tweet me! friend me!

CLIENT CONTENT EDITOR

Email
2 Thurston Lane, Falmouth, Maine 04105  207 776 5416

More Articles by Debbie Hastings

Behind Your Home Page: Domain Name Registration and Web Hosting Services

Does My Small Business Need a Website?

Six Questions to Ask Before You Begin Your New Website

First Steps to a Successful Website

I Have a Website - Now What?

Your New Website – Getting Started with Keywords

SEO Basics: Beyond the Keywords

Which is Correct: Website Design or Web Site Design?

Simple Ways to Keep Your Website Fresh

Reprint Information

If you would like to reprint any of my articles on your website, you may do so provided you follow these guidelines: (1) you don't change the article in any way; (2) you include the byline at the end of the article ("ABOUT THE AUTHOR") with a link to my website; and (3) in doing so you agree that Flying Change Webs & Graphics can and will not be held responsible for losses, claims, damage, or liabilities that may arise out of their use.

(Note: You will retain all formatting if you "View Source", then use your copy & paste feature.) 

Article:

I Have a Website - Now What?

by Debbie Hastings

Do you remember the last time you updated your website? If not, then this article is for you!

An outdated website can be more harmful than not having a website at all. If a visitor lands on your website and sees the News & Events page has things dated 2002, what does that tell them? Chances are, these visitors won't be back anytime soon.

Keeping your website up-to-date doesn't have to be time consuming or expensive. Here are a few easy steps you can use to quickly bring new life back into your outdated website.

Start With Baby Steps

  • Update the copyright line. Make sure it has the recent year … or leave the year blank.
  • Place a new photo of yourself. If you are still using your high school photo - it is definitely time for a change.
  • Welcome a new staff member.
  •  Add customer comments. Perhaps you've been featured in a local newspaper or a received a thank-you from a customer.

Advance to a Brisk Walk

  • Change the color scheme. If your website was designed using stylesheets, this is a breeze.
  • Share industry news. Pull information from articles you've read to share with your visitors (make sure to reference the source, of course).
  • Promote seasonal specials.

Now You're Really Moving

  • Start a monthly newsletter. It doesn't have to be long or fancy, but this one page can show that you care about your business and it's image online.
  • Write articles. You are the expert in your business. Your customers are looking to you for the answers. Show them you know what you're talking about - even just a few times a year will do the trick.
  • Start a blog. There are numerous free blog options and your website designer can easily add the link to your home page.

If you think you're too busy to update your website, then call in a professional website designer to do the job. Most offer hourly, monthly, or yearly maintenance and update packages based on your needs. It is well worth the investment if your website visitors keep coming back.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
This article was written by Debbie Hastings, owner of Flying Change Webs & Graphics, located in Falmouth, Maine. Her website design and visual graphics business caters to small business owners in and around Portland, Maine and throughout New England. Debbie believes that no business is too small to be seen on the web. Find out more about Debbie Hastings and Flying Change Webs & Graphics by visiting her website at http://www.flyingchangewebs.com.