Quarter 4 Planning

How to Refresh Your Website Before the New Year

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5 Tiny changes that make a big visual impact (no big redesign required)

Let’s be honest here, your website has probably seen some things this year. Even if it’s a pile of dust (no judgement). That “limited time offer” from February? Still live. Your blog? Ghost town. And your contact form? Not even connected to the right email.

But hey, wanna know somethin’? You don’t need to do a full rebrand all-nighter to give your site a little sparkle. Sometimes, just a few changes are all it takes to go from ‘meh’ to magnetic.

Grab your favorite pen, notebook and cozy drink and let’s clean up that digital storefront.

  1. Swap out stale imagery

Update your hero image, portfolio samples, or any headshots that scream three hairstyles ago. Visuals are your first impression, especially for creative businesses. Swapping in a new, fresh image, can instantly make your site feel current (even if everything else stays the same).

If you’re feeling festive or seasonal, you can add a little bit of that touch to make it feel timely and intentional. Just don’t go for corny, okay?

2. Refresh your homepage copy

Revisit your main headlines, offers and calls to action and ask yourself:

  1. Is this still what I offer
  2. Do I sound like me
  3. Would I click this if I were my dream client

    Also, don’t forget to update your intro blurb to showcase where your biz is going in 2026, not where it was in 2022.

    3. Reorganize your navigation (just a lil’ bit)

    Simplify your top menu, remove outdated pages, rename confusing links, and make it easy to find your services or shop. Clarity = conversions. If your dream client lands on your site and doesn’t know where to click next, they won’t.

    Add a ‘start here’ or ‘work with me’ button to your nav to guide the scroll-happy wanderers (hello, hi, it’s me!).

    4. Check your mobile site

    View your site on mobile and make sure it tracks. Tap, rage click, repeat. Most traffic is going to come from mobile, whether we like it or not. If the scroll is too long, is there enough information before they get to the bottom where they can get to where they want/need to? Make sure the text is legible, buttons work, and load time is good. Slow load time can lead to lost sales and leads.

    5. Audit your CTAs like a pro

    Scan your site for every call-to-action. ARe they clear? Do they reflect your current goals? If your main CTA still says ‘Book 2023 Services” we have a problem. 

    If you’re feeling extra spicy, add a new client testimonial and some subtle animation. If you’d like more holiday and Q4 tips – make sure you’re on my newsletter where you get a branding tip every Monday.

    And if you’re out of time but you know you need an update. Book a VIP day for a quick website refresh.

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    Hey, I'm Carly.

    I started Hey, Carl! so I could homeschool my kiddos. Even though they're doing "regular" school, Hey, Carl! has the same vibe: play, have fun, and do my best to build it around our life.

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