Like Produce, Website Content Should Be Fresh

If you've ever gone to the produce section at your local supermarket looking for fresh strawberries only to find pints of over-ripened, browning fruit, you know what a turn-off that is.  It's pretty much the same thing with your website. Attracting visitors is only one part of the equation, getting them to come back again and again is the other.

Keeping your website updated takes commitment and a little extra time, but is well worth the effort.  Here are some tips for maintaining a website that will keep your visitors (and potential) customers coming back for more.

1. Content is king.  Offer as much useful content as possible.  If you don't have one already, consider starting a blog.  Because this can be time-consuming, you might want to consider occasionally inviting a guest to write on a special topic.  Another great way to expand your content is to add a podcast and videos. 
2. If your business involves frequently changing information, you should regulary update your website to reflect these changes. Such information might include prices, stocks or inventory.
3. If you use white papers, articles or abstracts, add to or replace these items every couple of months.
4. Be consistent.  If you change your marketing materials, are adding or discontinuing a product or service, make the necessary changes on your website.
5. Adding an industry-related news feature can also be another source of fresh content.

I realize that frequently updating your website can be a costly endeavor if you are using a web developer to make the changes.  You might want to consider re-negotiating the terms of your agreement, perhaps extending the service contract in exchange for more flexiblility in making changes to your site.

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