Inject Some Life into That Dull Old Website You Just Bought
An old website is a bit like an old car in that buying a secondhand one can sometimes leave you with something that’s a solid performer, if not a little rough around the edges.
That’s why you’ll inevitably want to make some cosmetic changes and carry out some fine tuning to get your new purchase in tip-top condition.
However, if your new site is already established and boasts a loyal fanbase, you may be reluctant to make too many changes, which is understandable. But, even if that’s the case, there are still a number of areas you can overhaul to give your new website a new lease of life.
Time to improve that old websites and give it a fresh new look…
Let’s have a look at a few quick wins that will enhance your website no end:
Find and Fix Any Broken Links
Few things are more frustrating than navigating a website and hitting broken link after broken link. And, if your newly purchased site is one that’s been around for a while, you can bet your life that it’s got some broken links lurking somewhere.
But apart from being just plain annoying, there are also some schools of thought that firmly believe that broken links harm your website’s search engine ranking. Whether this is true or false is something for another post, but the undeniable fact is that broken links definitely aren’t a good thing and will annoy the hell out of your visitors.
Fortunately for you, finding broken links isn’t a laborious task anymore and there are a number of ways you can do it without spending too much time or effort.
If your site is WordPress based then there are actually plugins that can be used to search for and fix broken links. If your site isn’t WordPress based then you’ll have to rely on more traditional tools like the W3C Link Checker or similar.
Give Your Logo a Makeover
Despite the fact that they say people don’t like change, giving your new website a fresh identity with a new logo is definitely something you should consider. After all, you’re the proud new owner and will undoubtedly want to put your own mark on your latest investment, right?
Just be sure to leverage your social media channels and monthly newsletters (if applicable) to give your new logo a suitable introduction before it’s unveiled. Otherwise, your visitors may think that they’ve rocked up on the wrong site the next time they visit.
In fact, a great way to engage your social media followers is to have them provide input on the logo design process itself. Anything from simple suggestions to full-scale competitions, you’ll create a buzz around your brand.
The best part is that nowadays you don’t even need a dedicated design team or be proficient yourself using design software to get a new logo created. That’s because the Internet is full of immensely talented individuals who will produce a professional logo for you at a price that suits you both. Simply check out the various freelancer websites to find a designed that suits your taste.
99Designs is an example of a freelancer website that produces some of the best logo designs that will create a lasting impression for your new website.
Make Your Site Responsive
The ubiquity of smartphones and tablets today means that we’re more connected than we’ve ever been. But don’t just think that people use their mobile devices for checking their social media accounts or emails on the go. The reality is that smartphone users like to do as much as they can on their favourite mobile devices.
Therefore, if your site isn’t responsive then you could potentially be missing out on a huge chunk of potential visitors/customers or, perhaps even worse, lose some of the ones you already have.
It’s no longer good enough to have a website that looks just okay on a mobile device and your visitors will ultimately expect the same experience they get on their laptop or desktop. A fully responsive design is absolutely the order of the day.
The list of improvements you could undertake on your new site is almost endless and the three suggestions above are a drop in the ocean. They do, however, represent affordable quick wins that will get you and your website headed in the right direction.
