Get Your Artist Website Ready for the New Year
2020 is over. And I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for the end of a year as I am with this one. Someday perhaps we will gather over coffee and collectively sigh “W.T.F. 2020!” but until then,
Let’s get your artist website ready for the great things that are coming for you in the new year, shall we?
Copyright update.
Ever stumble on a website and notice that the copyright year is from 5 years ago? Not to go all Lady Whistledown on you but if your copyright year is not updated, your site visitors will notice and wonder what’s going on.
Show your site visitors you’re professional, you’re in business, and that you care by updating the copyright year on your site.
Here are a few formatting options:
Copyright 2021 Desk & Design LLC
Copyright 2018-2021 Desk & Design LLC
© 2019 Desk & Design LLC
© 2018-2019 Desk & Design LLC
By the way, if you don’t already have a legal entity for your business, please consider getting those duckies in a row ASAP. Go pro with an LLC and a business bank account this year.
Read your site out loud.
I’m not sure what kind of magic it is, but reading my copy out loud helps me be a much better copy editor. Channel your inner librarian and do a read-aloud of your entire website. It will be much easier to spot necessary updates this way.
Freshen up your main navigation.
With so many updates, it’s easy to overlook one of the most important parts of your website: your main navigation. Declutter it, clarify it, and make sure it fits in with your overall growth strategy.
Tidy up that junk drawer.
The footer of your website, also known as the junk drawer, is a great place for those non-essential links. Make sure you tidy it up, have your privacy policy and terms of use linked up as well as a newsletter sign-up form.
While we’re on the subject…
If you have a privacy policy, terms of use, and terms of sales, now’s the time to re-read them and make updates.
By law, your website needs a privacy policy. My favorite place to purchase these important documents is the Creative Law Shop. Their prices are going to go up in 2021 and so now’s the time to get all those legal ducks in a row!
Use promo code, MARIANA10 for an additional 10% off. I’ve purchased all of my legal documents from CLS, which is why I love recommending them to my artist clients. The code I mentioned is an affiliate, which means that at no extra cost to you, I get a small kickback while you protect your business’ legacy.
Make sure your website conspires with you.
Think of your big dreams and goals and objectively and make the changes to your site that will help you make big strives forward. Is your website elevating your work? Is it communicating your message and doing some of the heavy lifting for you?
While I recommend tweaking your website constantly, the new year is a great opportunity to make the moves that will make a lasting impact on your business.
If you haven’t already, go watch the FREE Branding Masterclass for Artists below.
Update your offers.
The new year is a great time to thoughtfully consider which offers are keepers, which offers to ditch, and which offers to update. Make sure the work you do is aligned with your vision, will help you reach your big dreams, and reflect the lifestyle you want to envision (or at least inch you closer to it).
Update your pricing.
While raising prices is a healthy business practice when done thoughtfully. You’ve gained more experience and refined your skills so raising prices to reflect those gains is a sustainable and wonderful practice.
Speaking of websites that conspire with and not against you, keep in mind…
a website is an investment and not a luxury.
Click below to see how I can help you get a website that helps your quiver meet its target.
