Main Street recommends periodically inspecting your website to verify it functions properly and provides up-to-date content. Here are our recommendations for a quick website audit:
> Verify company name, address, phone numbers are accurate throughout the site.
Have your zip code, phone numbers or address changed lately?
> Verify your primary business description and keywords occur on the home page in text.
Search engines cannot read keywords inside graphics or flash animations.
> Verify content is current.
Do you have old news stories or coupons on the site?
> Verify staff directory and contacts are current.
Check names, phone extensions and emails. Is it time for new staff headshots?
> Verify all pages, navigation and links work.
Check for broken links and missing pages.
> Verify all programming works.
Test the functions of contact forms, shopping carts, database lookups, etc.
> Make a site backup.
Make a backup, but store it in a different place than your hosting vendor.
> Check for security updates.
Check if your content management software needs any security updates.
Most Important:
> Verify your site still makes a good first impression.
Many new prospects today will view your website (and your competitors) before contacting you the first time. Does your site generate the first impression you want?
