Over the last week, I’ve been asking just about everyone I run into, “What is the biggest challenge you face in having a website that helps you achieve your mission online.”
You know what the #1 response I’ve been hearing is?
Keeping my website up to date.
I understand… We are all busy, and updating the website often seems like a thankless job that doesn’t seem to move us closer towards accomplishing our God-given mission.
It kind of reminds me of changing diapers.
Websites are like diapers – if you don’t change them regularly they start to stink.
I have 3 children. My youngest is now 7, so it’s been a few years since I’ve changed a diaper. But I can tell you … there’s only one thing worse than changing a stinky diaper… not changing it.
Right?
Similarly, I don’t know many people really enjoy updating a website. But it’s better than the alternative – a website that has out of date, inaccurate content, which results in the following:
- Gives a poor impression to first time visitors
- Frustrates regulars who are trying to get the info they need to participate
- Hinders your organization from achieving its mission
That stinks!
Websites are like diapers – changing them stinks, but your baby won’t thrive without it.
While I would never call changing dirty diapers a pleasant experience, it didn’t take long for me to get to where I didn’t really mind it. How is that possible?
Changing a diaper is not about the diaper; it’s about the baby.
I love my children. I don’t want them to have rashes or be unnecessarily uncomfortable. I want them to be healthy and thrive.
I also want to be a team player and not try to leave all the “dirty work” to my wife.
The same is true about people who are content updating their organization’s website. They don’t necessarily find the experience itself pleasant, but they see the big picture.
They love their church, school, ministry or business. They want to see it healthy and thriving.
What do you think?
- Do you have a difficult time updating your website because you don’t enjoy it?
- Does it help to think of the big picture – that its an essential part of helping your “baby” to be healthy and thriving?
3 Comments
A website need to be updated on a regular basis, irrespective what you sell. A lowly ranked website will hugely reduce your online sales. It is always important to analyze your website with regard to content updation, site navigation and other important features.
Although a funny title, but it is a bitter reality. I have been working as UX designer and its really important update your site frequently and to add latest features so one can stay up with his competitors. I see many Church sites as not updated and they are almost dead. One should work on these too, to provide correct information on these sites.
My answer is one must work in something that he/she really takes interests in. This is how one can put efforts to change diapers frequently.
WOW! Cool page Paul 🙂 I didn’t find this post before, amazing! 🙂 Yes our websites are like baby, we should take care of them 🙂