential customers connected and engaged—but that’s a topic for another day! For more information about websites and best practices, contact me today - I am currently booking spring projects and I'd love to work with you.