Our world is constantly changing. Only a few months ago, your citizens could walk into your office and get the information they need. Now, all it takes is a search on the internet and citizens can get the information they want from your website. But what happens when they find outdated information and broken links?  From dissatisfied customers to increased customer service calls, outdated website content can be far from reaching its impacts. So how can you fix this? A website audit should be your first stop.

Why do an audit?

A website audit is an in-depth scan of your websites content, navigational structure and overall functionality. Doing an audit periodically is important to keep your content fresh and up-to-date so it can continue to be a helpful resource to your citizens. But an audit also helps unveil who your content is not reaching, what your people need most, and what your overall goals are as an organization.

How often should an audit be done?

To have a website that speaks effectively to your stakeholders, it’s best that website audits be performed on a weekly to monthly basis. The more often you monitor your website, the more prepared and successfully reactive you will be to manage any type of situation, including emergencies.

Content is key

When auditing your website, content is the core element that makes or breaks your connection with your stakeholders. Is your content up to date? Is it written in a way that makes it easy for people to find and understand? Many aspects of great content include short and concise text, plain and accessible language and tagging. Your website is the communication platform that will help build your community, especially when it is your only way to communicate with your citizens.

As technology progresses, adapting your content to new ways of communicating with your citizens will help build goals for your content. When you set these goals, it allows you to continue tailoring your website content to your community’s needs for the best engagement with your citizens.

Be adaptive and stay current

The other important part of your audit is to scan the accessibility of your website. Routine audits will help you stay on top of accessibility requirements and legislation, making it easier to communicate with your citizens. Without alternate ways to provide content in-person, are your online documents, forms and information fully accessible? An audit can help shed light on areas of your website that aren’t accessible.

For example, consider that online forms, even fillable PDF forms, may not be accessible to everybody. As you assess your website for areas that need improvement, our document remediation services can offer accessible formats for PDFs, HTML, Microsoft Office documents, Adobe Acrobat, InDesign and Illustrator materials, and even fillable forms. To keep up with the digital future, our Form Builder solution with secure signatures integrations will accelerate your business transactions and make services easier for your citizens.

The deadline for the January 1, 2021 AODA accessibility legislation is drawing near. Don’t wait until the last minute. Make your services accessible now and deliver messages that engage your citizens so your organization can experience success and gain better trust from your community.

Experience the results of a good audit and let us help you set your organization up to reap the benefits for the technology of today and tomorrow.

Have questions about your organization’s content or need help building your content?  Contact us at today.