You’ve done it! Your beautiful new website is live, perfectly capturing the essence of your coaching or creative business.
But now, a new worry creeps in:
“What if I need to change something? What if I break it?”
If you’re nodding along, feeling a bit queasy at the thought of tinkering with your site, you’re not alone.
As a web designer who’s worked with countless coaches and creative entrepreneurs, I’ve seen this fear firsthand. But I’m here to tell you: updating your website doesn’t have to be a tech nightmare.
Why Regular Updates Matter
Before we dive into the how, let’s talk about the why:
- Relevance: It shows your business is active and evolving. ✨
- Engagement: Fresh content keeps your audience coming back for more.
- Visibility: Search engines love updated websites (Google’s own guidelines emphasise the importance of regular updates), which can boost your rankings.
- Accuracy: Ensures your information, services, and prices are always current.
Now, let’s break down what updating your website actually involves.
It’s not all coding and tech wizardry – I promise!
#1 Content Updates
This is the easiest place to start, and it’s something you can absolutely handle yourself.
📣 Imagine if you could:
- Quickly update your services page without your heart racing
- Add a new blog post that showcases your latest insights
- Refresh your portfolio with your most recent projects
Here’s a simple step-by-step for updating your website’s content:
- Log into your website’s admin panel (usually found at yourdomain.com/wp-admin for WordPress sites)
- Navigate to the page you want to update (usually under a “Pages” or “Posts” section)
- Make your changes in the user-friendly editor (it’s a lot like using Word)
- Hit that “Update” or “Publish” button
Voila! You’ve just updated your website like a pro, and nothing broke. Feels good, doesn’t it?
#2 Visual Updates
Keeping your site visually fresh doesn’t mean a complete overhaul every few months. Small tweaks can make a big difference:
- Update your homepage image seasonally
- Refresh your colour scheme for a new campaign
- Add new client testimonials to your reviews section
Pro Tip: Always check how your visual updates look on mobile devices. Over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile, so it’s crucial your site looks great on smaller screens.
#3 Technical Maintenance
This is where things can get a bit trickier, but don’t worry – you’ve got options:
- DIY Approach: Most website platforms have built-in update notifications. Often, it’s as simple as clicking “Update Now”.
- Automated Solutions: There are tools and plugins that can handle routine updates automatically. WordPress, a popular website platform (and the one I use), offers automatic updates for enhanced security.
- Professional Help: For peace of mind, you can always bring in an expert (like yours truly) to handle the technical bits.
A Real-Life Website Update Success Story
Let me tell you about Sarah, a life coach who came to me utterly frustrated with her website. She loved the design but felt paralysed when it came to making updates.
We worked together to create a simple update plan:
- Monthly content refresh (which she handles confidently now)
- Quarterly check-in for visual updates
- Bi-annual technical review with me
Need inspiration for refreshing your website’s look? Check out some of my recent projects in my Portfolio for ideas on impactful visual changes.
The result? Sarah’s website is always fresh, secure, and working hard for her business.
Plus, she’s lost that knot of anxiety she used to feel every time she thought about her site. Now, she actually looks forward to sharing her latest insights and offerings online!
Curious about what other clients have to say about working with me? Visit my Reviews page to read more success stories.
Your Website Update Action Plan
Ready to take control of your online presence? Here’s your starter action plan:
- Schedule regular content checks: Set a recurring reminder to review and refresh your content. (Google Calendar is great for this!)
- Learn one new website skill a month: Start small – maybe it’s updating an image this month, and adding a new page next month.
- Create a website update budget: Whether it’s for tools, training, or professional help, factor website care into your business expenses.
- Mobile-first mindset: Always check how your updates look on mobile devices.
- Keep a content ideas list: Jot down ideas for blog posts, new services, or testimonials as they come to you.
Remember, your website is a powerful tool for attracting dream clients and showcasing your expertise.
By keeping it up-to-date, you’re ensuring that it continues to work hard for your business, day in and day out. Happy website updating!
