Is your website sooo last year? Well, not anymore! Follow along to learn the essential updates you need to make on your website at the beginning of the new year.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through some simple yet essential updates you need to make on your website at the start of the new year. From refreshing your branding photography to ensuring your website’s functionality is top-notch, we’ll guide you on how to give your website a modern edge. So, bid farewell to last year’s website and get ready to take your online presence to the next level in style. Let’s dive in and make your website shine like never before!

Efficiency tip: Mark this blog post, and set a reminder to come back to it next year so you are never behind, plus you get to put your administrative tasks on autopilot.

In short, website updates you need in the new year should include:

1. Update Your Copyright Year on the Website Footer
2. Share Last Year’s Partnerships and Content
3. Invest in New Branding Photography
4. Ensure Legal Compliance
5. Update Permanent Sections (Header and Footer)
6. Check Functionality

Intrigued? Want to learn more? Let’s start with the non-negotiable item on this list – so don’t skip it!

1- Update your Copyright Year on Website Footer

When it comes to updating your website, there’s one simple yet crucial step that you must not overlook – updating the copyright year in your footer. Legally, it’s important to display the copyright symbol, ©, along with the current year and the name of your company. For instance, you can include ©2024, PiperMache Website and Digital Art, LLC, or © 2022-2024, PiperMache Website and Digital Art, LLC.

Updating the copyright designation serves as a clear signal to anyone visiting your website that you are the rightful owner of the information on the site and that you do not permit unauthorized use. While this may seem like a minor change, it carries significant weight in protecting your intellectual property. Creative Law Shop provides valuable insights on this topic, and you can learn more about running a full legal audit of your website here.

Remember, keeping your website legally sound not only protects your rights but also demonstrates your commitment to operating ethically and professionally.

2- Last year’s partnerships and content

If you joined any membership, partnership, collaboration, or any other business project that would be relevant to your customers, this is the time to dig for that information and share it on your website. You want to make sure you build trust with your audience by showing your new projects. This helps build trust and credibility with your audience, showing them that your business is actively involved in exciting ventures and continuously expanding its offerings. Including backlinks to other people’s websites will also help you build domain authority for better SEO. Do you have any new pieces of content for your portfolio? By regularly updating your website, you demonstrate that your business is active, relevant, and committed to providing the latest information to your audience.

By keeping your website updated with new information, visuals, and functionality, you can create a website that not only looks modern and appealing but also effectively communicates your business’s growth, credibility, and commitment to meeting the needs of your audience.

3- New branding photography

It’s always nice when you see a website that is a living breathing organism, one where you can always encounter fresh updated content. While I know it’s not realistic for most business to update their website as fast as their business outcomes, you should aim to update your branding photography once a year to keep it fresh.

Branding Photography adds a fresh and visually appealing touch to your website. By regularly updating your content and pictures, you create a dynamic and engaging online presence that keeps visitors coming back.

By investing in professional branding photography, you convey professionalism and attention to detail. High-quality images that accurately represent your brand’s identity and values can significantly impact how your audience perceives your business. It helps build trust and credibility, making visitors more likely to engage with your content and convert into customers.

Remember, your website is often the first impression that potential customers have of your business. By keeping your branding photography up to date, you demonstrate that you are active, relevant, and committed to delivering the best experience to your audience.

So, don’t underestimate the power of great visuals. Consider working with a professional photographer or investing in stock photos that align with your brand’s aesthetic. Update your website with captivating and authentic images that truly represent your business and help you stand out from the competition.

Here are some of the local photographers that offer outstanding Branding Photography services.

4- New Legal Information

Ensuring that your website is compliant with legal requirements is crucial for any online business. Staying updated with the legal information you need to display on your website is essential to protect your business and build trust with your audience.

To navigate the complex legal landscape, it’s advisable to consult lawyers who specialize in online small businesses. They can provide valuable guidance on the legal aspects specific to your industry and help you understand the necessary steps to take.

One important aspect to remember is to regularly update your privacy policy or terms and conditions. These documents outline how you collect, use, and protect user data, as well as the terms governing the use of your website. It’s important to include the most recent date of updates to ensure accuracy and transparency. You can find templates for privacy policies and terms and conditions on websites like Creative Law Shop.

By keeping your legal information up to date, you demonstrate your commitment to compliance and the protection of your users’ rights. It also helps establish transparency and credibility, which are vital for building trust with your audience.

Remember, legal requirements may vary depending on your jurisdiction and the nature of your business. It’s always recommended to consult with legal professionals to ensure that you are fully compliant with applicable laws and regulations.

5- Update permanent sections such as Footer and Header

Permanent sections are the components of your website that appear consistently on all pages. It is essential to ensure that these sections are regularly updated and provide valuable information to your audience. Let’s take a closer look at each of them.

Header: Make sure you prominently display your primary call-to-action (CTA) in the header. Is your navigation intuitive and easy to navigate? Don’t forget to test how it appears on mobile devices to ensure a seamless user experience.

Footer: Keep your company information up to date in the footer. Include your physical address and ensure that all contact information is accurate. The footer can also serve as a website map, so consider organizing and listing links to your most important pages here. Enhance the user experience by optimizing the navigation in the footer. Don’t forget to include copyright and legal links to ensure compliance.

By regularly updating these permanent sections, you provide your visitors with the most relevant and helpful information, improving their overall experience on your website.

6- Ensuring Functionality

To ensure that your website is running smoothly and effectively, it’s essential to check various functions and elements. In my blog post about auditing your website, I have outlined some of the most crucial aspects to consider. To make it even easier for you, I have created a checklist that you can access here.

In short, here are some of the key elements you should be checking:

• Responsive Design: Test your website’s responsiveness on different screen sizes to ensure optimal viewing experience for all users.
• HTML Tags for SEO Optimization: Make sure that your HTML tags are properly optimized for search engines, using relevant keywords and meta descriptions.
• Forms and Funnels: Review and optimize your forms and funnels to maximize conversions and lead generation.
• Broken Links: Regularly check for broken links on your website and fix them to enhance user experience and maintain SEO integrity.
• SEO Health Check: Evaluate your website’s overall SEO health, including keyword usage, page load speed, and website structure.
• Story Brand Content: Craft compelling and engaging content that aligns with the principles of the Story Brand framework, capturing your audience’s attention and driving conversions.

While this is just a brief overview, I offer comprehensive auditing services at a reasonable price. You can find more information and grab your audit here. By regularly auditing and optimizing these aspects, you can ensure that your website is functioning at its best, attracting your target audience, and achieving your desired outcomes.

Overall goal: Is your website effectively driving sales and achieving your desired outcomes? Ensure that your website is optimized to work diligently and align with your new business goals. Your website should function as a well-oiled sales machine, attracting your target audience and generating results. By highlighting what truly aligns with your objectives, you can maximize the impact of your website and drive meaningful outcomes.