When’s the Last Time You Updated Your Website?
It had been a while since I’d touched my website, but I was finally inspired to do so after attending Nate Hoffelder’s session on editor websites at the ACES 2021 Online conference. Nate also recently hosted an #ACESchat on “Taking Your Editor Website to the Next Level.”
By the way, ACES also recently had a Twitter chat on websites that’s broader: “Wrangling web content: What editors need to know” hosted by Joan Passarelli. ACES explained the topic as “editing web content vs. non-web content, organizing content on a website, and using (and re-using) content.” This #ACESchat reminded me more of when I’ve worked on web content on staff.
Why Bother?
Two reasons to update a website that came up during the conference session and Twitter chat:
People notice if your website looks out-of-date — and an out-of-date website can imply an out-of-date organization or freelancer.
It’s significantly easier to make small changes regularly than big changes once every few years (anyone who’s been on staff during a website redesign I’m sure can relate).
A colorful website on a laptop screen. Photo by NordWood Themes on Unsplash
Updating the Basics
My homepage got the most love. I revised the wording, added some testimonials, and moved the text around. I expanded the services page with more information about what each service entails. And I added some new testimonials — thank you to my clients who provided their very kind words!
Adding New Content
One change that felt like a curveball was to add a page about my creative writing. I also write poetry, fiction, and nonfiction, and I don’t have a separate author website. When I submit writing to literary journals, I don’t have a URL to find more of my work, and that’s a problem. I debated whether to make a separate website or add a page to a website that I already have.
Do you think it works to have a creative writing page on an editorial website? Let me know at megan@meganstolzeditorial.com.
We Meet Again, Blog
And, likely the most obvious change (thanks to the timestamps), is that I finally resurrected the blog. I’m blaming the pandemic on my lack of content in that area, but that’s probably just an excuse. I restarted with a post on “How Tutoring at Writing Centers Trained Me for Editing.”
What’s one thing you would change about your website? What feedback do you have on my refreshed website? Share your thoughts at megan@meganstolzeditorial.com!