How often do you update your website?

[jdwebmanagement]

I was just wondering how often you all update your company websites, and by updating what you do roughly?

 

[Uzair Kharawala]

We update our site once every 2 years. However, the blog is updated on a weekly basis. Currently we are making ours as a fully e-com enabled & responsive site.

 

[jdwebmanagement]

Hi Uzair,

Sounds great, updating your blog weekly is fantastic well done. Will keep your content fresh.

Just had a look at your sfdigital site, it is really nice and clean. I'll have to check back when you have it responsive

 

[fisicx]

It gets updated whenever it needs updating.

Not really sure what other answer there could be.

 

[jdwebmanagement]

It gets updated whenever it needs updating.

Not really sure what other answer there could be.

I was more wondering if anyone had a set way or times they update blog posts (weekly, biweekly etc) or refreshing content.

 

[davehayes]

I was just wondering how often you all update your company websites, and by updating what you do roughly?

I update the content, on a regular basis, with a mix of material and try and freshen the appearance up when I think it needs it, sometimes quarterly, sometime, with greater breaks between, depends on how busy I am.

 

[fisicx]

I was more wondering if anyone had a set way or times they update blog posts (weekly, biweekly etc) or refreshing content.

Same answer as before. I update (including blog posts) when it needs updating. Sometimes each week, sometimes it's months between updating.

 

[davehayes]

I was more wondering if anyone had a set way or times they update blog posts (weekly, biweekly etc) or refreshing content.

Depends on what is worth writing about, but its generally as and when there is new content, sometimes I even add video ( clean of course!)

 

[sirearl]

Only with new products or if sales rankings slip.

 

[HazelC]

I was more wondering if anyone had a set way or times they update blog posts (weekly, biweekly etc) or refreshing content.

Hiya

I recommend to clients that they update their websites (via blog content) at least once a week as a minimum, ideally twice a week. I try and keep my site updated with three new blog entries a week HOWEVER there is no need to point content for content sakes. You need to keep it high quality, interesting and unique.

If you need any ideas for blog posts drop me a line and I will send you some for free - that's free ideas for blog posts, not free blog posts!!!! lol

Hazel.

 

[HazelC]

Depends on what is worth writing about, but its generally as and when there is new content, sometimes I even add video ( clean of course!)

videos are such a good idea and can really help with rankings Not sure if you do, but try posting 250 ish words with a video and you make Google doubly happy

 

[HazelC]

Same answer as before. I update (including blog posts) when it needs updating. Sometimes each week, sometimes it's months between updating.

'needs' updating? When do you feel your blog 'needs' updating?

 

[KeithP]

Whilst the primary pages of your website probably don't need updating that often, frequently adding new content to your website (via a blog) is an absolute must if you want to generate new traffic streams and improve your overall website rank for search phrases your customers are using.

This article explains the three key benefits of running a blog on your website.

 

[Athos_LSA]

Depends on what is worth writing about, but its generally as and when there is new content, sometimes I even add video ( clean of course!)

I thought it depends more on who your audience is rather than the content. When we post things around lunchtime we always have great success with bored people at work.

 

[sirearl]

Far better in general to concentrate on the pages that already rank well,rather than wasting time on blog stuff burried on page 20

 

[theBagShoppe]

I think the website should be updated with new design after 3-4 months because design trends are changing very frequently and people get bored to see old style website and don't feel fresh!

 

[fisicx]

That demonstrates a complete lack of understanding on how people use and view websites. The fundamentals of website design haven't changed since the HTML was first introduced. All that has happened is people bolt on fancy features because they are under misapprehension that this will suddenly generate new business.

 

[KeithP]

Agreed - when people search for something online, it's because they want a solution. All the design elements in the world are pointless if your website fails to deliver a solution.

Look at the worlds most successful websites/businesses - Wikipedia, Amazon, Google etc. None of them use sophisticated design - they concentrate on delivering the content that their users want.

 

[theBagShoppe]

Contents are important but big companies have to change the design elements as well. Yahoo have to change the design/ interface of mail, google went for flat design. Bing went to flat design!! My friend design is important but design is important as well. Aesthetics of user is kept priority of UI designers in big companies as well!!

 

[KeithP]

Contents are important but big companies have to change the design elements as well. Yahoo have to change the design/ interface of mail, google went for flat design. Bing went to flat design!! My friend design is important but design is important as well. Aesthetics of user is kept priority of UI designers in big companies as well!!

Design is subjective but good content (solutions) is not.

You can have a web page with minimal design and great content which will encourage user interaction or you can have a beautifully design web page with minimal content that just leaves the user scratching their head. Which would you rather use on your website?

The design changes you refer to were actually subtle changes to reflect the move towards more simplistic UI's, driven by the popularity of mobile apps. Another great example is the award wining Gov.uk website - extremely simplistic design but the way they deliver content and focus on the user experience is, in my opinion, superb.

 

[theBagShoppe]

Thanks KeithP, your reply is informative!

In my opinion people want change!! Like they changed the design of Governments and contents were same and enjoyed the change!!! LOL

 

[fisicx]

In my opinion people want change!!

Once again you have shown you just don't understand web design. Good design never goes out of date. Effective companies focus on UX rather than UI.

Your opinion doesn't matter. All that matters is how many people convert.

 

[davehayes]

videos are such a good idea and can really help with rankings Not sure if you do, but try posting 250 ish words with a video and you make Google doubly happy

Thanks for the Quote Hazel, I agree with your post and could possibly have done with you for a client of mine, who is now in the process of selling his business, down I should add, to having all his eggs in one basket and not diversifying enough

 

[jdwebmanagement]

I'm very glad I started this thread as there are a lot of different opinions out there and it shows that there is no 'correct answer' . Thanks everyone for your input

 

[Wayne Connors]

About once every 2 years

 

[RogerBa]

Am I the only person getting confused by what is being refereed to here?

To me an update can be a small change, a tweak even, new blog post or it could be new products being added to an ecommerce site. A re-design is something quite different, but "may" be what some are referring to here.

To comment on some earlier posts people as a general rule hate change, the majority of people are change averse as seen by many of the comments on the recent changes to this forum.
The one golden rule has to be substance MUST rule over style, design trends are all well and good but few people would risk their business without proper test first, and lets face it the majority of new styles die before they get a hold, am I the only person fed up with sliders at the top of every web site I visit? I doubt it.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I am having a look at a lot of websites just at the moment, and it is scary the number that so obviously haven't been updated (some for years) - and these are solicitors and lawyers (so not exactly short of money).

These include:

• Christmas message still up, despite we're now on 21 Jan
• "Latest Announcements" section, with latest being Dec 2012
• Video in FAQs wishing everyone a Merry Christmas 2011
• Lots with out of date links to other parts of their site

If you're not going to have time to keep your site up to date, then remove all the stuff that needs regular updating and just keep static information.

 

[Ashley_Price]

Attractive design doesn't mean to make it attractive with dark colors or pictures. Keeping it simple and easy to use is the best thing.

I always like to give THIS EXAMPLE of a website that you would think could do with updating, if they want to get more business... until you realise it's the website for Warren Buffett's (formally richest man in the world) company.

 

[Nuno]

My small town has a directory/events site. I amuse myself once a month to see if the front page news item has been updated from 19th July 2013. (No.)
The Events page has a small gap from April 2013 to Jan 2014.
Needless to say it is 'non-profit', 'green', inept and sponsored by the council.

(The small directory I run as a freebie for shops in my street is updated most weeks. Small, but only a local street. 100 uniques a week.)

 

[am:pm graphics]

Every week if possible and it's good to keep websites looking fresh and up to date in it's layout and design.

 

[fisicx]

Define 'fresh and upto date'. The problem always is what you think looks great other think look naff. Fresh to you may mean pants to everyone else.

 

[jdwebmanagement]

Define 'fresh and upto date'. The problem always is what you think looks great other think look naff. Fresh to you may mean pants to everyone else.

I think you hit the nail on the head there.

There is no definitive answer when it comes to design changes etc.. Some people will look at their website and think it needs a change and others will not.

In regards to content, I think we all agree that regular blog posting is going to only boost your SEO etc and having decent and fresh content will already help.

 

[Nuno]

Define 'fresh and upto date'. The problem always is what you think looks great other think look naff. Fresh to you may mean pants to everyone else.

Yes but.
Any profession or trade has to sometimes take the lead and show another way of doing things, even if the change is small.
A designer will often lead, or at least be at the forefront of design and will get kudos for this. Whether it looks pants to "everyone else" is arguable: it might instead be targeted and impress it's intended audience whilst only looking pants to those whose opinions are of little importance.

 

[Ashley_Price]

My old BananaOffice site for the call answering was really quite basic (you can see one of the old cached pages HERE), yet we got a lot of people go to it, and it converted into a lot of new clients.

So, again, it's what works for you.

 

[fisicx]

Yes but.
Any profession or trade has to sometimes take the lead and show another way of doing things, even if the change is small.

I agree. Small tweaks are part of normal business development. What I was questioning was the post advocating major theme/layout changes where the only purpose was to try and keep it fresh and funky.

I still mourn the loss of <marquee>

 

[favero]

it depends on what you mean by "updating". It depends on the company´s objectives and internal communication strategy. if you belong to a retail store, client demand will push forward the need to maintain regular updates (even on a daily basis). In the case of project driven firms, changes might occur when new projects are won and they need to be showcased. understanding the rate at which a site needs to be updated is part of a communication plan where priorities, risks, scheduling, process and other issues are discussed and finally are matched with budget disposal.

 

[HazelC]

Thanks for the Quote Hazel, I agree with your post and could possibly have done with you for a client of mine, who is now in the process of selling his business, down I should add, to having all his eggs in one basket and not diversifying enough

Thanks Dave - if you ever need me in the future please don't hesitate to contact me, as a smaller company I have few overheads and therefore am of a lower price than the competition

I see you have had a lot of responses to your query - everyone has different points of views and that's why forums are so great!

 

[HazelC]

I am having a look at a lot of websites just at the moment, and it is scary the number that so obviously haven't been updated (some for years) - and these are solicitors and lawyers (so not exactly short of money).

These include:

• Christmas message still up, despite we're now on 21 Jan
• "Latest Announcements" section, with latest being Dec 2012
• Video in FAQs wishing everyone a Merry Christmas 2011
• Lots with out of date links to other parts of their site

If you're not going to have time to keep your site up to date, then remove all the stuff that needs regular updating and just keep static information.

I am using this as my latest sales pitch If I see a blog that hasn't been updated for about 6months I drop them a line and offer my services.... it's scary how out of date some websites and content is!

 

[GarethShaw]

I always try to strike the balance between becoming a slave to your website and offering good content that is relevant and that people want to see.

In other words dont update it just because you feel that its has to remain "up to date" by writing naff articles..

 

[HazelC]

I always try to strike the balance between becoming a slave to your website and offering good content that is relevant and that people want to see.

In other words dont update it just because you feel that its has to remain "up to date" by writing naff articles..

So true, don't just post content for contents sake!