5 things to do the week you get a new website

You just got a new website. It looks good, the phone number works, and the pages load fast. Now what? Here are five things to do in the first week so the site starts working for you.

1. Send it to five people you trust

Text or email the link to five people — a friend, a family member, a regular customer. Ask them to open it on their phone, tap the call button, and tell you if anything looks off. Fresh eyes catch things you won't.

2. Put the link on your Google Business Profile

Log in at business.google.com and add your website address. This is the link that shows up when people find you on Google Maps. While you're there, make sure your hours and phone number match what's on the site.

3. Update your social media links

Change the website link in your Facebook page, Instagram bio, and anywhere else you show up online. Old links that go nowhere make your business look closed.

4. Ask your next happy customer for a review

After a job goes well, ask the customer to leave a Google review. One real review does more than a dozen stock photos. When it shows up, you can add it to your site too — word for word, with their name and the date.

5. Check it once a month

Set a reminder to look at your site on the first of every month. Open it on your phone, tap the call button, check the hours. If something changed in your business — a new service, new hours, a new phone number — update the site. A site with last year's hours tells customers you're not paying attention.