Let’s be honest — websites get messy. Broken links, slow loading pages, confusing navigation… these problems creep in quietly. Over time, they pile up. Suddenly your site isn’t performing like it used to. Bad news for your users. Worse news for your SEO!
But what if you could fix issues before they become disasters? That’s what Quarterly “Fix the Basics” Weeks do. Every few months, take a short, focused timeout to tackle the basics — the small things that make a big difference. 🧹✨
Why “Fix the Basics” Weeks Work
Instead of one giant, overwhelming cleanup each year, your team handles smaller problems regularly. Think of it like brushing your teeth vs. waiting until you need a root canal.
Here’s why they’re genius:
- Quick wins. Small tasks = fast results.
- Consistency. Search engines and visitors love a tidy site.
- Team alignment. Everyone focuses on the same goal for one week.
- Better UX. A smoother experience keeps users coming back.
And the best part? You don’t need fancy tools or a huge budget. Just a plan and a few team members ready to roll up their sleeves.
When Should You Do It?
Pick a week every 3 months. Mark it on the calendar. Announce it in your team meetings. Build a little buzz!
Many companies choose:
- The first week of each new quarter
- A quiet week with fewer scheduled projects
- Right before a new product launch (to make sure everything’s sharp)
Pro tip: Don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on key areas. Choose one or two themes per quarter.
What to Focus On Each Quarter
Rotating your focus areas keeps things fresh and covers your bases. Here’s an easy-to-follow quarterly rotation example:
Q1: Site Speed & Core Web Vitals
Start the year strong by supercharging your site speed. Google uses loading times and performance stats in rankings. Users expect pages to load in under 3 seconds.
Fix tasks like:
- Compressing images
- Reducing unused CSS and JavaScript
- Implementing lazy-load for videos and images
- Use a site speed tool to spot slow pages
Faster sites = higher rankings + happier users.
Q2: Content Cleanup & Internal Link Fixes
Next, show your content some love. Over time, articles get outdated. Internal links break. That hurts your SEO and annoys visitors looking for accurate info.
This quarter, focus on tasks like:
- Updating outdated content (prices, references, features)
- Fixing or removing broken links
- Improving headlines for clarity and clicks
- Adding helpful internal links
Think of your site like a museum — everything on display should be top-notch.
Q3: Mobile Usability Check
More than half of users browse on their phones. If your site feels clumsy on mobile, people bounce fast. And Google notices.
In this quarter, test your site from a phone and ask:
- Are buttons big enough to tap?
- Is text readable without zooming?
- Does the menu work smoothly?
- Do forms work properly on small screens?
You can also use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test for guidance.
Q4: Accessibility & Technical SEO
Wrap the year by focusing on making your site better for everyone (including search engines). Small tweaks here can make a world of difference.
Things to check:
- Using alt text for all important images
- Labeling form elements correctly
- Ensuring color contrast is readable
- Fixing missing meta titles or duplicate metas
Better accessibility isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s good for business and SEO.
How to Run a “Fix the Basics” Week
Okay, you’re excited. You’ve picked your theme. Here’s how to keep it fun, focused, and productive:
Step 1: Assign a Week Captain
Pick someone to lead the charge. They’ll:
- Create a task checklist
- Divide tasks among the team
- Track progress each day
- Celebrate wins on Friday!
This person isn’t doing all the work — they’re just your cleanup cheerleader.
Step 2: Create a Task List
Keep it short and sweet. Aim for 10–20 small tasks your team can finish in a week.
Examples:
- Fix 25 broken internal links
- Add meta descriptions to all blog posts
- Improve mobile styling on top 10 pages
Use a shared checklist or project board so everyone can pitch in.
Step 3: Document Before/After
Take notes or screenshots before fixing things, and after. This lets you show real progress!
- Track page speed improvements
- Note increases in PageSpeed or Core Web Vitals scores
- Log fixed links or improved copy
Share these outcomes in your end-of-week meeting. 🎉
Step 4: Keep It FUN
Make your Fix the Basics Week something your team looks forward to:
- Add silly names: “Bug Zapper Week”, “Speedy Spring Clean”, “404 Fiesta”
- Have a leaderboard of most bugs squashed
- Reward the biggest UX win with a coffee gift card
- Wrap up with screenshots of your favorite fixes
Remember: small improvements make big impacts. Celebrate those!
FAQs About “Fix the Basics” Weeks
Do we need developers to join?
Not necessarily. Many tasks — like fixing links, updating content, or checking mobile views — can be handled by content or marketing teams. But having a dev on standby helps with trickier fixes.
How long should the week be?
Normally, it’s 4–5 days of focused effort. Some teams spread it lightly over two weeks if it’s easier to manage with their schedule.
What tools should I use?
- PageSpeed Insights – for speed and Core Web Vitals
- Google Mobile-Friendly Test
- Ahrefs Broken Link Checker
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Use whatever helps your team spot issues and track improvements.
Start Your Own “Fix the Basics” Tradition
Quarterly Fix the Basics Weeks aren’t just helpful — they’re empowering. You don’t have to wait until your site is in crisis. You can take control, little by little.
Make it a ritual. Give it a catchy name. Watch your site get cleaner and stronger every quarter. Your users will love it. Google will love it. And your future self will give you a big high five. 👏
Time to mark your calendar. Basic doesn’t mean boring — it means better.
