9 Actionable Steps How to Update Website Content (2024)

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Struggling with how to keep your content fresh and up to date? You know, making sure it's always fresh and exciting for your visitors? Well, you're in luck, because I totally get it!

In this article, I'll share my detailed tutorial on how to update website content.

These are the exact strategies I use to revive my own site's content, turning forgotten pages into valuable, high-quality content that generates sales and engages my audience.

Trust me, by the time you finish reading, you'll be armed with the knowledge to create captivating pieces of content that will wow your audience and boost your website's performance.

So if you are ready, let's dive right in!

How to Update Website Content: My Detailed Step-by-step

Before you update any content on your website, it's important to check some important things. These are:

• Technical SEO: Check for any broken links, ensure your site structure is clear, and verify that your URLs are clean. Also, confirm if your site is mobile-friendly and if meta tags are properly used to describe your content.
• Website speed: How fast does your site load? Slow websites are a major buzzkill!
• Duplicate content: Make sure that the content on your site is unique and not copied from other sources

If your website has no problems, then great news! You're all set to update your website content.

Step 1: Analyze Which Content Need to be Updated

The first thing you need to do is figure out which pieces of content need a little boost. You can use Google Search Console for this process.

Here's how you can use it:

1. Log in to your Google Search Console account
2. Look for the "Search results" under the "Performance" tab and click on it. You'll see a bunch of data, like the number of clicks, impressions, and average CTR for your website's pages. Click on the "Average position" tab.
3.  Now, click on the "Position" filter and set it to show pages that rank higher than 20. These are the ones we want to focus on updating.

Also, you would want to choose keywords that are not already ranked in the top 3. 

Those top-ranking keywords already have a GOOD position in the search results, attracting attention from visitors. 

So, it's best to focus on keywords that have room for improvement and give your content a chance to shine!

On the other hand, the pages that rank beyond the top 20 may require more significant improvements to climb up the ranks.

By narrowing our focus to the 4-20 range, we strike a balance. These pages have shown some potential but have slipped a bit.

They're in a sweet spot where with some updates and improvements, we have a better chance of boosting their rankings and attracting more visitors.

Step 2: Check If Your Current Content is Targeting a Potential Keyword

Now, you want to make sure that your current content is targeting a potential keyword that can really give it a boost.

You want to target a keyword that gets a decent search volume, meaning that a good number of people are searching for it.

You also want to consider the competition. Too much competition can make it harder for your content to rank higher in search results.

You want to make sure that your content is not targeting a keyword that already has too many backlinks pointing to it.

To see how the main keyword performs, I normally use SemRush, you can use any keyword research tool out there, they do the same thing.

Here's how I do it:

1. Look for the "Keyword Overview" tab and click on it.

Enter your content's main keyword in the search bar. Let's say you're writing about "delicious cupcakes" - type it in and hit enter.

SemRush will show you the search volume and which sites are ranking in the top 10, providing detailed information about the backlinks each page receives.

This helps you gauge the keyword's performance and understand the level of competition you may face.

If your keyword looks promising based on the search volume and competition analysis, then it's time to move on to the next step.

Step 3: Check if Your Content Matches the Search Intent

You need to check if your current content matches the search intent. If it doesn't, no matter how many times you update your page, it will never rank.

You need to check if your current content matches the search intent. If it doesn't t, your page may struggle to rank.

Search intent tells us what people are looking for when they type something into search engines like Google.

Understanding and matching search intent is like speaking the language of your audience. It's about giving them what they're looking for and satisfying their needs.

There are different types of search intent, such as:

1. Informational: The user is looking for information on a particular topic.
   • Examples: "How to bake a cake," "What is the capital of France?"
2. Commercial: The user is looking to research a product or service before making a purchase.
   • Examples: "Best laptop for graphic design," "Reviews of iPhone 12."
3. Navigational: The user is looking for a specific website or webpage.
   • Examples: "Facebook login page," "Twitter homepage."
4. Transactional: The user is looking to make a purchase or take a specific action.
   • Examples: "Buy iPhone 12," "Sign up for Netflix."

For instance, let's say you want to rank for the keyword "vegan makeup."

Based on the search results, you can instantly tell that you need to write your content specifically about "vegan makeup brands." (Commercial)

It's important to focus on the exact topic that matches the search intent, rather than writing about something like "What is vegan makeup" or "An ultimate guide to vegan makeup." (Informational)

When you can feel confident that content aligns with the search intent, it's time to move on to the next step.

Step 4: Do a Competitor Analysis

When I talk about competitors, I mean other websites that are ranking well in the SERPs.

It's always a good idea to take a peek at what they're doing and see if there's anything they have that you don't.

Do they include real images, engaging videos, or personal experience in their content?

Note down anything that catches your attention.

Don't worry, it's not about copying them, but rather learning from their strategies and finding ways to improve your content.

Also, see which websites are linking to your competitors and consider reaching out to those websites for potential collaborations or guest posting opportunities.

Step 5: Find out additional keywords to add to your existing content

This time, we'll uncover additional keywords that are already ranking to boost your existing content.

To find these additional keywords, I personally use two helpful tools, which are FREE. One of them is Google Search Console.

You can also use a handy WordPress plugin called Query Hunter. It extracts your keywords directly from Google Search Console and shows them right on your WordPress editor, so you don't have to switch between different platforms when writing.

These tools help you find related keywords that are similar to the ones you're already targeting. By adding these additional keywords to your existing content, you can expand your reach and attract even more visitors.

Step 6: Update and optimize your content for SEO

It's time to give your content the extra sparkle it needs to shine bright in search engine results.

First, take a good look at the content on your page. Read through it and see if there are any outdated information or areas that could use some improvement. If there is information that is no longer accurate, delete it.

Keep your readers in mind and make sure your content is clear, helpful, and engaging.

Along with adding keywords you've found in GSC in the previous step, you can use awesome tools like Surfer SEO or NeuronWriter for SEO optimization. These on-page optimization tools analyze your content and suggest ways to improve it.

They provide insights on keywords, headings, and other elements that can make your content more search engine friendly.

Don't forget about internal links! You can use a WordPress plugin called "Link Whisper" to find out if there is an opportunity for you to add more internal links to your content.

Adding internal links to related content can help search engines understand the structure of your site and make it easier for visitors to navigate.

Oh, also, if it's necessary, add more images to your content. It's even better if you can use your own real images to make it unique!

Images not only make your content more visually appealing but can also be optimized for SEO.

Add descriptive file names, alt text, and captions that relate to your content. It helps search engines understand what your images are about and can improve your overall visibility.

If you have any exciting product updates or personal experiences to share, go ahead and sprinkle them into your content. Adding your own unique touch can help build more trust and make your content stand out.

Step 7: Republish your old content and resubmit it to Google Search Console

Once you've made changes and improvements to your content, it's time to republish them.

Change the date of your content to today when you republish it. 

I used to update my content by simply hitting the "Update" button and hoping for the best.

But for a long time, I didn't see much happening.

However, once I changed the date and republished it, the results started to show. It's incredible how a SMALL tweak can make a BIG difference in the visibility and performance of your content. 

Also, if you want Google to index your updated content faster, resubmit it to Google Search Console.

If you have changed your URLs, make sure to set up redirects before republishing your content.

Step 8: Run A Content Audit (Optional)

This is an optional step, but it can be really helpful. After republishing content, it's a good idea to go through a content audit using a tool like Surfer SEO.

 This will help you identify any areas where your content could be improved such as meta description length and images,.. and give you a better idea of what changes you need to make to improve your search engine rankings.

Step 9: Monitor the results

We've made it to the final step in updating your old blog posts. Now, it's time to monitor the results of your hard work.

Let's see how your changes are making an impact!

After you republish and resubmit your updated content, it's important to give it some time to work its magic.

Wait for around 1-2 weeks and keep a close eye on the results. You'll start seeing changes in how your content performs in search engine rankings.

To make the monitoring process easier, you can use a helpful plugin called Rank Logic. It keeps track of your keyword rankings and provides valuable insights into how your content is performing over a specific time frame.

Now you have it! 

This is the complete A to Z guide on how I update my content and achieve real results.

Why You Should Update Your Website Content?

Updating your website content is crucial for several reasons.

• Firstly, it enhances your content marketing efforts by keeping your website fresh and engaging.
• Secondly, it ensures that your content remains relevant to evolving trends and your audience's needs.
• Thirdly, updating your content is like caring for a garden, nurturing your website for ongoing success.
• Lastly, it allows for improvements in user experience, making navigation easier and enhancing visitor satisfaction.

When Should You Update Content On Your Website?

But how do you know when to refresh your content? Here are some tips:

• If your information is out of date or no longer true, you should update it.
• If you see in Google Analytics that people are not visiting your website as much as before, you may need to refresh your content to get them interested again.
• If you notice that your content is dropping in ranking, it may be time to update it with new information or better keywords.

Remember, refreshing your content is an important part of your website. Keep it up to date and interesting, and people will keep coming back for more!

Is Updating Old Content More Important Than New Content?

When it comes to digital marketing, creating new content is super important. But did you know that updating your old content is just as important?

Even if your site has been around for a while, you can still make it better by updating every page.

Why is it essential if you want your website to do well? Here are some reasons:

• You can make it more accurate and up-to-date. This can help your website look more trustworthy to visitors.
• You can make it more interesting and engaging. This can help visitors stay on your website longer and keep coming back for more.
• You can improve your website's search engine rankings. This means that more people will be able to find your website when they search for things online.

So, is updating old content more important than new content? It's hard to say, but both are super important for your website's success. Keep creating new content, but don't forget to update your old content too!

Final Thoughts

Updating your website content is an important step to keep your website fresh and interesting for your visitors. By following the steps I've outlined in this article, you can learn how to update website content like a pro! 

Remember to start by analyzing your current content, then make a plan to update and optimize it for search engines.

Don't forget to add new images and videos to make your content more engaging, and run a content audit to make sure your content is as optimized as possible.

With these simple tips, you'll be able to keep your website up-to-date and attract more visitors to your site.