Don’t forget to update your website footer for the new year

But why is this important?

1. Copyright and Legal Compliance:

Many websites include a copyright notice in the footer, indicating the year the content was created or last updated. Keeping this date current helps demonstrate that the website owner is actively managing and maintaining the site. In some jurisdictions, this can be relevant for legal reasons.

2. User Trust and Relevance:

An outdated copyright date or a date that is significantly in the past can make the website appear neglected or abandoned. Users may question the reliability and relevance of the information on the site if it seems outdated.

3. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO):

Search engines may consider the freshness of content as a ranking factor. While updating the copyright date alone may not have a significant impact on SEO, it contributes to an overall impression of a regularly updated and maintained website, which can positively influence search rankings.

4. Professionalism:

A current date in the footer gives the impression of a well-maintained and up-to-date website. It reflects positively on the professionalism and credibility of the site, which can be crucial for businesses and organisations.

5. Policy Updates:

If your website has terms of service, privacy policies, or other legal documents, these may be subject to change over time. Updating the date in the footer can signal to users that they should review these policies for any updates. If you have added or changed software on your website such as analytics or click-tracking software this is important to include.