Website Refresh Checklist for 2024

With the start of the new year, it is time to prepare your website for brand-new traffic and returning customers. Your website is the first thing that people will see when they find your business on Google or other search engines. 88% of online consumers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience, and 38% of people will stop visiting a website if its design is sloppy and unattractive. 
 

As we step into 2024, it's crucial for businesses to ensure their online presence is up-to-date and aligned with the latest trends. As one of the best web development and design companies, we've created a comprehensive website refresh checklist that covers design, content, user experience and mobile responsiveness.

Website refresh checklist for 2024

Refresh your content

The initial step towards updating your website is to review all your existing content and confirm that it is still relevant. Have you added a new location or changed your store hours? If yes, then make sure to update the relevant information on your website. 

Remove any services or products that you no longer provide so that your website visitors are not misled. Additionally, update your content calendar if you have one. Lastly, remove any employee information from your website regarding those who no longer work at your company.

Improve speed optimization

Have you noticed that your website's loading speed has slowed down recently? If so, you might want to consider moving your website to a Content Delivery Network (CDN). A CDN is a group of servers located in different parts of the world that work together to deliver web content faster and more efficiently. By using a CDN, you can significantly improve your website's loading speed and reduce latency. This service can be provided by a web development company like us.

Mobile responsiveness

It's important to remember that over 55% of website traffic comes from mobile devices. This means that if your website is not responsive on these devices, you could be missing out on potential visitors. As we start the new year, it's crucial to ensure that your website is working properly on all devices - including phones, iPads and desktops. Additionally, you should check that buttons and links are easily tappable on mobile devices. To provide a seamless user experience, it's recommended that you implement responsive design principles.

SEO tune-up

In addition to having an attractive website, it's important that people can find your website online. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in. At the beginning of the year, it's a good idea to conduct keyword research to determine which keywords are relevant to your industry. Then, update your website's meta titles, descriptions and header tags to include these keywords. You should also create a sitemap and submit it to search engines to make it easier for them to crawl and index your site.

Security check

It is important to prioritize the security of your website to safeguard your users. One effective way to do this is by using HTTPS, which encrypts data and promotes user trust. It is also necessary to regularly update plugins, themes and content management systems to certify that security patches are integrated. Another measure that can be taken is to implement a firewall and monitoring system that can detect threats in real-time.

Hire one of the best web development and design companies to prepare your business for the new year!

By following this website refresh checklist, businesses can ensure that their online presence remains engaging, up-to-date and competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape of 2024. Let our experienced web development and design team help prepare your website for 2024. Reach out to get started!