How many times have you visited a website only to discover it had not been updated in six months or even a year? How is a reader supposed to know you’re still writing if you don’t refresh your pages now and again? The mere existence of a website doesn’t cut the mustard with an eager or inquisitive reader.

Any reader who visits your website wants recent information. They also want to return a week later and see more news has been added. Why? Because you wouldn’t go to a grocery store week after week if you thought for one instant their stock had not been upgraded or they ran the same sales week in and week out.

It’s all about creativity. Constantly changing your content will bring visitors back to your site. The article, 10 Website Essentials to Increase Your Sales, which you can read here, provides a list of excellent pointers, one of which is providing your visitors with fresh content on a continual basis.

Here are some other helpful ideas to keep your website fresh:

Add polls. 

Ask your readers what they think about something that’s important to you, or just ask them to vote for their favorite cover of yours. Post the winning cover on the front page of your website as a Reader Favorite. It’s a great way to keep visitors involved. Check out Leigh Bardugo’s website to see how she uses polls and quizzes.

Add Twitter.

If it works for you, integrate your Twitter on your website so your updates are visible. If all you have time to do is update your Twitter, at least you’ve made a minimal change to your website.

Keep a blog. 

Even if you only post weekly, you can always update the front page of your website to let visitors know you’ve just recently updated your blog. Austin Kleon built his website around his blog so the second he updates it, his site looks fresh and new.

Add a second Twitter. 

Another idea is to set up a separate Twitter account wherein you can include tips for something you’re interested in such as researching history or watching crime documentaries. Integrate that account separate from your other account. If you constantly keep the tips or comments flowing, there will always be something new for visitors to read.

Add reviews. 

Even if you haven’t had a new release within the last six months, you can still find ways to keep your backlist current by posting reviews as they come in. (Every website should have a News section.) Add testimonials. If you don’t have any, what’s stopping you from sending that book out for some?

Add your freelance work. 

If you’ve had articles published, consider adding them to your website as a separate page and link back to where they are published. If you’re continually publishing articles, this gives you something to add continually. I do this with my own website.

Add miscellaneous options. 

Have you considered Word of the Day or This Day in History? The Free Dictionary.com also provides other free items you can include such Word of the Day, Article of the Day, and a Daily Grammar Lesson.

Michael Grumley had the great idea to put a progress tracker on his website so everyone can see how long they have to wait until he finishes his next book, and Veronica Roth has a unique news section on the front page of her website.

The best point in keeping your website current is to make sure it’s interesting and will make someone want to return for another look!

BIO: As well as being a published author of fiction, Rachel Carrington is also a nonfiction writer and has written for the New York Times, Startrek.com, The Writer, and many others. She is also the site expert for Red Shirts Always Die and a contributor to Culturess. You can visit her on the web at www.rachelcarrington.com and on Instagram @rcarrington2004