A few weeks ago I went to a class of an amazing yoga teacher. I loved her teaching style and later went online to learn more about her. I found her website and an amazing mini retreat that she was offering, I was so excited!

But when I tried to send her an email through the web form on her contact page to learn more about it, I got an error message. Oups! I didn’t have the time to look for other options to get in touch, and then I forgot all about it. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one having this problem and it’s a real shame.

The saddest part? She probably has NO idea this is even going on because she probably hasn’t peeked at her own contact form in a long time. Plus, it’s basically impossible for people to notify her even if they wanted to. Nobody can send her a freaking email!

Things like this happen much more often then you might think. I’m here today to tell you: If you haven’t checked your website out lately… you definitely should.

The reality is, no matter how talented you are, if things on your website don’t work properly, potential clients are going to feel uneasy about whipping out their credit card to book a space on your retreats or buy a service from you. (Wouldn’t you feel the same?)

It’s time to take a thorough tour of your own website so that you can spot the places that need to be fixed, updated or spruced up!

Behold you’ll find five key areas to evaluate.

Simply try to pretend you’re a potential client visiting your website for the first time, exploring your offerings and clicking around.

1. Is it easy to get in touch with you?

Is it easy to contact you – or painful?

Is your contact information prominently featured on your website?

If you are a local yoga teacher or studio, do you include your actual location so people can find you?

Does the email address or contact form on your website actually work? Test it to make sure, plus have somebody else test it too.

2. Are all your links working?

Test the navigation tabs on your website (HOME, ABOUT, CONTACT, etc.). Do they all go where they are supposed to go?

Click all of the links on your main website pages. Do they go where they are supposed to go?

Click all of the promotion boxes and banners on your website pages. Do they go where they are supposed to go?

Is anything out of date or inaccurate?

3. Can people sign up to your mailing list?

Sign up for your own mailing list. Even better – have somebody else do it while you watch over his or her shoulder like a hawk.

What happens at every step?

Do new subscribers get directed to a “thank you” page and/or receive an email auto- responder? Is all of the info still up to date?

If you offer a “thank you for subscribing” freebie, is that freebie still relevant to the work you’re doing today — or is it time to freshen it up? (Click here if you want to learn more on how to create a freebie.)

4. Is your bio up to date and engaging?

Is the content on your ABOUT page up to date – or is it missing your latest trainings, current projects, awards, media recognition or other bits of info that might be relevant to your visitors?

Is your story just about you? Or are you sharing HOW you can help your potential students and what they can expect from you too?

What about your photos on your ABOUT page or anywhere else on your website. Are those still fresh and accurate? Or is it time for some new shots?

5. Have a look at your blog and content

It’s time to browse your blog archives, videos, workshops, or whatever content you share on your website.

Do you spot things that are outdated? Things that don’t really fit into the direction you’re taking your yoga biz? Or that you’re no longer proud of? It’s time to dump those. Clear away what no longer feels like “you”.

It’s like going through your closet to purge items that make you go, “What was I thinking??!” Make sure that only “the best of the best” stays on your website.

6. If you sell things on your website – test your purchasing process

Purchase one of your own products or services and track every single step in the process.

Is everything working?

Is your “thank you for purchasing” confirmation email up to date?

If you sell digital products, do the download links work?

Are there any products currently listed that shouldn’t be there anymore?

7. And finally: what are you feeling?

As you take a tour through your own website, the MOST important question to ask yourself, is: How does this make me feel?

If certain areas give you a heavy, sinking feeling – pay attention to that.

If even looking at your website makes you wanna cry – take notice.

If something doesn’t feel good, triggers resentment, or just feels “off,” then it’s important to dig into that and make whatever adjustments you need to make to get back into your happy place.

What happens next:

Have you finished your check-up? I’m proud of you! Now, before you sink into a mud-hole of despair, I want you to break up your list of things that you need to do into two chunks: one for immediate action and one for… whenever you get around to it.

Start with three things that you are able to fix right away – and then get them done. Ticking those things off from your list will give you the push to tackle some of those more complicated problems.