A business’ relationship with its website follows similar stages to many a romantic relationship. During the early days, you’re excited about all of the possibilities. You even learn a little web developer lingo so that you can be a part of the creative process. Plans are made, colors and designs are chosen lovingly.
Time passes, as it must. The website moves into production, and then it’s published in all of its glory. Your independent insurance agency finally has a face to show the world; you’ve built an online presence that you’re proud of. You show it off to your friends and family; you eagerly direct clients to your site.
More time passes. You’re busy. (Hopefully even busier due to your phenomenal website.) You’re preoccupied with your work, and you begin to take your website for granted. After all, it’s not going anywhere. The work is done. Your website doesn’t need you anymore.
When you’re in a romantic relationship, that’s about the time things go stale. It may surprise you to learn that the same thing happens with your business website! If you forget about your website, it’s entirely possible that your website is becoming forgettable. Just like your romantic relationships, your relationship with your website sometimes needs a little TLC.
So how do you keep your online presence lively and engaging? How do you avoid falling into a website rut? We’ve got a few answer to those questions.
In order to keep your website fresh, it helps to have a consistent infusion of fresh content. Blogs are one way to accomplish this goal. Even a brief monthly blog post, if it’s relevant and interesting, can keep your website from becoming stagnant. Plus, blog posts provide a setting for naturally using keyword phrases, which improves SEO and makes it easier for prospective clients to find your site.
If you’re using social media, like Twitter, a feed installed on your homepage can add movement as well as steadily updated information without much effort on your part.
Take time once a month to quickly skim through your website and find passages that might be out of date or even erroneous. With the passage of time, businesses tend to develop new focuses, offer new products, or even eliminate older services and products. Making a date with your website ensures that it’s always up to the minute and accurate.
Whether it’s a company picnic or just a great day in the office, take time to snap photos of your staff and clientele occasionally. Adding photos of “real people” as opposed to stock photos can make a huge difference in the appearance of your website.
Responsive web design has become more important with the popularity of smart phones. According to the Pew Research Institute, 63% of adult cell owners use their phones to go online, and for up to 34% of cell internet users, their phone is their primary source for internet access. An out of date website that doesn’t take into account these statistics needs to be updated right away to be mobile ready.
Consider Agencies Online your relationship counselor. We get to know your business and your goals, and then we use that knowledge to help you keep your online presence fresh. You don’t have to do it all yourself after all. Give us a call today to begin developing a plan to build your insurance agency’s online presence.