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As we approach 2024, it’s time to give your online presence a fresh update. In this blog post, we're diving into 9 DIY website updates you can start making today to enhance your website, attract more customers, and elevate your business in the coming year.
1. Test Functionalities
The first step is to thoroughly test the functionalities of your website. Check that all buttons, links, forms, opt-ins, and other interactive elements are working smoothly.
User-friendly and glitch-free functions enhance the overall user experience, leading to increased customer satisfaction and improved conversion rates.
2. Refresh Content
Review your website's content, focusing on areas where information may be missing or outdated.
Ensure visitors can easily find what they're looking for. Make sure your contact information is prominently displayed, provide detailed pricing and thorough service descriptions, and don't forget to answer frequently asked questions to alleviate potential concerns.
Keeping your content fresh and informative helps keep your visitors engaged and informed.
3. Focus on SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is vital for driving organic traffic to your website. Conduct keyword research to identify relevant terms your target audience uses.
Optimize meta tags, headers, and content with these keywords to improve your website's visibility in search engine results and attract potential customers.
Feeling clueless about SEO? Don't sweat. I've got a step-by-step guide to help you start implementing SEO strategies without feeling overwhelmed, frustrated or confused! Check it out by clicking the link below.
4. Update Website Copy
Tailoring your website copy to your specific target audience is essential. Once you narrow down your target audience, you should update the copy on every website page to speak directly to them.
Craft compelling headlines, engaging intros, and clear calls-to-action that resonate with your ideal customers. By speaking directly to their pain points and aspirations, you will increase their connection with your brand and boost conversion rates!
5. Optimize for Mobile Devices
To stay ahead of the curve in 2024, make sure your website is fully responsive and optimized for mobile devices. Statistics show that more and more people are browsing the web on smartphones and tablets!
By providing a seamless mobile experience, you will be able to reach a larger audience and improve user engagement.
6. Strengthen Trust-Factor with Social Proof
To enhance your visitors' trust in your brand, showcase social proof in the form of testimonials or reviews.
Include positive feedback from satisfied customers on your website, especially on key landing pages or near important call-to-action buttons. Demonstrating the positive experiences of others will help build credibility and encourage potential customers to take action.
7. Update Your Visuals
Your website's visual appeal should properly align with your brand strategy. Do a bit of psychology research to make sure your color palette, fonts, and graphics are evoking the right feelings that you want associated with your business.
Consider using sleek layouts, ample white space, and high-quality visuals that reflect your unique style.
If you are using personal brand images, consider updating them to reflect your current professional image. Additionally, review any stock photos on your site, ensuring they are high-quality, on-brand, and relevant to your content. Compress all image files to improve your website's loading speed, and don't forget to optimize their alt tags and file names for better SEO.
8. Start Blogging
Blogging not only provides valuable content for your audience but also helps boost your website's SEO ranking. If you haven't started blogging yet, now is the perfect time to do so to get a head start on the new year!
Create a content calendar and consistently publish blog posts related to your industry, expertise, and target audience's interests. By optimizing your blog posts with relevant keywords, you improve your chances of showing up in search results and attracting organic traffic.
PRO TIP: To save you a TON of time, you can use Chat GPT to write the bulk of your blog posts and then go in and make some minor edits/tweaks to add your brand personality.
9. Offer a Opt-In Freebie
Did you know 99% of consumers check their email every day? You can grow your email list and build stronger connections with your audience by offering a free resource on your website in exchange for your visitor's email.
This resource can be anything your target audience would find valuable such as an e-book, checklist, or mini-course that caters to their needs and interests.
And since your audience is 3x times MORE likely to convert into a paying client hearing from you in email rather than on social media, I always recommend my clients have some kind of email opt-in offer incorporated into their website design.
(In case anyone is wondering, I use Canva to design my free resources (usually a PDF of some kind) and Flodesk to design my opt-in download pages, manage my contacts by segments, and send beautiful weekly emails to my audience!)
Summary
By implementing these 9 DIY website updates, you can elevate your brand's online home for a successful 2024. Start by testing and optimizing functional elements, strengthening trust through social proof, updating images and content, tailoring copy to your target audience, starting a blog for SEO benefits, and offering a free opt-in to grow your email list.
Remember, an updated and customer-focused website is a powerful tool for success in today's digital world!
