Do you love your website as much as you love your car?

How many people own a car, but leave it parked on the driveway from week to week, month to month, all year long, doing very little?

A larger number than you might first think I would guess. An unused car is not free either, with the cost of insurance and tax mandatory each year.

Websites can be a bit like this too. Many business owners will say they have a website. A large proportion of these will however, just have their site 'parked on the drive' doing nothing, from year to year. The content is often out dated and no longer relevant. More importantly, it's not promoting the business effectively, bringing new enquiries, or generating any income.

At the very least a car needs its engine turned over and taken out for a spin. The benefits are not only for the car, but for the car owner too. Getting behind the wheel can be empowering, fun and exhilarating.

Likewise, many people will be surprised at how a fresh look at a website will help you keep on top of your online presence. If you haven't looked at the content of your site for 3 months or more, then take it for a spin. Put your site through all the gears. Check all the pages, one at a time. Is the home page inviting? Will a visitor want to know more about your business? Are the contact details up to date? Do you know even how many people have looked at your site? So if your website is due an MOT, here is a simple check list to help pass the test;

• Does the site display your company logo?
• Does the home page convey the principal message of your business?
• Does your website have metatags?
• Have you added any new services which are not listed on your site?
• Does any date or price sensitive copy need updating?
• Do you have a quick link from your home page to your contact information?

Of course there is much much more you can do, but this is a start. A car parked on the drive will of course avoid any traffic which might not be a bad thing. Indeed there can be better ways to get about these days. But if on the other hand, you want to increase traffic to your website, then at the very least make sure it is up to date!