Only about 60 per cent of UK businesses have a website. Are you one of them?
It's great to have an online presence, but it's also important to make sure you're managing it well.
Read on to learn more about website management and why it matters. We're also sharing 8 common website management mistakes, with tips on how to avoid them.
What Is Website Management?
Before we get into specific dos and don'ts, let's break down exactly what website management is
The term website management describes all of the steps one takes to set up and maintain a website. Whether you're a blogger or a brick-and-mortar business owner, proper website management plays a key role in your success.
Why Does It Matter?
There are lots of benefits that come with good website management. The following are some of the top reasons why you ought to make it a priority:
- Increased website functionality
- Better search engine ranking
- Better user experience
- Increased website security
- Better business reputation
If any of these benefits appeal to you, it's time to take a closer look at your website management strategy.
Most Common Website Management Mistakes
Most people can set up a website relatively quickly. When it comes to setting up a functional, good looking, easy-to-navigate, and highly secure website, though, a lot of business owners start to flounder.
The following are 8 common website management mistakes you might be making without even realizing it:
1. Not Making Your Website Mobile-Friendly
A mobile-friendly website is non-negotiable in 2021.
Remember over half of all web searches take place from a mobile device. If your website doesn't look good on a tiny smartphone screen, or if it's hard to navigate, you're going to lose valuable traffic (and leads and potential customers).
Start by accessing your website from a few different mobile devices. This helps you to get a sense of how easy it is to navigate. It also helps you to identify other potential issues, such as content loading slowly or not loading at all.
Once you know what problems you're facing, reach out to a web developer for help correcting them.
2. Not Creating and Maintaining a Blog
Creating a blog and publishing regular blog posts is a great way to improve your website's search engine ranking. Adding blog posts and sharing them on various platforms creates more opportunities for people to find your content and learn about your business.
If you don't have a blog, or if it's been a long time since you last published a post, it's time to change that.
Make a list of frequently asked questions your business receives, then start creating blog posts to answer them. You can also make use of your existing content by refreshing and republishing older blog posts.
3. Hiding Your Contact Information
As a business owner, you likely want people to contact you in some way after they visit your website, right? Whether you want them to call you or send you an email, make it easy for website visitors to find your contact information.
People don't want to have to dig to find out how to get in touch with you, no matter how interested they are in your products or services. Make sure your contact details are readily available and prominently displayed on each page of your website.
4. Excessive Outsourcing
There's nothing wrong with outsourcing certain aspects of your business to people who are more experienced than you are. If you outsource to too many different people, though, you might end up with mismatched content, poorly optimized pages, or other issues that could affect your website design or navigability.
If you do choose to outsource, try to find one agency that handles everything you want to be handled. That way, you can ensure a more cohesive experience.
5. Not Including Calls to Action
If you don't include clear calls to action on your website, it'll be hard for visitors to know what you want them to do. Don't assume that they'll move forward with making a purchase or downloading your free guide. For best results, give them a clear call to action and invite them to do something specific.
6. Not Optimizing Internal Pages
It's great to optimize your blog posts and the home page of your website. What about the internal pages, though? Make sure you're including them in your website management plan, too.
Use your target keywords (in a natural way, of course) in your content so these pages show up in search engine results. Make sure these pages are well-designed and easy to find as well.
7. Using Low-Quality Photos and Images
It's great to include photos and images on your website. However, if they're grainy or hard to decipher, they can be distracting and may cause people to doubt your business's credibility.
If you choose to include an image or any other type of media, make sure it's clear and crisp. It should also look good on various devices (remember, mobile-friendliness is key).
8. Not Prioritizing Website Security
Finally, make sure you're prioritizing website security. A secure website will rank higher on search engine results pages, and it will make your business seem more credible to people who are checking it out for the first time.
When it comes to improving website security, here are some good starting points:
- Make sure your passwords are unique and secure
- Install regular software updates
- Invest in an SSQL certificate
- Run regular website backups
These simple strategies can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your business safe from hackers and creating a good experience for your customers.
Level Up Your Website Management Today
Now that you know more about website management and the most common website management mistakes, is it time to change your strategy? Keep the tips listed above in mind so you can provide your website visitors with a more positive online experience.
Need more help managing business websites? If so, we can help at Jumpworks. Schedule a call today to learn more about us and our website management service.
