5 Things to Update on Your Website at the Start of Every Year
New year, new you… and yes, new updates for your website. Think of it as your digital refresh — a great way to start the new year off on the right foot. Here are five essential steps to ensure your website is ready for success in 2026.
Step 1: Update Your Copyright Year
Start with one of the simplest yet most overlooked tasks: your copyright year. While some platforms, like Shopify, automatically update, others may require manual updates, so it’s important to check the footer of your website.
Although this might seem like a small detail, keeping the year current shows your customers that you are attentive and your website is up to date.
Step 2: Review All Buttons & Links
Throughout the year, websites constantly evolve — we tweak things, rearrange content, delete items, and sometimes break things…(yes, even on a web developer's website!).
Take a quick tour of your site and click every button. Make note of:
Anything broken
Anything outdated
Anything confusing
Anything that no longer reflects your goals for 2026
This is also a good time to review your analytics and see which buttons, calls to action, and forms are most used. Look at their placement and wording. If some call-to-actions or buttons perform well, consider updating others to match the clarity and tone that work best. Your goal is to make every entry point to your website accessible, easy to navigate and straightforward.
Step 3: Plan Your Holiday Marketing
If you’re a service provider, now is the perfect time to reconnect with your past clients. Send a friendly message, include some prompts to spark ideas, and ask if they’d be open to writing a new testimonial. If possible, ask them to post their testimonials directly on your Google Business Profile; if not, make sure they give permission to use their words on your site.
If you sell products, enable product reviews on your website, and send a gentle email or run a marketing campaign to encourage customers to share their feedback. A small incentive — like a loyalty reward or a discount on their next purchase — can go a long way.
Remember, new testimonials = new social proof = happier future clients.
Step 4: Update Services & Pricing
Reflect on the past year:
What projects energized you?
What drained you?
What brought the best results for your clients and your business?
Use these reflections to modify your services or product offerings for the upcoming year. Refine your packages to better align with the type of work you want to attract in 2026.
If you track project time, compare quotes to actual hours. If you’re often underquoting, this is your moment to adjust your pricing or process to protect your margins. If you price hourly, make sure your rate accounts for current inflation and cost-of-living changes.
While you’re at it, double-check your SEO descriptions to ensure they don’t mention outdated services you no longer offer.
Step 5: Create Gift Guides & Support Local
If you haven’t started a blog yet, consider this your sign.
And if you already have one…it’s time to dust it off and start afresh.
A regularly updated blog is one of your most powerful SEO tools. Google favours active websites that publish helpful, relevant content. Plus, blog posts showcase:
Your expertise
Your personality
Your unique process
That you’re actively running your business
Blogs also give you space to explore topics that don’t fit on your main services pages — making them ideal for sharing your authentic voice. This helps AI connect your content to your tone, making it easier for the right audience to find you.
Not sure where to start? Here are two blog post ideas:
Revisit topics you’ve shared on social media and expand on them
Turn FAQs into separate blog posts
Bonus tip: Think about the exact phrases people type into Google (or ask AI assistants). If a topic can be framed as “How do I…?” or “What’s the best way to…?” you’re on the right track. Clear, helpful answers are content gold.
Feeling a little overwhelmed?
If this all feels a bit overwhelming, don’t stress — that’s what we’re here for. Whether you’re in the Toronto or Niagara area, our team can help you stay up to date, optimized, and set you up for a smooth and successful 2026.
Here’s to starting your digital year strong!
✿ Written By Tori Warkentin
Hey there! I’m Tori, the in-house writer at Cedar + Mint Co.! With a deep love for words and a passion for storytelling, I specialize in crafting engaging, insightful content that resonates with readers.
