Taking Over a Website? Here’s Your First Move
When you inherit a website, the unique characteristics of each site can influence your strategy. However, what is your initial, go-to action when stepping into this new role?
What would be your first actions after managing a new site?
2 responses to “What would be your first actions after managing a new site?”
When taking over an existing website, the first strategic move you make can set the tone for its future success. Whether you’re inheriting an e-commerce site, a content blog, or any other type of website, the initial steps are crucial. Below, I’ve outlined a structured and detailed approach to auditing and improving a website as soon as you take over:
Step 1: Comprehensive Site Audit
1.1 Technical Audit
Performance Analysis: Evaluate site speed and performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Prioritize improvements such as image optimization, browser caching, and reducing server response time.
Mobile-Friendliness: Test the site’s mobile responsiveness. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test is a good starting point.
SEO Technical Health: Check for issues using tools like Ahrefs or Screaming Frog SEO Spider. Look for 404 errors, redirect loops, or sitemap and robots.txt issues.
1.2 Content Audit
Content Quality and Relevance: Perform a content audit to identify outdated or underperforming content. Check for relevance, accuracy, and opportunities to update or expand existing content.
Content Structure: Ensure posts are organized and categorized correctly. Check that titles and meta descriptions are optimized and compelling.
1.3 Analytics and Tracking
Google Analytics/Tag Manager: Set up or review existing analytics settings to ensure you’re capturing the right data. Verify that goals and conversion tracking are working.
Heatmaps and User Behavior Analytics: Tools like Hotjar can provide insights into user interactions and areas of improvement.
Step 2: Define Objectives and KPIs
Before making any changes, identify the website’s primary goals. Whether it’s increasing traffic, boosting conversions, or enhancing user engagement, you need clear objectives.
Step 3: Quick Wins
3.1 Optimize Low-Hanging Fruits
Great insights on the initial steps to take when managing a new website! One key action I would recommend as a first move is conducting a comprehensive audit of the site. This includes analyzing the site’s performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics and checking for any SEO issues with platforms such as SEMrush or Ahrefs.
Understanding the site’s current traffic, engagement levels, and user demographics can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, reviewing the content for quality, relevancy, and adherence to best SEO practices can provide valuable insights into what resonates with your audience.
Don’t forget to assess the technical aspects, such as site speed and mobile responsiveness, as these factors greatly impact user experience. Establishing a solid foundation through this audit will help to inform subsequent actions, whether it’s content creation, redesign, or marketing strategies.
Lastly, engaging with the site’s existing community through social media or comments can also offer insights into what users appreciate or wish to see improved. This kind of user feedback is invaluable for shaping your future content and engagement strategies.