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The WP Minute brings you news about WordPress in under 5 minutes -- every week! Follow The WP Minute for the WordPress headlines before you get lost in the headlines. Hosted by Matt Medeiros, host of The Matt Report podcast.
Eric Karkovack (00:00)
Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of the WP Minute. I'm your host, Eric Karkovack. Today's topic is all about finding hidden opportunities in your business. Specifically, I'm talking about your legacy WordPress clients. You know, the ones with older websites that you never hear from. I believe there's some untapped potential in these existing client relationships. So, without further ado, let's get started.
Eric Karkovack (00:33)
Don't forget your legacy WordPress clients. As freelancers, we tend to focus on what's in front of us. We finish one project and move on to the next one. It seems like there's never enough time to look back. Don't get me wrong. I update every WordPress install that I maintain. I don't let the core software, theme, or plugins fall behind. I also run daily site backups, just in case. However, it's easy to forget what else these sites have to offer.
The older they are, the more likely we are to ignore them. That's a shame, as we may fail to recognize their untapped potential. The same can be said about our clients. Their website may be old, but that doesn't mean your relationship with them should become stale. Yet, we let this happen all too often. Let's change the narrative by strengthening relationships and bringing new life to legacy websites. Along the way, we'll increase revenue
and create a more reliable workload for your business.
Eric Karkovack (01:42)
Look for opportunities to improve your clients' It's no secret that web technologies move quickly. A website you built even two or three years ago is likely behind the curve. Thus, you shouldn't have to look far to find areas needing improvement. A site in need of a redesign is the elephant in the room. These sites are characterized as needing more than simple upgrades and bug fixes. Starting from scratch is usually the best option for you and your clients.
They'll get a great new website and you'll gain experience and boost your bottom line. But what about websites that aren't ready for a redesign? You'll find plenty of opportunities if you know where to look. Here are a few of the most common issues facing legacy WordPress websites.
PHP compatibility. Older websites may run on an outdated version of PHP. However, upgrading isn't always a straightforward process. It requires testing to identify any problematic code that needs to be fixed. Accessibility. A website's accessibility can deteriorate over time. Images might be missing alt attributes, colors may not have an acceptable contrast ratio, and fonts may be difficult to read.
Every website can benefit from a routine audit.
Performance. Perhaps you optimized the website for peak performance before launch. That's likely to regress as plugins and media are added. The site's database may also start to lag. You can restore page speed to its former glory by testing and tweaking. Security. There may be security issues right under your nose. Sites with abandoned plugins, weak passwords, or incorrect file permissions are a disaster waiting to happen.
Correcting these issues and adding secure features can make all the difference. You're likely to find at least one of the issues above during a website audit. It's valuable information and is worth sharing with your client. New features are also worth considering. Anything that enhances the user experience or improves sales or conversions could be a winner.
Eric Karkovack (04:05)
Reach out with a suggestion or two. Our client relationships may become stale simply because we have no reason to connect. If their website is running fine and they don't have any changes, a client can fall out of touch. And who are we to rock the boat? I took this approach for many years. I only contacted clients if they needed something or if there was an upcoming service renewal. It feels like the easiest path during busy times. Besides,
Being an anti-sales person is a core tenet of my business. I don't like selling people things they don't need, and I don't want to bombard clients with communication. However, I realize that there's a cost to silence. First, there's a negative impact on a website's health. There's also the possibility that a client will look for help elsewhere without consulting you. Silence works both ways. It's possible to stay in contact without being pushy.
These days, I reach out to clients when I see an opportunity to improve their website and avoid future issues. It's been well received and even appreciated. It's also easier than you think. Review the websites you manage and identify their needs. Then send a friendly message to your client explaining the issue and your proposed solution. The process is quick and can lead to positive results. You'll reconnect with your client
and possibly add a project to your to-do list.
Eric Karkovack (05:42)
Make your long-time clients a priority. We all enjoy booking new projects and the benefits that come with them. But finding new clients isn't always sustainable. Freelancers and agencies need other sources of income. That's why improving the existing sites you manage is so attractive. You'll work with established clients who know and trust you. You won't have to spend hours searching and bidding for new gigs. The opportunities are right in front of you.
It's also a way to protect yourself from slow periods at work. Rehabilitating legacy websites can help you fill gaps in your schedule and your revenue stream. The best part is that you'll stay engaged with your clients. It keeps you in their mind when a future need arises. So don't forget about your existing clients in the quest to grow your business. They can be a key to your future success.
Eric Karkovack (06:37)
All right, that's our episode. I hope it inspires you to reach out to your longtime clients and help them improve their website. I'd also love to hear your feedback. So connect with me on Blue Sky at Carx88, that's K-A-R-K-S-8-8, or find me on LinkedIn. And be sure to subscribe to our newsletter over at thewpminute.com slash subscribe. There you can become a member and support the work we do here at the WP Minute.
Thanks for being here and I'll see you next time.