Insights
Is Your Content Still Current?
Even a small piece of outdated content can make your website feel neglected. A date that’s passed, a program that’s changed, or a “coming this summer” message still hanging around in October can make visitors wonder what else might be out of date.
Start with the obvious: dates, seasonal references, and even wording like “this month” or “later this year.” Then take a look at the content that can change over longer periods of time: funding and incentive details, job training programs, application deadlines, and similar information.
And don’t forget to check your homepage. Have you had the same featured content there for a year or longer? Have you been highlighting the same program for just as long? Is your latest news from months ago? It can make your organization feel less active than it actually is.
Is Your Website Still Easy to Navigate?
When visitors land on your website, they should be able to quickly find content that’s relevant to them. A cluttered site navigation can muddy that experience.
Think about what’s relevant to your organization’s current goals. A live page for an annual event that ended two months ago may not be relevant to audiences visiting your site today.
Consider the following:
What can be consolidated or removed from the live website?
Are your current initiatives still reflected in the page structure, or should you consider reorganizing your content?
Have your programs, initiatives, or services changed in ways that could impact how people are using the site today?
Making the user’s journey through the site easier means they’re more likely to take the next step.
Are Your Key Facts & Data Still Accurate?
Your key facts & data tell users everything from statistics about your community to who’s serving in your organization. While you’re reviewing your website, take a look at your most recent data downloads & reports. Are they still the most accurate, or is there new information that could be shared?
Also, take some time to review your property listings, major employers, staff & board directories, and the statistics you’ve shared throughout your site’s content.
Is Everything Working Like It Should?
Nothing disrupts a website experience quite like a page or element that doesn’t work. It can take users out of the experience entirely. Maybe they start troubleshooting their browser, or maybe they assume the webpage isn’t being maintained. Either way, they may never get to the information you wanted them to see.
That’s why it’s important to periodically check your integrations, third-party tools, forms, files, and external links. Think of it like a check-up. Usually, everything should work fine, but one broken link or one form that won’t send through can have a big impact.
Is Your Site Visually Up to Date?
Your site’s visuals do a lot of work before anyone reads a word. They show visitors who your community is and what’s happening right now.
The challenge is that great photography from even a year or two ago can start to feel dated over time. Perhaps you’ve seen a lot of recent growth, new infrastructure is being developed, or maybe a prominently featured business has moved locations. If there’s no photography showing what the community looks like now, it may be time to consider updating your website photography.
While you’re reviewing, also check for some of the smaller issues: low-quality images, photos that crop awkwardly, outdated or missing staff and board photos, and missing alt text for accessibility.
Download Our 10-Point Website Health Check
Our website health checklist can help guide you through your site review and know what areas need attention.
Need Content Support?
We offer a wide range of content support, whether that’s occasional assistance with website content updates or a fully managed content service. Send a message today if you need additional support.
