Keeping your WordPress website updated increases your security as well as the function of your site. Yes, I know it seems that updates are required a little too often, but that’s because users, like you and me, find bugs or problems and pass that information on to Automattic, where the WordPress team reviews issues and makes the corrections.
This is just one of the advantages of WordPress being an open source format. It allows everyone to help make it better and better…. which of course… is great for all of us.
Along with keeping the back end of your site updated, it’s good to review the front end of your site and consider keeping it fresh also. Of course, that doesn’t mean you need to update it as frequently as your WordPress updates but, a good yearly review would be a great idea.
Trends and colors change. It hasn’t been too long ago that front pages were pretty static looking. Now, many exciting features are available. There is hardly an updated website that does not include a slider, a carousel or some other moving feature on the front page to draw attention. Lots of images are a must.
These features are for the purpose of entertaining your readers and keeping them on your website longer. It decreases the “Bounce Rate” (which is the time between when your reader enters your site and bounces off.” If they leave quickly, perhaps they didn’t find what they were looking for, or your site looks old, the navigation is difficult, or your site is just plain ugly. Heavens knows, there are a million reasons why a reader will bounce off quickly.
The point is, your front page can make a difference between a reader sticking around for a few minutes or zipping off to another more appealing website that may have similar content.
Here are a few things to consider when updating you site.
Color: If the color combinations are old, it reveals itself immediately. Keep abreast of new color trends by looking at other updated sites. The colors that are used in fashion is a good place to start observing. Colors, right now, seem to be brighter. Of course, I understand that Orange may not be a wise choice for an attorney… but you get the drift.
Clean: Website front pages are becoming very clean. You can generally tell an old site by the abundance of text and material that is on the front page. By having too much information on the front page can over-whelm your website reader. Besides it can look messy. By keeping your front page simple, and very image visual, it will encourage your visitor to visit the inside pages of your website for the content.
Navigation: I cannot impress upon you the importance of easy navigation. If a visitor has to hunt for very long for what they are looking for, they will click off and go somewhere else. If you have an important page for your reader to see, send them to that page from several navigation points…top navigation bar, sidebar and clickable images. Make it as easy as you can for your reader to find your good content.
Is it time for you to consider an updated WordPress look?
“All Webmasters Are Not Alike”
Kathy
P.S. That is what is so wonderful about WordPress Themes. There are so many options you can choose from that will give you a fresh new look. The vast amount of WordPress plugins give you so many of the new feature items that will enhance your front page.
Go for it!
