Refresh Your Squarespace Website for 2023
It’s almost 2023, and that means a new year, new goals, and maybe even a new website! No matter your industry, having a website is essential in today’s digital market. Keeping your Squarespace website up-to-date with the latest design trends will help you stand out from the competition and show your visitors that you’re serious about your work.
But it's not just design trends that you need to worry about. Today, I’ll walk you through the most important updates you need to make to your website to get ready for 2023.
FIRST THINGS FIRST…
Analyze your analytics
Before diving into your refresh, take a look at what's working--or not working. Your website analytics will tell you which pages are most popular, how long visitors stay on certain pages, and what keywords they use to find you. With this data in hand, you can improve the current design, tailor your content, and ensure your website is optimized for search engine visibility.
Mobile-Friendly is a Must
Squarespace makes it easy to have a mobile-friendly website, but that doesn't mean you should leave it up to chance. Phones and tablets are the most popular way to view content these days, so a functioning mobile site isn't enough--it needs to be flawless!
Ensure your website is responsive, has the right size buttons and fonts for all devices, and that pages load quickly. Sign-up pop-up windows are valuable tools, but it's essential that they don't block the main content on the page, especially on mobile. Clients who can't see the content may get annoyed and look elsewhere
While you're checking for mobile compatibility, go ahead and test your site using different browsers as well. Chrome and Safari are among the most popular, but you should also check other browsers like Firefox and Edge.
Don't Let Your Website Date You
Website designs change quickly, and it’s important to stay on top of what's current if you want your website to stand out. Analyze competitors' websites and take notes of the design elements they use effectively.
Look for trends in color palettes, font styles, layout structure, and so forth, and consider how you can apply these to your website. You want to avoid copying their exact design, but you can use it as inspiration for creating a unique website that looks modern and professional.
You also need to ensure that your site's content is current. If you’re offering services, make sure your price list is up to date, and if you’re running a blog, ensure that any content published within the last year is still relevant.
Make an Impression
Your website is the first impression many customers will have of your business. It's essential to make sure that impression is a good one. Professional photography can help you capture the essence of your business and show potential clients what they could expect if they worked with you.
Stock photos are a great alternative if professional photography isn't in your budget. You can use them to add visual interest to your website or blog and help illustrate your points without looking like every other website. And if you want to take things a step further, AI-generated art is a fantastic way to show off your unique style and set yourself apart from the competition.
Clean House
After a year (or more) of website activity, it's likely that there are bits of content that need to be removed or updated. Take a look at the pages on your site and remove any links that lead to broken pages, outdated information, or irrelevant content.
It’s also a good idea to delete any plugins you no longer use and make sure all third-party links are working. It’s easy to forget about plugins and scripts once installed, but it’s critical to keep them up-to-date for your website's best performance and security.
You can also take some time to ensure that the plug-ins you're using are still the best out there. A year is a long time in the tech world, and new plug-ins and improved versions of the same plugins may be available. If that’s the case, it's worth doing some research and making sure you switch over to better versions.
By taking these steps and keeping your Squarespace website up-to-date, you can be confident that your small business is well-positioned for success in 2023!
Refresh Your Homepage
Your homepage is the first stop for most clients, so it makes sense to pay special attention when refreshing your website. Take a look at the content, images, and other elements on the page and decide if they need an upgrade.
Think about how you want visitors to feel when they land on this page and make sure that each element reflects that sentiment. Add a modern design or update the existing one to something fresh and eye-catching. Include information about new programs or services you're offering in 2023. The beginning of the year is a great time to announce your plans and get your clients excited about what's coming.
You should also ensure your homepage is search engine optimized, so include keywords that match what potential clients might be searching for when they find you. With this data, you can improve the page to make it more visible to search engines and make it easier for customers to find your website.
Change Up Your Visuals
New visuals will make a huge difference in how your website looks and feels, even if you don't update any other content. Replace stock photos with visuals representing your brand, add new videos to show what you do, or even consider hiring a photographer for fresh images of you and your team.
Content is king in website design, so take some time to publish new blog posts with relevant topics and keywords. Adding articles with the most up-to-date information about your industry and business will help make your website more visible in search engine results. Plus, your clients will love getting new data from a trusted source.
Update Your Security
Finally, test your website for security vulnerabilities. Hackers are constantly developing new attacks, and you must ensure that your website is prepared against them.
If you're using third-party applications, plugins, or scripts on your site, updating them and running security scans is a good idea. Do a few Google searches to check for any significant security risks or updates you should know about to ensure your website is as secure as possible.
Get Help if You Need It
As an expert in Squarespace Web Design, I understand how important it is for small businesses to have a website with a professional design and user-friendly experience. With my custom website design packages tailored to your needs, you can feel confident that your website looks and functions just how you want it to.
It's okay if web design isn’t your forte – with my help, you can have a website that looks amazing, is easy to use, and helps you reach your business goals with more freedom in less time.
I'm passionate about helping Christian entrepreneurs, and service-based business owners create websites they love. Let me help you make the most of your website in 2023 – reach out today for more information!
Ready to Get Started?
With all the great features of Squarespace, where do you start? You need an aesthetically pleasing, fully functional, conversion-worthy website to connect with more clients, but you're also a busy entrepreneur with a lot on your plate, and web design doesn't always come first on the list.
That's where I come in.
I'm a Squarespace expert, and I can help you create a website that you and your clients will love. Click here to learn more about my services, or contact me to get started today. I offer various services, from customizable templates to a completely custom website build.
And the best part? I'll help you every step of the way. You won't have to worry about a thing -- except how you're going to handle all the new business you're about to get!
♡ Alex E.
