Good Bones
My family moved into a new home in 2021.
A few weeks ago, we finally got around to painting the walls and trim throughout the entire downstairs. (We went with "Paper White" by Benjamin Moore.)
The new color completely transformed the feel of the space. It's bright, crisp and modern.
We undertook these cosmetic updates because our home has a strong foundation and is structurally sound. Or, as a realtor would say, it has "good bones."
It would be foolish to worry about paint color if we had a huge crack in the foundation or a leaky roof.
A website is no different.
If your website has good bones, a cosmetic update can give you a fresh look and feel. This may include new colors, fonts, or a general visual refresh.
A website with good bones:
- Loads quickly and is mobile-friendly
- Has up-to-date software and security
- Has proper Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Has tools in place to track visitors (like Google Analytics)
- Meets current guidelines for accessibility
But if your website doesn't have a strong foundation, you should focus on fixing those issues before you worry about cosmetic updates.
How do you know if your website has good bones?
If you want to do it yourself, SEOptimer is a free online tool that runs a fairly comprehensive audit of your website.
If you'd prefer an expert review, I offer a Website Audit Service. You'll get a detailed report of my findings, an action list, and a 15-minute video walkthrough of my recommendations. Learn more and schedule your audit here.
If you want to discuss some cosmetic website updates, we can do that too! Click here to schedule a free call.
Thanks for reading, I wish you all the best for 2025!
PS - Good Bones is also the title of a favorite poem of mine. A dark—yet hopeful—verse by Maggie Smith.