A new year brings fresh goals, new plans, and a strong urge to “get things sorted.” For many small businesses, that starts with their website.
If your website felt slow, outdated, or difficult to manage last year, now is the perfect time to clean things up and set it up for better performance. You do not need a full rebuild to start the year right. A structured checklist can go a long way.
This New Year Website Checklist for Small Businesses helps you review, update, and improve your website for the year ahead.
1. Review Your Website Performance
Start by looking at how your website performed last year.
Check:
- page load speed
- bounce rate
- most visited pages
- pages that are underperforming
This gives you a clear idea of what is working and what needs attention. If visitors are leaving quickly or avoiding certain pages, those areas should be prioritised.
2. Check for Broken Links and Errors
Broken links and missing pages create a poor experience for visitors and affect SEO.
Go through your website and:
- click all main navigation links
- check buttons and calls to action
- fix or remove broken pages
Cleaning these up early in the year makes your site feel more reliable and professional.
👉 Need help spotting issues fast? Contact Brain Box Media and we’ll take a look.
3. Update Your Website Content
Outdated content sends the wrong message.
Review:
- service descriptions
- pricing or packages
- contact details
- business information
Make sure everything reflects where your business is now, not where it was last year. Clear and updated content builds trust and improves conversions.
4. Optimise for Mobile Users
Mobile traffic continues to dominate, especially for small businesses.
Check your site on a phone and make sure:
- text is readable
- buttons are easy to tap
- forms work smoothly
- pages load quickly
If mobile users struggle, they will leave. Simple adjustments can make a big difference.
5. Perform Website Maintenance and Updates
Regular maintenance keeps your website secure and running smoothly.
At the start of the year:
- update plugins and themes
- remove unused tools
- check for security warnings
- confirm backups are working
Doing this early helps prevent issues later when your business gets busier.
👉 Want ongoing support instead of doing this alone? Brain Box Media can help.
6. Review Your Calls to Action
Your website should guide visitors toward clear actions.
Check:
- contact buttons
- booking links
- enquiry forms
Make sure calls to action are visible, clear, and easy to use. If visitors do not know what to do next, they are less likely to convert.
7. Set Website Goals for the Year Ahead
Finally, think about what you want your website to achieve this year.
That might include:
- more enquiries
- better conversions
- improved SEO
- faster performance
Clear goals help guide future updates and keep your website aligned with your business growth.
Start the New Year With a Website That Works for You
A well-maintained website supports your business every day, not just during campaigns or busy seasons. Taking time to follow a New Year website checklist helps small businesses start strong and stay organised.
If you want help updating, maintaining, or improving your website this year, Brain Box Media is here to support you.
