Spring is finally here! As we welcome the warmth and sunshine, it’s time to clean, organize, and get rid of all that junk… and I’m not just talking about your home!
Just like your physical living space, your online home deserves some TLC every now and then. Over time, your WordPress site can get a little cluttered. Plugins and themes might need updating, and your content could probably use a refresh. But don’t worry! With a little effort and my handy dandy tips below, we’ll have your WordPress site looking and working its best this Spring 🌸
So, why bother with a digital spring cleaning? Picture this: a visitor lands on your site and is greeted by a clean, visually appealing design & layout, quick loading times, and fresh, engaging content. It’s the kind of experience that makes them want to stick around, explore more, and connect with what you have to offer. By giving your online home a little TLC, you’re making it more welcoming and encouraging visitors to stay longer.
Below, I’ve put together a list of 8 easy tips to help you get started!
01. Update WordPress, Themes, and Plugins
First things first, make sure your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are all up to date. Keeping everything updated isn’t just about getting the latest features—it’s also about making sure your website runs smoothly and stays secure.
WordPress is always evolving, and with each update, there might be changes to the core software. That’s why it’s important to update your plugins and themes, too, so they stay compatible with the latest version of WordPress and work well together. By keeping everything up to date, you can prevent conflicts, errors, and security issues, and ensure your site continues to function without a hitch.
02. Remove unused themes & audit plugins
From your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance > Themes, and delete any WordPress themes you’re not using to clear up some space on your server. If you’re using a child theme, make sure you don’t delete the parent theme! For example, our Kadence child themes run on the Kadence theme, so you’d want to make sure to keep your child theme AND the Kadence theme.
Then, from your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins and take the time to review all of your installed plugins. Remove any unnecessary or unused ones to declutter your website. Consider whether any plugins can be replaced with more lightweight alternatives to improve performance.
If you want to dive deeper on cleaning up your plugins, check out my blog post: How to Confidently Conduct a WordPress Plugin Audit
03. Check tablet & mobile responsiveness
This is a BIG one. In today’s world, more people are browsing the web on their phones and tablets than ever before. In fact, over half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, making it crucial that your WordPress site looks and works great on screens of all sizes. If your site isn’t responsive, you risk losing visitors and, ultimately, potential customers.
When you use one of my Kadence child themes, your site comes already optimized for mobile and tablet responsiveness. However, if you’ve made significant changes to your desktop layout, it’s important to give some extra attention to how your site looks on smaller devices. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:
By ensuring your site is responsive across all devices, you’re making sure every visitor has a positive experience, whether they’re on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
04. Refresh and enhance your content
Keeping your page and blog content fresh and up-to-date is important for maintaining an engaging and relevant website. Over time, information can become outdated, trends shift, and your audience’s needs may change. That’s why it’s essential to regularly review and refresh your blog posts and page content.
By updating your content, you’re not only providing your readers with the most accurate and useful information, but you’re also signaling to search engines that your site is active and worth ranking higher. Google values high-quality content above all else! This can lead to improved SEO performance, more traffic, and ultimately, more engagement from your audience.
Here’s some simple tips to refresh & update your blog posts and page content:
05. Speed up your WordPress site
Website speed isn’t just nice to have– it’s a must. Google ranks fast-loading websites higher, meaning a slow site could be hurting your SEO and driving visitors and potential customers away.
Before I dive into my site speed tips below, I want to say that while having a fast loading site is important, don’t obsess too much about hitting perfect green scores in Core Web Vitals. It’s great to aim for fast loading times, but Google values high-quality content even more. Focus on creating content that’s engaging, informative, and valuable to your readers—that’s what really makes a difference in your site performance and rankings.
06. Check for broken links
Broken links happen when a page can’t be found, likely leading to a 404 Not Found page on your website. They can crop up for all sorts of reasons– maybe the page got moved or deleted, or the link was just set up incorrectly.
These broken links can be super frustrating for your visitors, and can make people want to leave your site quickly, which isn’t great for your rankings. That’s why it’s really important to keep an eye on your links, both internal and external, to make sure they aren’t leading to those annoying 404 error pages. A simple way to do this is by using the free Broken Link Checker plugin. It’s easy to use and helps you stay on top of any broken links.
07. Update your imagery
The images you use on your website, especially your homepage, play a crucial role in how visitors perceive you and your brand. Over time, the images that once worked for you might start to feel outdated or may no longer align with your brand’s message. That’s why it’s important to regularly review the images on your site to ensure they’re still effective and relevant.
If you’re using free stock photography, take a moment to assess if those images have become too generic and overused. Refreshing them with paid stock photos can be a great investment, as they’re often less commonly seen and can really help your site stand out. I love browsing Creative Market for paid stock photo bundles!
If it’s within your budget, you might want to consider doing a brand shoot with a local photographer. Custom brand photography can give your website an authentic feel that resonates more deeply with your visitors!
Remember, the right images can create an emotional connection with your audience, build trust, and support your brand’s story.
08. Switch to a new WordPress theme
Is it time for a website refresh?! Ask yourself these questions:
If you answered “no” to any of these questions, it might be time to consider a new WordPress theme! Here at Hearten Made, I specialize in crafting Kadence child themes designed with creative entrepreneurs and bloggers mind. My Kadence child themes are not only beautiful and so easy to update and customize, but they’re also built to be fast, lightweight, and fully responsive across all devices.
Plus, when you choose one of my themes, you’re not only getting a beautiful website design—you’re getting all the tech support you need to make it your own. I provide detailed video tutorials to guide you through every step, so you can confidently customize your site to fit your brand!
Final Thoughts
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home– it’s also a great way to refresh your WordPress site, too. By taking the time to update your themes and plugins, optimize your site’s speed, and refresh your blog content, you’re setting the stage for better performance, improved SEO, and a more engaging experience for your visitors.
Remember, your website is often the first impression potential customers have of your business. A clean, organized, and visually appealing site shows that you care about your online presence and, by extension, your audience! Whether it’s updating imagery, checking for broken links, or considering a new theme, each step you take brings your site closer to its full potential. Happy Spring cleaning! 🌸