Audit of a Website - How to Check Your Site's "Health"

Top 10 Ways to Check Your Website’s “Health:” The Audit of a Website

December 18, 2023

Black and white pen and ink drawing depicting a website get a health check up

Now that we've popped the corks and kissed our loved ones under a confetti-speckled sky, the JamboJon team wishes a Happy New Year to each of you!

Have you already set specific goals to log thousands of steps each day, drink more water, and cut back on your favorite, unhealthy habits? What about your business? Don't forget to check-in about your website's health as you dive into 2024.

Over the last year, your site might have grown sluggish with too many plugins, stale content, or outdated connections. Much like our personal health, a vibrant and well-maintained website provides optimal performance and user satisfaction. Let's explore the concept of a "website health check-up," before we trek too far into the new year.

Monitor Your Pulse: Website Speed and Performance

Just as a healthy heart is crucial for overall well-being, the speed and performance of your website can be key factors to your success. Users expect quick access to information, and a slow-loading website can result in frustration and high bounce rates. Conduct regular speed tests using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to diagnose and address any issues related to your website speed.

Strengthen the Backbone: SEO Fitness

A healthy body craves movement! A website in peak condition invites action - visitors find your site effectively through search engines. Regularly audit your site's SEO by reviewing meta tags, making sure your keyword usage and content are optimized. Utilize tools like Google Search Console to identify and address any issues affecting your site's visibility on search engines.

Nourish Content: Quality and Relevant

A well-balanced diet is pivotal to good health, and in the digital world, high-quality and relevant content offers the nourishment your website needs. Update and refresh your content; align it with your audience's changing interests and current concerns. Identify outdated or irrelevant information and replace it with fresh, engaging material.

Immunize Against Threats: Security Protocols

Just as vaccinations protect against diseases, implementing proactive security measures safeguards your website against cyber threats. Regularly update software, plugins, and themes to patch vulnerabilities. Conduct security audits, employ HTTPS, and consider a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to bolster your website's defenses against potential attacks.

Enhance User Experience: User-Friendly Navigation

It's simple. If you can't stand the layout or the music played at the gym around the corner, you probably won't go. If your users find your website clunky and hard to use, they will go elsewhere. Honestly evaluate your website's navigation. Is it intuitive? User-friendly? Conduct usability testing to identify any friction points and make adjustments to streamline the user's experience.

Stretch Your Muscles: Mobile Responsiveness

Before physical exertion, you stretch your muscles so that you can move at full capacity. Websites also must stay flexible. A significant portion of internet users access websites through mobile devices, and an effective design offers a seamless experience across various screen sizes. Verify that your website adapts effectively to different devices, providing a consistent and enjoyable experience for all users.

Oxygenate Design: Aesthetic Appeal

Just as a well designed living space contributes to mental well being, an aesthetically pleasing website design enhances user satisfaction. Evaluate the visual appeal of your website. Captivate your audience with updated visuals, fonts, and colors to stay current with design trends. A modern, inviting appearance breathes life into your brand.

Build Resilience: Backup and Recovery Plans

Having a website back up plan contributes to peace of mind. You shed the burden of making decisions, last-minute changes, or worse, having to try to restore a database that has been corrupted by malware or a virus. Regularly backing up your website data is vital! Implement comprehensive backup and recovery plans to protect against data loss or unforeseen incidents. Your backups must be stored securely. Test the restoration process periodically to guarantee their effectiveness in times of need. (For more detailed ideas, check out our tech tip, "Backing Up" in this newsletter issue).

Conduct Regular Check Ups: Periodic Audits

Routine health check ups give providers an opportunity to catch potential issues early, and the same principle applies to your website. Conduct periodic audits encompassing all aspects of your online presence. Check for broken links, resolve duplicate content issues, and test all forms and functionalities to make sure they are working as intended. A proactive approach to website maintenance can prevent issues from escalating.

At JamboJon, we offer FREE website audits. Here, at our base camp, we can review the overall "health" of your website and prescribe solutions to address any issues that might arise. Just so this doesn't sink into the realm of "Resolutions I dropped by the end of the month," we want to offer a special incentive. The gift-giving season is not over!

We invite you, our friends and clients, to schedule a FREE website audit this month. If you book a time for a website "health check" during the month of January 2024, your name will be entered into a drawing to win a gift basket yada yada yada: a prize package worth yada yada yada.

We believe strongly in prioritizing the health of your website so that you can sustain the momentum your business enjoyed this last year. In 2024, we want your business to thrive and grow in ways you never imagined. Let us put our expertise to work for you! (And you don't even have to change into a breezy hospital gown!)

We look forward to chatting with you and celebrating your accomplishments this last year. May 2024 treat you well

Warmly,

The JamboJon Team