by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: February 13, 2010   Last Updated: March 04, 2010

Whether you are the host of one website, or many, spring is an excellent time to give your virtual home a good, thorough spring cleaning.  The best way to start your spring cleaning is to sit down with your favorite drink or snack, a pad of paper and a pen and open up the website/s you wish to tidy up.  In taking a few minutes to create a list of the desired changes, updates and clean up ideas you wish to make, the spring cleaning of your site will be much more of an organized experience. 

Considering, that first impressions mean everything, online this is even more true.  In an online world where everything and anything is available in a matter of seconds, your online presence needs to be up to date and to the point or viewers will find their information somewhere else.  Spring cleaning of your website is a have to do, even on a weekly basis, depending on what kind of website you run.  Four aspects of your website should be considered when creating your ‘To Do’ list for spring cleaning of your website.  The layout, the content, and any advertising or links that may be found within your web pages should be thought of when creating your list.

Layout/Esthetics

Back to the importance of first impressions, the layout and general aesthetics of your site should first be looked at.  Is your site pleasing to the eye, is there out of date material found, is there any images or advertising that needs to be updated?  These are all questions you should keep in mind when creating you work list.  You may want to even consider updating your template, the fonts used or widgets and links that may be found in sidebars or other areas of your website.  Are there any new features you want to add to your website?

Posts/ Content

Next to think about when creating your work list, is the content, pages and posts found within your website.  Are there any pages that could use an update or a refresher?  Did you miss any spelling errors or html errors in final proofing?  It is also a good idea to review older and newer content alike, as even spell checkers and editors to miss things.  If content and information is also posted or promoted at another site you may want to make sure links and contents there, is also update.   

Advertising/ Promotions

You, also, do not want to forget about the advertising and promotional material that is most likely found in the sidebars, leader boards, content and footers of your website and pages.  Make sure to include any updates, changes or removals that need to be made in your work list. 

Links 

The last aspect of your website to consider in your spring cleaning is any links and link pages that may exist within your site.  As discussed, if viewers find broken and obsolete links within a website they will generally go somewhere else to find their information or services.

In conclusion of our discussion on spring cleaning and your website, once your work list is prepared listing your desired changes and updates, the spring cleaning of your online home should be done in no time.

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