When people are looking for information online, they want to know that they are finding new and correct information. If your site does not send the right signals, they will be gone and on to the next site.
Here are a few things you can do to make sure you have an up to date website.
First, check the copyright date. I was on sites this week that had copyright dates of 2008, 2005, 2003 and even 1999. When I see an out of date copyright notice I wonder: (1) Are these people still in business? and (2) When did they last touch this site? I do not trust the information I find there if it looks like the website may not have been updated in years.
Tip: If your site has been around for a while, show an inclusive copyright date. For example, at IdeaLady.com, my copyright says, “Copyright 1998 – (the current year).” And it always shows the correct current year because a script changes the date automatically when a new year begins.
Show the date the site was last updated. Some website software will do this automatically, or you may be able to insert some code to make it do so. Of course, this is only effective if you…
Update your site regularly. Make sure your contact data, location, hours and other information are correct. Do you have new products, or have you discontinued some old ones? Make your site reflect that. And you should frequently add new content to your site, such as articles, tips, special offers, etc.
When someone visits your site, they will see that your business has a vital online presence, and that is sure to make a good impression.