Why Website Maintenance Matters
Think of your website like a car — it needs regular servicing to keep running smoothly. Neglect maintenance, and problems compound over time.
What Can Go Wrong Without Maintenance
Security Vulnerabilities
Outdated plugins, themes, and CMS versions are the #1 cause of website hacks. WordPress sites are particularly vulnerable — over 90% of hacked WordPress sites are running outdated software.
Performance Degradation
Over time, databases grow, caches expire, and new browser updates can break functionality. Without maintenance, your site gradually slows down.
SEO Decline
Broken links, missing images, outdated content, and expired SSL certificates all negatively impact your search rankings.
Compatibility Issues
Browsers and devices are constantly updated. Without testing and updates, your site may break for a growing percentage of visitors.
What Regular Maintenance Includes
A proper maintenance plan should cover:
- Security updates — CMS, plugins, and theme updates
- Backups — regular, tested backups of files and database
- Performance monitoring — speed tests and optimisation
- Uptime monitoring — alerts when your site goes down
- Content updates — keeping information current
- SEO health checks — fixing broken links, updating meta data
- SSL certificate management — ensuring HTTPS stays active
- Analytics review — monthly check of traffic and behaviour
How Often?
At minimum:
- Weekly — security updates and backups
- Monthly — performance check and content review
- Quarterly — comprehensive audit and optimisation
The Cost of Neglect vs Maintenance
Fixing a hacked website can cost £500-5,000+. Recovering lost rankings can take months. Lost customers during downtime are gone forever.
Regular maintenance typically costs £50-200/month — a fraction of the cost of dealing with problems after they occur.
Every website we build comes with the option of ongoing maintenance. Our pay monthly plans include maintenance as standard, or we can create a custom care plan for your existing site. Get in touch to discuss your needs.