10 Must-Do Website Updates Before The Year Ends

Your Website End-of-Year Checklist

A new year is upon us and if you’re anything like me you’re probably doing a lot of reflecting on your business. If you have some extra time in the next few weeks, now is the perfect opportunity to make some essential website updates to help you confidently kick off the new year.

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Here’s my checklist of 10 things you can do on your website to be prepared for success with future clients and drive growth in the upcoming year.

1. Update (or add) testimonials.

If you don’t have any, no time like the present to ask for some! I like to ask my clients 1-2 times a year because sometimes they simply need a reminder. Encourage your clients/customers to crosspost to your Facebook and Google Business pages too.

2. Make updates to your services (and prices).

Make sure your services for the year are up to date, and if you’re not already, show your prices! I cannot stress how important it is to show your prices or at least a rough starting price. Most users will not inquire if they’re unsure they can afford you, and you risk them moving onto someone who does have pricing available.

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3. Update your images.

If it’s not on your to-do list already (or you haven’t done this at all 👀), consider booking a brand photoshoot for the coming year for some fresh relevant photos. My go-to photographers are Christina Best Photography, Katherine Elyse Media, Geise Photography, Kevin Fiscus Photography, and The Elevated Entrepreneur. 💸 This doubles as a tax write-off!

Don’t have the budget for a photographer? Stock photo sites are a great workaround since they’re high-quality and high-res making them versatile. My favorites are Kaboompics, Pexels, Unsplash, Styled Stock Society, and Elevae Visuals.

4. Add a new blog post.

If your blog has been neglected, consider this your sign to add a new post. A great way to kick off the year is a post discussing your services and offerings for the new year. Updating your blog is one of the easiest ways to get fresh content on your site, which search engines love, and it helps showcase your areas of expertise.

5. Double-check your SEO descriptions.

Speaking of search engines, check on and update your SEO descriptions. This is especially important if your business has gone through any major changes since you launched your site. You want to make sure you’re accurately being found via search engines.

6. Add new content.

Were there some pages from your initial website project that were held off on launching? Or maybe you have some fresh ideas you want to make public? This is a great time to introduce those new pages. Also, consider hiring a copywriter with these updates, especially if you DIY’ed your original content.

7. Update your portfolio.

If you have a portfolio of any kind, update it to include your most recent work or projects. Always make sure it’s the work you want to attract – quality over quantity always.

8. Change up your freebies.

If you’re collecting emails from your site via a freebie download, lead magnet, or opt-in, change it up. Add a new resource or freebie to encourage sign-ups. And if you’re not doing any kind of email capture on your site, a great platform to get started on is Flodesk. 💸 This is another tax write-off!

9. Check for broken links.

Run a quick scan on your site to check for broken links with a tool like Dead Link Checker or run the Broken Link Checker plugin if your site is WordPress. Broken links can negatively impact SEO and your user experience, so it’s crucial to remove them.

10. Update (or create) your Google Business Profile

If you haven’t already, I highly recommend signing up for a FREE Business Profile on Google. It’s a great way to establish search authority, and it will enable your business to become visible on Google Maps.

If you’re like me and your business doesn’t have a physical location, don’t worry you can still use Google My Business! Instead, you can show your service areas.

And while you’re at it, consider signing up for Apple Business Connect (also free) and increase your exposure!

Additional Tax Write-Offs

The end of the year is also the perfect time to invest in essential business tools that you’ll need for the upcoming year. Plus you have the added benefit of including them in your tax deductions.

Here are some of my favorite business tools that could benefit you too!

Dubsado

Small business owner? You need a CRM! I use Dubsado to manage bookings, contracts, invoices, and projects. Get 20% off your first month or year with code THELOVELYGEEK.

Read my full write-up on How I Run My Web Design Business Using Dubsado

Flodesk

Ready to upgrade your email newsletters? Take 50% off your first year of Flodesk using my code THELOVELYGEEK and get their link in bio feature completely free.

Read my full write-up on Why I Switched from Mailchimp to Flodesk

Styled Stock Society

Styled Stock Society is my favorite resource for on-brand stock photos, easy-to-use templates (think IG graphics, workbooks, Pinterest graphics), and more.

The Contract Shop

Love running a business but hate the legal side? Don’t worry – The Contract Shop® has gotcha covered! This is where I get my contracts, website policies, and more.

accessiBe

accessiBe is my preferred tool for website accessibility. It’s an AI-powered solution that seamlessly makes websites usable and compliant without sacrificing design quality. By making your website accessible and compliant with the ADA, you could be eligible for annual tax credits of up to $5,000!

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Keeping your website up-to-date is crucial to your online success as it shows your site is active and relevant. These updates don’t have to be overwhelming – tackle them one at a time at your own pace. The key is to make steady progress toward a more polished and effective online presence. Plus, search engines like Google love sites that are regularly updated.

Need help implementing any of these website updates? I’m here to help! Let’s connect and discuss how we can enhance your digital presence.