How to Keep Your Website Current...

I would like to provide some tips concerning your websites.

1. Writing Content.

Some people including myself have lost articles by writing them directly in Wordpress. Our fingers can get the best of us and push the wrong button. Maybe your screen freezes and you had to reboot. I have not been able to find a way to recapture the content so I have to retype the information.

The solution to this issue would be to write the content in Word, WordPerfect or other similar platform. Most have a backup option so that you can set how often your document is being backed up. I have mine set for every 2 minutes. Thus, if you happen to lose your content you may lose a sentence of two at the most and not the entire content.

2. Content.

You know the familiar saying at WA content is king. Keep adding content. I agree. But what about the content on your site that has been sitting there for 6 months or more. Are you sure it is still accurate.

The solution is for you to schedule time every few months to review all the articles you have written. Some articles may need to be updated with current information. Take a look to see if you can archive some articles. If the information is not relevant, then consider removing the article from your website. Before you remove the article, copy and paste the content somewhere. You want to be an authority in your niche so keep your content up to date.

3. Maintenance.

How is your website looking lately? Is there too many articles under a drop down menu? What about your header picture if you have one? Should it be freshened up. You want your website to appear neat and easy to navigate and not look like a bunch of articles thrown together with no purpose.

The solution is to update or add more headers to your primary menu to keep your articles well organized. Also think about updating your header picture. Consider what else you can do to make your site more appealing and easy to navigate for your visitors.

4. Backup.

I have read discussions and articles in WA from members that have lost their website somehow. I would say most have been able to be recovered but there is that occasion when it is not possible.

The solution is to backup at least once a month but those that add content regularly each week should back up more frequently. Writing articles in another forum is great so that they can be easily recovered. Also, back up your computer, laptop or other device you use to store your articles. You can do it through a service on the internet or hardware you plug into your device.

With the beginning of the new year two days away, what better time to think about your website and where you want to take it in 2014. Let me know if you have any other advise for maintaining websites.

Happy New Year to all of you. All the best to you in 2014.

Debbie