Hey Reader,

I hope you aren't tired of me telling you all the things you need to do with your website, because that is literally why I am here.

To remind you of the things that you are not thinking about when it comes to your biggest digital asset... YOUR WEBSITE!
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Your website needs regular maintenance just like your car, your home, or even that plant on your desk that's begging for water right now. (No judgment - we've all been there!)

But here's the thing about website maintenance - when you skip it, the consequences aren't always immediately visible.

It's like ignoring that weird noise in your car until BOOM suddenly you're stranded on the side of the road.

Here's the quick version if you're short on time:

• Check your site speed (slow sites lose visitors FAST)
• Test your user experience (what's frustrating your visitors?)
• Update outdated content (because nothing says "neglect" like 2023 information)

Let’s talk details…

1. CHECK YOUR SITE SPEED

Think of your website speed like the first impression at a job interview - you only get one chance, and it happens FAST.

What's actually happening when visitors hit a slow site:

• 53% of visitors abandon sites that take more than 3 seconds to load
• Google actually ranks faster sites higher in search results
• Every extra second of load time reduces conversions by 7%

Here's why this matters: I've seen businesses invest thousands in beautiful designs only to lose customers because their site felt like it was running on dial-up internet from 1999!

You've got options for testing:

• ​Google PageSpeed Insights (free and gives you specific recommendations)
• ​GTmetrix (shows you exactly what's slowing things down)
• ​WebPageTest (for more detailed analysis)

Quick fixes that often make a big difference:

1. Optimize your images (they're usually the biggest culprits)
2. Enable browser caching if your platform allows it
3. Consider a performance optimization plugin or app for your specific platform

2. TEST YOUR USER EXPERIENCE

I'll be straight with you - what seems obvious to you might be confusing to your visitors.

We're all too close to our own businesses to see the roadblocks. Me included.

Think of user experience testing like this: it's making sure your visitors don't need a treasure map to find what they're looking for on your site.

Monthly UX check-up:

• Test all your forms (nothing kills leads faster than a broken form!)
• Click through your main navigation from a visitor's perspective
• Check your site on mobile (over 50% of web traffic is mobile now!)
• Try to complete key actions (buying a product, booking a call, signing up)

Pro tip: Ask a friend who doesn't know your business well to try completing a specific task on your site without guidance.

Then watch what they do (and where they get stuck). You'll be amazed at what you'll discover!

You can also use tools like Hotjar or Clariti to see real user behavior on your site - it's like having a secret window into how people actually use your website.

While we are talking about user experience, my girl Tomiko, SEO Strategist, Travel Blogger, and Studio117’s customer number 1, was invited to kick it with the people over at Google last week in an intimate, pretty exclusive event.

From her time spent there, she has some valuable insights that she published recently. You should check it out.

Because one of the things she mentioned is that Google shared that a big part of ranking now is making sure you have your readers and users at the forefront of your work and efforts.

3. UPDATE OUTDATED CONTENT AND INFORMATION

Your website content is like milk - it has an expiration date. And once it's past that date, it starts to smell funny to your visitors.

Content to check monthly:

• Pricing and service information (is everything current?)
• Team information and bios
• Seasonal references that are no longer relevant
• Blog posts that could use a refresh with current information
• Testimonials (are you showcasing your most recent success stories?)

Think about it this way: every piece of outdated content on your site potentially sends the wrong message to your visitors.

That "2024 Special Offer" banner? It's telling people your website isn't maintained (and making them wonder what else you're neglecting).

The best part about this monthly content review? It often sparks ideas for new blog posts, services, or improvements to your site. Win-win!

BONUS TIP: MAKE IT A ROUTINE

I'm a problem solver at heart, so here's my ultimate hack for almost everything I HAVE to do: make it a consistent habit!

Create a simple recurring calendar reminder with this checklist. Block out 30 minutes once a month to start.

When you get into the habit of doing regular website audits, they get faster and easier each time.

What might take 30 minutes the first time will eventually take just 10-15 minutes once you're familiar with your process.

The key is consistency. Small, regular check-ins prevent those massive, time-consuming overhauls that happen when sites are neglected for months.

Need help setting up a maintenance routine, fixing site speed issues, or even updating content? That's literally what I do! Hit reply and let me know how I can help.

P.S. When was the last time you checked your site speed? If it's been more than three months, stop what you're doing and go run a quick test. I'll wait. (Seriously, it's that important!)