Website Maintenance Checklist: January 2025
Hey there! It's that time of year when we all need to give our websites a little TLC. Think of it as a wellness check for your digital home. Here's what you should look at:
Website Maintenance Basics (But They Matter!)
Check your footer to verify the copyright year auto-updated.
Check for and fix any broken links (I use this free tool - it’s not fancy but it’s worked great for years!)
Review older blog posts and give them a refresh if needed. Search engines reward updated content.
Review your website policies - under laws like the CCPA, they must be updated annually.
Let's Talk About AI Search
The rise of AI-powered search has transformed how people find information online. Your potential visitors are no longer typing fragmented keywords like "website maintenance tips" - instead, they're asking full questions like "How do I keep my website updated?" or "What should I check on my website each year?"
This shift means quality content is more important than ever. Rather than packing your pages with repetitive keywords, focus on creating clear, helpful content that directly answers your visitors' questions. The good news? This approach not only works better with AI search engines, but it also creates a better experience for your readers.
One well-written, helpful page that directly addresses your visitors' needs will perform better than multiple pages of keyword-heavy content. AI search engines are smart enough to understand context and natural language, so write for humans first, and the search engines will follow.
Here's What You Can Do:
Get your site registered with both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools - both are free and super helpful! Why Bing? It’s the search engine used by OpenAI (ChatGPT), Meta AI and Siri.
Write your page descriptions like you're telling a friend what the page is about. Consider adding FAQ sections to your important pages - they're great for both visitors and AI search.
Look at your content through fresh eyes - does it sound natural, helpful and up-to-date?
Checklist For Squarespace Users
Double-check your SEO settings for each page - Squarespace makes this easy!
Take a peek at how your site looks on mobile devices using the preview tool.
Make sure your images have friendly, descriptive text that explains what they show.
Think about adding a search bar to help visitors find exactly what they need.
Keep an eye on your analytics to understand how visitors are using your site and what content they love most.
Your website is often the first impression people get of your business - make it a good one! These updates don't have to happen all at once. Pick a few tasks each month to keep things manageable and your site will stay fresh all year long.
Need help with any of these? Feel free to reach out - keeping websites happy is what I do!
