You may not have noticed, but it’s 2011. So why does the copyright notice on your website say 2008? Maybe you’ve ignored it because it’s so small and down at the bottom of the site. Maybe it just feels natural, since that’s the last time you redesigned the site. The thing is, that outdated copyright makes the world think that you’ve been out to lunch for the past 3 years. It’s like a flashing sign that says “we don’t look in the mirror before we leave the house in the morning.”
In this day and age, you need to reassure people that you’re on top of your game, down to the smallest details. That’s even more true if you are an advertising, marketing or design agency (shockingly, some of the common offenders). Go check your copyright right now. If it doesn’t read "©2011", you have two choices: either make it read "©2011", or make it read "©2008-2011". Heck, if your site is built on a server technology like PHP, .NET or ColdFusion, you can even add code that will always show the current year. If you can’t do that, then put an annual reminder on your calendar for the first week in January.
Remember, people will notice the little stain much more than the $300 shirt that it’s on, so respect the small details and greet the world looking your sharpest.