This is a complete guide to website maintenance services in 2024.
If you own a website for your business, you must understand how to maintain it. This blog offers a complete overview of website maintenance services.
Let’s dive right in.
Contents
- What is website maintenance?
- What does the website maintenance include?
- What Is the Difference Between Web Development and Website Management?
- What are the elements of website management?
- What are the best practices and tips for WordPress website maintenance?
- What does a website manager do?
- Why does a website need maintenance?
- Common Website Maintenance Challenges and Solutions
- How does website maintenance help grow a business?
- Options for Website Maintenance
- Who provides a low-cost website maintenance service?
- What’s a good website maintenance agency?
- Advantages of Hiring a Professional Agency for Website Maintenance
- Common Misconceptions about Website Maintenance
Imagine you have a brand new car fresh off the dealership lot. It’s shiny, runs smoothly, and has that wonderful new car smell.
At first, everything looks and feels perfect.
However, what do you think will happen if you need to change the oil, rotate the tires, and provide the necessary maintenance?
Over time, the once-pristine vehicle will start to deteriorate. The engine will lose its efficiency and power if the oil isn’t changed regularly. Neglecting tire rotations will cause uneven wear, potentially leading to blowouts or accidents. The exterior paint will fade, and the interior will show signs of aging from a lack of care and cleaning.
A vehicle requires consistent upkeep to ensure its longevity, performance, and overall condition. Neglecting routine maintenance tasks will inevitably lead to breakdowns, costly repairs, and a significantly reduced lifespan for your car.
With a website, it works similarly. When you first launch it, everything looks fresh, modern, and shiny. The content is up-to-date, the links work seamlessly, and the design is visually appealing. However, if you fail to maintain your website regularly, it will slowly start to break down.
At first, there may be a few old images that need to be updated or a few broken links here and there. These may seem like minor issues, but if addressed, they can snowball into bigger problems. Over time, entire sections of your website might become overflowing with error messages, making it frustrating for visitors to navigate. Your once-engaging blog could become dull and irrelevant, with no new content added for months or even years.
Just like the neglected maintenance of a car, an unmaintained website will lose its appeal, functionality, and overall health. Visitors will quickly notice the lack of care and may perceive your business as outdated or unreliable. Ultimately, this can lead to a decline in website traffic, lost opportunities, and a damaged online reputation.
Did you know?
88.5% of survey respondents say that a slow site speed is the main reason that visitors choose to leave a website
GoodFirms
What is Website Maintenance?
“Website maintenance encompasses the ongoing process of monitoring, updating, and optimizing a website to ensure its smooth operation, relevance, and optimal performance. This includes regularly checking for issues, updating content, monitoring performance metrics, performing necessary tasks, and fixing any errors to keep the website functioning effectively and up to date.”
What Does Website Maintenance Include?
Maintaining your website involves several tasks that need regular attention. Organizing these tasks by week, month, quarter, and year can create a solid plan to ensure nothing is overlooked.
In this guide, we’ll discuss why website maintenance matters and give you an overview of the essential tasks.
Let’s delve into how to maintain your website effectively.
Testing the Website Annually:
It’s crucial to thoroughly test your entire website at least once a year. This includes checking for broken links, testing functionality on different devices and browsers, and ensuring all features work correctly.
Browser Compatibility Testing:
As new browser versions are released, it’s important to test your website’s compatibility with the latest browsers to ensure a consistent experience for visitors.
Quarterly Forms and Checkout Process Testing:
If your website has forms or an e-commerce checkout process, it’s recommended to test these features quarterly to ensure they are functioning smoothly and securely.
Monthly Software Updates Check:
The software and platforms your website is built on (e.g., content management systems, plugins, and integrations) often receive updates for security patches, bug fixes, and new features. Checking for and applying these updates monthly is crucial.
Website Backup:
Regular backups of your website’s files and databases are essential for data protection and recovery in case of any issues or accidents.
Weekly Key Metrics Review:
Monitoring website metrics such as traffic, bounce rate, conversion rate, and performance indicators every week can help you identify and address any problems or opportunities for improvement.
Troubleshooting Website Issues:
As part of maintenance, you should be prepared to troubleshoot and resolve any website issues that arise, such as errors, crashes, or performance problems.
Plugins and Integrations Updates:
Just like software updates, any plugins or third-party integrations used on your website should be kept up-to-date to ensure compatibility, security, and optimal performance.
Security Updates:
Implementing the latest security measures, such as SSL certificates, firewalls, and malware scanning, is crucial for protecting your website and its visitors from potential threats.
Regular Website Backups:
This is so important that it’s worth mentioning twice: regular backups of your website’s data and files should be a top priority in your maintenance routine.
Ongoing Key Metrics Review:
Monitoring website analytics and key performance indicators on an ongoing basis can help you identify trends, optimize your site, and make data-driven decisions about its maintenance and improvement.
A website maintenance plan is like a roadmap or a to-do list that helps you keep your website in good shape. It outlines all the tasks that need to be done when they should be done, and who’s responsible for doing them. Having a plan in place is a proactive approach, which means you’re taking steps to prevent problems before they happen rather than waiting for issues to arise.
A well-designed website maintenance plan should have the following components:
Assessment and Analysis:
This is where you take a close look at your website and identify any areas that need attention. It’s like giving your website a check-up to see what’s working well and what needs improvement.
Task Identification and Prioritization:
After assessing your website, you’ll make a list of all the tasks that need to be done. This could include things like updating software, backing up data, testing functionality, and addressing security concerns. Once you have the list, you’ll prioritize the tasks based on their importance and urgency.
Maintenance Schedule:
This is the calendar, or timeline, that outlines when each task should be performed. Some tasks might need to be done monthly, while others can be done quarterly or annually. Having a schedule helps you stay organized and ensures that nothing falls through the cracks.
Assign Responsibilities:
In this step, you’ll decide who will be responsible for carrying out each task. This could be someone on your team, a third-party service provider, or a combination of both. Assigning responsibilities helps ensure accountability and smooth execution.
Implementation and Execution:
This is where the actual work gets done. Following the schedule and assigned responsibilities, the identified tasks are carried out systematically and thoroughly.
Emergency Response Plan:
Even with a solid maintenance plan, unexpected issues can still arise. That’s why it’s important to have an emergency response plan in place. This plan outlines the steps to be taken in case of a website crash, security breach, or other critical incident, ensuring prompt action and minimizing downtime or damage.
A well-designed website maintenance plan is like having a dedicated team of experts keep an eye on your website’s health and performance. It helps you stay ahead of potential problems, ensures your website is running smoothly and securely, and provides a better experience for your visitors. By following a structured plan, you can avoid costly downtime, security breaches, and other issues that could harm your online presence and reputation.
What Is the Difference Between Web Development and Website Management?
Web development and web management are two crucial aspects of maintaining a successful online presence. While they are often confused with each other, they serve distinct purposes and play different roles in the life cycle of a website.
Let me explain the differences between the two with real-world examples.
Web Development: Building the Foundation
Web development is the process of creating a website from scratch.
It’s like building a house—you need to lay the foundation, construct the frame, and add the walls, roof, and all the necessary components to make it a functional and visually appealing structure.
At TrafficOn Media, they understand the importance of starting a web development project with a clear understanding of your business, brand, and objectives. Just like an architect would sit down with a homeowner to discuss their vision and requirements, TrafficOn Media’s website experts emphasize the value of asking relevant questions to learn about you, your business, and your competition.
This initial stage is crucial because it establishes the branding rules, such as logos, color schemes, typography, and the overall tone and messaging throughout the website. Think of it as choosing the exterior design, color palette, and architectural style of a house; these elements create a cohesive look and feel that aligns with your brand identity.
Web Management: Keeping the Website Running
Once the website is built, web management comes into play.
It’s like maintaining a house—you need to perform regular upkeep, repairs, and updates to keep it in good condition and ensure it meets the needs of its occupants.
Web management involves several ongoing tasks, such as content management, security management, performance management, and analytics management.
What are the Elements of Website Management?
There are five important parts to taking care of a website. Let’s go through them one by one:
Security:
This means keeping your website safe from bad people who might want to break into it or cause trouble. It’s like locking the doors and windows of your house to keep burglars out. For a website, we use things like passwords and special codes to keep hackers away.
Accessibility:
This is about making sure that everyone can use and understand your website, even if they have a disability or use a different device. It’s like making sure your house has ramps or elevators so that people in wheelchairs can get around easily. For a website, we make sure it works well on phones, tablets, and computers and that people who are visually impaired or have other needs can still use it.
Technical Performance:
This is about making sure your website runs smoothly and loads quickly. It’s like making sure all the appliances and systems in your house are working properly and not slowing things down. For a website, we check things like how fast the pages load, and we fix any errors or bugs that might be causing problems.
On-page SEO:
This is about helping people find your website when they search for things online. It’s like putting up a big sign in front of your house so that people can easily see your address. For a website, we use special words and codes that help search engines like Google understand what your website is about and show it to the right people.
Design:
This is about how your website looks and how easy it is for people to use. It’s like making sure your house looks nice and is organized in a way that makes sense. For a website, we choose colors, fonts, and layouts that are pleasing to the eye and make it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for.
Did you know?
“94% of first impressions of a business are related to the website design.”
HubSpot
By taking care of these five parts, we can make sure your website is safe, accessible to everyone, runs smoothly, can be found by people searching online, and looks great!
Just like taking care of your house makes it a comfortable and welcoming place to live,
What are the Best Practices and Tips for WordPress Website Maintenance?
Websites need regular maintenance, just like cars or vehicles. You’ll often need developers to make updates, edits, or fix bugs. Sometimes, you may need to switch developers.
When a new developer takes over, their job is harder if the previous one doesn’t follow best practices.
To make the new developer’s life easier:
- Keep your website organized and tidy
- Clearly label everything
- Provide instructions and notes
- Fix any existing problems
Making things easier for the new developer saves you time and money. It’s like having a clean room – much easier for someone to help when it’s already tidy!
Did you know?
Over 60 million people chose WordPress to power their website or blog.
WordPress
What Does a Website Manager Do?
A website manager is responsible for taking care of and maintaining a company’s website. Here are some of the key tasks they typically handle, explained in simple terms:
- Make sure the website matches the company’s branding, goals, and standards.
- Review all the content on the website and remove any duplicate or unnecessary information.
- Help with social media and other marketing activities related to the website.
- Test the website regularly to ensure it’s working properly and providing a good experience for visitors.
- Come up with strategies to increase the number of people visiting the website.
- Create new content for the website that supports the company’s objectives and plans.
- Ensure the website follows all relevant laws and regulations.
- Check out competitors’ websites to see what they’re doing.
- Follow the best practices and industry standards for website management.
- Look for ways to improve the overall experience for people using the website.
- Set up security measures to protect the website from hackers or other threats.
- Keep the website’s domain name and hosting service up-to-date and paid for.
- Manage any paid advertising campaigns or search engine optimization efforts for the website.
- Monitor the website for any security breaches and take action if needed.
- Plan, create, manage, monitor, and update the website for the company.
- Create sitemap diagrams that show how the website is structured and organized.
- Respond to, troubleshoot, and fix any issues or problems with the website.
- Update the website’s coding and technical components frequently.
In simple terms, a website manager is responsible for ensuring the company’s website is functional, up-to-date, secure, and aligned with the organization’s goals and branding. They oversee all aspects of the website, from content and design to technical maintenance and marketing efforts.
Why Does a Website Need Maintenance?
Having a website is essential for businesses, but simply creating one is not enough. Just like any valuable asset, websites require regular maintenance to ensure they continue serving their purpose effectively.
Website maintenance is crucial for several reasons:
Preserving Functionality:
The most apparent reason for website maintenance is to keep it functioning properly. Websites are built on various technologies, including content management systems, plugins, and integrations, which require regular updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and ensure compatibility with the latest software versions. Neglecting these updates can lead to broken features, error messages, and potentially even a complete website crash.
Maintaining a Professional Appearance:
A well-maintained website reflects positively on your brand’s professionalism and credibility. Outdated content, broken links, and an overall dated design can give visitors the impression that your business is no longer active or doesn’t prioritize its online presence. Regular maintenance ensures that your website looks fresh, modern, and aligned with your brand’s image, keeping visitors engaged and interested.
Did you know:
90% of users will exit out of a poorly designed website.
Sagapixel
Enhancing User Experience:
User experience (UX) is a critical factor in determining the success of a website. A poorly maintained site can lead to frustrating experiences for visitors, such as slow loading times, broken forms, and navigation issues. By performing regular maintenance tasks like optimizing images, minifying code, and updating plugins, you can ensure that your website provides a smooth and enjoyable experience, encouraging visitors to stay longer and engage with your content.
Did you know:
40% of website visitors will not wait any more than 3 seconds before clicking off a website.
Forbes
Improving Search Engine Optimization (SEO):
Search engines like Google prioritize websites that are regularly updated, secure, and mobile-friendly. Maintenance tasks such as adding fresh content, optimizing page load times, and ensuring mobile responsiveness can positively impact your website’s search engine rankings. A well-maintained site with high-quality, relevant content is more likely to rank higher in search results, driving more organic traffic to your business.
Did you know:
68% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
BrightEdge
Addressing Security Risks:
Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and websites are prime targets for hackers and malicious actors. Regular maintenance involves updating security measures, installing the latest security patches, and monitoring for potential vulnerabilities. Neglecting security updates can leave your website and sensitive data exposed, potentially leading to data breaches, website defacement, or even complete shutdowns.
Did you know:
95% of cybersecurity incidents at SMBs cost between $826 and $653,587.
strongdm
Ensuring Compliance:
Depending on your industry and the nature of your business, your website may be subject to various legal and regulatory requirements. Regular maintenance can help ensure that your site remains compliant with data privacy laws, accessibility standards, and industry-specific regulations, protecting your business from potential legal issues and fines.
Adapting to Changes:
The online landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies, design trends, and user preferences emerging regularly. Maintaining your website allows you to adapt to these changes, ensuring that your online presence remains relevant, modern, and aligned with the latest best practices and user expectations.
By prioritizing website maintenance, businesses can ensure that their online presence remains functional, visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines. Regular maintenance not only protects your investment in your website but also helps to foster trust, credibility, and a positive brand image for your business in the digital realm.
Common Website Maintenance Challenges and Solutions
Website maintenance is essential for ensuring a smooth, secure, and up-to-date online presence. However, even with the best intentions, businesses often face various challenges when it comes to maintaining their websites effectively.
Here, we’ll explore some common website maintenance challenges and provide practical solutions to help you overcome them.
| Challenge | Solution |
| Limited Technical Expertise | Invest in website maintenance training or workshops. Consider hiring a professional website maintenance service or a freelance web developer. Leverage user-friendly content management systems (CMS) and website builders. |
| Time Constraints | Develop a comprehensive website maintenance schedule and stick to it. Automate routine tasks, such as backups and software updates. Delegate website maintenance responsibilities to a dedicated team member or outsource to a professional service |
| Budget Limitations | Prioritize essential maintenance tasks and allocate a dedicated budget. Explore cost-effective website maintenance services or freelancers. Invest in website maintenance tools and plugins that can streamline tasks and save time |
| Keeping Up with Technology | Stay informed about the latest web development trends and technologies by following industry blogs and forums. Attend webinars, conferences, or online courses. Work with a professional website maintenance service that specializes in staying up-to-date. |
| Security Vulnerabilities | Regularly update your website’s software, plugins, and content management system. Implement strong password policies and enable two-factor authentication. Consider website security services or plugins that provide advanced protection. |
| Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Maintenance | Learn the fundamentals of SEO and incorporate best practices into your website maintenance routine. Regularly update your website’s content, metadata, and other SEO elements. Consider hiring an SEO professional or agency. |
| Mobile Optimization | Use responsive website design techniques. Test your website’s mobile experience regularly and address any issues or performance problems. Leverage mobile-friendly website builders or content management systems |
How Does Website Maintenance Help Grow a Business?
A website is like a new car – it starts fresh, runs smoothly, and has great potential.
Without regular maintenance, issues (broken links, outdated content) pile up, making your website an uninviting mess that deters visitors (potential customers).
Website maintenance helps business growth, just like car maintenance keeps your vehicle running well:
- It keeps your website running smoothly – no hiccups, errors, or slowdowns. Like ensuring a well-tuned engine and working parts.
- A well-maintained website provides a seamless experience, just like a well-maintained car runs smoothly.
- It keeps your website relevant and modern, just like keeping an older car up-to-date with the latest features and trends. Regular updates make it engaging.
- Search engines (driving traffic) love frequently updated, optimized websites. Like a well-kept car that’s appealing to buyers.
- It protects your online presence from cyber threats, just like car maintenance prevents breakdowns. Updates and security are virtual “tune-ups” that safeguard your business.
- It adapts your website to changing customer needs, like modifying a car for new driving conditions or owner preferences. Analytics help optimize the user experience.
- A well-maintained website helps your business thrive, just like a well-maintained car runs reliably for years.
- Neglecting website maintenance is like ignoring car maintenance – it might limp along, but it won’t perform at its best.
Are you ready to start maintaining your digital vehicle for peak performance?
Options for Website Maintenance
Just like there are different options for car maintenance (do-it-yourself, take it to a mechanic, or use a car service), there are various options for website maintenance too.
Just as a car needs regular oil changes, tire rotations, and tune-ups to keep running smoothly, a website requires consistent care to stay in good shape.
Regular maintenance tasks like updating software, optimizing speed, and refreshing content are similar to changing the oil, rotating tires, and doing engine check-ups on a car.
Whether you choose to do the website maintenance yourself, hire a freelance “mechanic” for your website, or use a professional website maintenance service, regular upkeep is key to keeping your online presence in top condition and attracting visitors.
So, let’s explore the different routes you can take to keep your digital ride in tip-top shape!
Option 1: The DIY Approach
For those skilled at coding, the do-it-yourself (DIY) approach to website maintenance can be appealing.
It’s like maintaining your own car – changing the oil, rotating the tires, and doing tune-ups yourself. You get the satisfaction of taking care of your online presence with your own hands while potentially saving some money.
Just as a passionate car enthusiast meticulously maintains their vehicle, a hands-on approach lets you tackle tasks like updating software (similar to changing your engine oil), fixing bugs (like repairing a faulty part), and implementing security (like installing better locks).
While requiring more effort, the DIY route allows you to maintain your online space with pride, much like keeping an older car running smoothly through your own hard work.
You’ll need to roll up your sleeves and get familiar with your website’s content management system (CMS), plugins, and other technical aspects.
You’ll be responsible for tasks like updating software, backing up your data, monitoring for security threats, and keeping your content fresh and relevant.
Option 2: The Professional Mechanic (Agency or Freelancer)
Just like taking your car to a professional mechanic, you can entrust the maintenance of your website to a skilled agency or freelancer.
These digital pit crews have the expertise and tools to keep your website running like a well-oiled machine.
When you hire a professional website maintenance service, they’ll handle all the nitty-gritty details for you. From software updates and security patches to content refreshes and performance optimizations, they’ve got you covered. It’s like having a team of mechanics working around the clock to ensure your car never misses a beat.
The upside? You can sit back and relax, knowing your website is in capable hands.
The downside? Professional services can be more expensive than the DIY approach, but for many businesses, the peace of mind and time savings are worth the investment.
Option 3: The Hybrid Approach
Can’t decide between DIY and professional help? No problem!
You can opt for a hybrid approach, where you handle some maintenance tasks yourself and outsource the more complex or time-consuming ones to a professional.
For example, you might choose to update your website’s content and perform basic backups yourself, while leaving the technical tasks like software updates, security scans, and performance optimizations to the pros.
The upside? You get the best of both worlds – hands-on control over some aspects of your website, combined with the expertise of professionals for the more technical tasks.
The downside? You’ll need to coordinate and communicate effectively with your professional service provider to ensure a seamless maintenance process.
No matter which option you choose, the key takeaway is this: regular website maintenance is essential for keeping your online presence in top shape, just like maintaining a car ensures a smooth and reliable ride.
So, buckle up and get ready to keep your digital wheels turning smoothly! Whether you prefer the DIY approach, professional help, or a hybrid solution, your website (and your business) will thank you for the TLC.
What’s a Good Website Maintenance Agency?
A good website maintenance agency can keep your website running smoothly, up-to-date, and secure.
But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one?
Here are some things to look for:
Services Offered
A good agency should offer a wide range of services to take care of your website’s needs. This includes things like security updates, regular backups, content updates, bug fixes, and performance improvements. The more services they provide, the better they can maintain your website.
Experience and Expertise
You’ll want an agency that has been around for a while and has a lot of experience maintaining websites. Check how long they’ve been in business and read reviews from their clients. An experienced agency with a proven track record is more likely to do a good job.
Customized Solutions
Every website is different, so a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. A good agency should be able to tailor their services to your specific website and business needs.
Quick Response and Support
Website issues can happen at any time, so you need an agency that can respond quickly and provide efficient support. Ask about their response times for emergencies and how available they are for regular maintenance.
Strong Security Measures
Website security is super important to protect you and your visitors. Make sure the agency follows best practices for cybersecurity, like regular security checks, updates, and protection against threats.
Scalability
As your business grows, your website needs might change too. Choose an agency that can grow with you and handle your future requirements.
Clear Communication
Good communication is key to a successful partnership. The agency should keep you updated on what they’re doing and any changes they make to your website.
Fair Pricing
While cost is important, don’t just go for the cheapest option. Quality services are more valuable than saving a few bucks. Compare pricing and services to find a balance that fits your budget.
Client References
Don’t be afraid to ask the agency for references from their current clients. Hearing about others’ experiences can give you a better idea of what it’s like to work with them.
By considering these factors, you’ll be able to find a website maintenance agency that can keep your online presence in top shape and help your business thrive.
Advantages of Hiring a Professional Agency for Website Maintenance
In today’s digital age, having a website is essential for any business looking to establish an online presence and reach a wider audience. However, simply creating a website is not enough – it requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains functional, secure, and up-to-date. While some businesses may be tempted to handle website maintenance tasks in-house, hiring a professional agency can offer numerous advantages.
Let’s explore some of the key benefits.
- Professional website maintenance agencies possess a wealth of expertise and experience. These agencies employ teams of skilled professionals who are well-versed in the latest web technologies, best practices, and industry trends.
- They can provide comprehensive maintenance services, ensuring that your website is optimized for performance, security, and user experience.
- They have access to specialized tools and resources that may not be readily available to in-house teams. For example, they can utilize advanced security monitoring systems, performance optimization tools, and cutting-edge content management platforms. By leveraging these resources, agencies can streamline maintenance tasks and deliver superior results.
- Hiring a professional agency can save your business valuable time and resources. Website maintenance can be a time-consuming endeavor, particularly for businesses without dedicated IT staff. By outsourcing these tasks to an agency, you can redirect your focus and resources toward core business operations, improving overall productivity and efficiency.
- Professional agencies offer scalability and flexibility. As your business grows and your website requirements evolve, a professional agency can easily adapt its services to meet your changing needs. Whether you require additional features, increased security measures, or content management support, an agency can provide tailored solutions to ensure your website remains a valuable asset.
- Working with a professional agency is the assurance of reliable support and a timely response. These agencies typically offer round-the-clock monitoring and support services, ensuring that any issues or emergencies are addressed promptly. In contrast, relying on in-house resources can lead to delays or interruptions, potentially impacting your online presence and customer experience.
- Professional agencies prioritize website security, a critical concern in today’s digital landscape.
- They employ robust security measures, such as regular vulnerability scans, data encryption, and secure hosting environments, to protect your website and customer data from potential cyber threats. By entrusting your website’s security to experts, you can mitigate risks and maintain a trusted online presence.
- Finally, partnering with a professional agency can provide valuable insights and recommendations for website optimization and growth strategies. These agencies have extensive experience working with various industries and businesses, allowing them to offer data-driven insights and best practices tailored to your specific goals and objectives.
In conclusion, while maintaining a website in-house may seem cost-effective initially, the advantages of hiring a professional agency often outweigh the perceived savings. From expertise and specialized resources to scalability, reliable support, and enhanced security, a professional agency can ensure your website remains a powerful asset, driving business growth and success in the digital realm.
Common Misconceptions about Website Maintenance
If you believe any of these seven website maintenance myths, you’re putting your time and money at risk. Don’t fall for these myths when you can easily avoid them. Get the information you need to make informed decisions and protect your online assets.
Learn about persistent website maintenance myths and how you can protect yourself.
Contact Traffic on Media to find out about their website maintenance plans and how you can work with a dedicated website manager. Contact us or send a message through their website maintenance inquiry form.
Myth #1. I don’t need website maintenance
The top website maintenance myth is that you don’t need maintenance at all.
Many people think that once their website is up and running, they’re all set – no need to do anything else. It’s a brand-new website.
But a new website isn’t like a new house that won’t need work for years.
When you launch your website, you should already have a plan for regular maintenance.
Regular updates are the only way to keep your website secure and performing well.
What should that plan include?
Scanning for security issues, checking your website speed, and updating plugins should happen regularly. Product information should be current. The copy should be accurate. Forms and checkout pages should be tested often.
The consequences of ignoring routine maintenance are severe. Slow-loading websites cost retailers a whopping $2.6 billion in sales every year. You need regular website maintenance to protect your site from hackers and to provide a good customer experience, ultimately boosting revenue.
You earn the trust of your website visitors–customers–through a seamless browsing experience, streamlined and secure checkout, and error-free copy and imagery. This fact makes website maintenance critical to the health of not only your site but your overall business.
Myth #2. Website maintenance is easy
Another common misconception is that website maintenance is easy. Anyone can do it–even if they don’t have experience.
It’s surprising how popular this belief is among nonprofit organizations, who often view website maintenance as a volunteer opportunity regardless of the volunteers’ relevant experience.
They wouldn’t automatically ask their volunteers, “Who wants to be responsible for doing our taxes?” but they assume anyone can handle website work.
The truth is that maintaining a website can be complex and a lot of work. Spend some time learning about proper website maintenance, and you’ll quickly find out that the back end of a website is best handled by someone who knows what they’re doing, not just any willing set of hands.
Myth #3. My site won’t get hacked
When the subject of hacking comes up, it’s natural to think… That will never happen to me.
Especially if you have a small business. Who’s going to care about your little blog?
Hackers, that’s who.
Hackers often specifically target smaller websites because they know these sites are less likely to be secure.
A report on techjury.com states that 30,000 websites are hacked daily. Of these attacks, 43% target small businesses.
Website maintenance can help deter hackers by catching and addressing security vulnerabilities. By fixing bugs as they come up and keeping all systems up-to-date, you can take a proactive approach to website security.
Keep your website safe and secure with professional website maintenance services from Traffic on Media. Contact us and send a message through their website maintenance inquiry form.
Myth #4. My website developer will support my website
Can a website developer handle website maintenance? Sure.
Do they want to perform website maintenance? Usually not.
That’s why we see three things happen when people hire their website developers to do their website maintenance:
- They aren’t responsive to your needs, which is troubling at best but a disaster if you have an urgent issue with your site
- They charge you outrageous prices for basic maintenance tasks
- They are great at building websites but don’t have the organization or follow-up skills to maintain a website properly.
At Traffic on Media, they specialize in ongoing website maintenance that is prompt, fairly priced, and backed by years of expertise.
Learn more about their monthly maintenance packages here.
Myth #5. Nothing will go wrong
Properly maintaining your site isn’t a guarantee that nothing will go wrong.
You know the phrase: “Stuff happens.”
The only thing you can do is be prepared if it does.
A large part of website maintenance is indeed proactive — seeking to prevent issues before they arise. But other aspects are reactive. Troubleshooting is part of the work. It’s what a professional website manager is trained to do. They will quickly and efficiently handle any problems that occur with your site.
Bottom line: You need a plan for both preventive and reactive maintenance. Yes, regular website maintenance greatly reduces the chances of things going wrong. But issues will still come up. And that’s what an expert website manager is on call to handle.
Myth #6. Website maintenance doesn’t require my input
Custom website maintenance is not a one-size-fits-all job.
The reality?
Custom website maintenance should be customized to meet the site’s specific needs and the goals of the business. A small business with a couple of product pages and a blog won’t need the same maintenance as a large e-commerce site. Maintenance for a nonprofit website will have different tasks than site maintenance for a law or accounting firm.
Your website manager needs your input and wants to understand your goals to successfully exceed your expectations.
At Traffic on Media, they work with clients to develop strategic and tactical website maintenance plans that address their specific business goals.
Myth #7. Website maintenance is too expensive
Even businesses and organizations that prioritize website maintenance balk at paying a professional to do the work.
Rather than a professional service worthy of payment, they view website maintenance as a volunteer opportunity or an “add-on” to an already busy marketing person’s responsibilities.
Who’s to blame?
The industry itself. Too many people with mediocre website skills are willing to work for next to nothing (until they start feeling resentful and quit because it’s a lot of work that they deserve to be paid fairly for).
Another issue is that people don’t quantify the value of their time. You or someone on your staff might spend hours messing around with the website, trying to get it to perform better. This is valuable time that could have gone to business-building activities.
Similarly, people also don’t think about how much money is lost when their website goes down. This is especially true of e-commerce sites.
45% of large companies say that a mere hour of unexpected downtime leads to a loss of $1 million or more.
Hiring a professional for website maintenance–like Traffic on Media’s website managers–is an investment that will always deliver a positive ROI. And professional website maintenance service doesn’t have to be expensive. Contact Us or send a message through their website maintenance inquiry form to learn about their monthly website maintenance packages. Get on top of your website maintenance.
Escape these top myths of website maintenance and start giving your site the attention it needs to stay healthy. At Traffic on Media, their friendly team of experts has been helping people with their websites.
We offer basic, professional, and ultimate website maintenance packages, all with:
- Direct communication with your website manager
- A 24-hour response time during the workweek
- Options for WordPress training
- A strong focus on search engine optimization
In terms of pricing, they are among the higher-priced agencies for a website maintenance plan. And that’s for a good reason: their experienced website managers are also WordPress instructors and SEO specialists. Their high level of expertise, paired with first-class customer service, makes them the premier website maintenance provider in the United States.
Their website maintenance plans are:
- Basic Website Maintenance / $19 per month, billed monthly
- Professional Website Maintenance / $29 per month, billed monthly
- Ultimate Website Maintenance / $99 per month, billed monthly
Conclusion:
That’s it for my complete guide to website maintenance in 2024.
Which maintenance strategy or best practice from today’s guide do you want to implement first for your website? Or you may have a question about a specific aspect of website maintenance.
Either way, let me know by leaving a quick comment below.