Update Content or Re-Design Your Site?
New Content or a New Website?
Your business and brand evolve over time. New colors, new logo, new strategies, new locations (if you’re brick and mortar), new items, new people…. Basically, lots of NEW is happening all the time!
What can sometimes happen with busy business owners is that they are making innovative changes to their business in tons of different ways, but their website hasn’t been touched since 2010. And, depending on the website builder you used, not touching that website for the last decade might mean it’s time for a complete redesign. Or it might mean you just need some fresh content that better represents your evolving brand.
Benefits of Updating your Site Content
Google loves to prioritize websites showing activity. Over time, even if your website has excellent SEO best practices and relevant content, those newer sites with consistently updated content will outrank you. Updating site content is like a little virtual flag waving at Google saying, “Hey! I’m still here, relevant, and ready to be found!”
Examples of Site Content Updates
There are tons of ways to update your website content. Here are a few of my favorites to get started with:
- Updated Professional Biographies
You’re a growing business, and you might have added new team members. Adding in fresh bios about your team is a great way to highlight how your business is growing. As the founder or owner, you’ve also been busy too! I’ll write new biographies that are on-brand and consistent, so you and your team’s accomplishments are up to date.
- Adding in Blog Posts
Adding a blog post page means we’re not directly editing anything in the existing website and gives you tons of flexibility to educate your audience. You’ve learned more and done more. Showcase it! Blog posts like FAQs, Listicles, Dos and Don’ts, and Case Studies are all excellent options for generating new content.
- Updating your Homepage Content
Generally, your homepage is the page that receives the most clicks and website visitors. Add some new content about things like:
- Additional services
- New promotions
- Updates about your business
- New testimonials
More Plug-ins, More Problems
There’s no perfect website builder out there. Each one offers its own pros and cons. An easy rule-of-thumb to remember is that the more code and customizations, the more maintenance you’ll need over time. Beach Bum Creative specializes in simple, modern web design with minimal coding so you can maintain your website on your own!
You’ll likely need a redesign if your website was originally on WordPress and hasn’t been maintained for 1 year or more. You know how your phone is constantly prompting you to update different apps? WordPress websites rely heavily on additions called plug-ins. They’re like apps for your website. The more plug-ins your website has, the more often you’ll need to update. Eventually, some of those plug-ins will become outdated if they’re not maintained. That can lead to crashes, slow load times, negative SEO impact, and a poor user experience.
When to Redesign: It's Been a While
If you haven’t looked at the backend of your website in 6 months or more, you might need a website redesign… that’s how quickly some of these updates are happening!
When to Redesign: Brand Refresh
A redesign is pretty much a must if you're rebranding. My website used to be beachbumpoetllc . com. When I decided to change my business name and expand my offerings, I re-designed my entire website to better reflect my new offerings, aesthetic, and Brand. Making all those edits into my existing website would have actually taken more time and energy than simply starting fresh.
When to Redesign: Where's My Web Designer?
You might also consider a redesign if your original web designer has become inaccessible and making changes is no longer possible. Unfortunately, I’ve heard many such stories from my clients. That's why I offer the option of 2 hours of complimentary training once the website goes live. You've invested in a website and it's important you're able to maintain it on your own with confidence and ease.
Still Not Sure? Let’s Chat!
I started Beach Bum Creative to help businesses thrive and grow. I’ll never recommend a complete website re-design unless it’s absolutely necessary. There are lots of ways to make your site more relevant and SEO-friendly without a total overhaul.
If you’re not sure, book a free consult with me so we can come up with a plan that works best for you, your business, your brand, and budget.
