You invested time, money, and energy into creating a great website for your business. But what happens after it’s launched? Just like a new building needs a groundskeeper or a star athlete needs a trainer, your website needs ongoing care to perform at its best. If your Google search history looks something like this…
- What is website maintenance?
- Do I need website maintenance?
- What are the benefits of maintenance packages?
… then you’re in the right place.
We’re here to answer those questions and show you why a website maintenance package isn’t just a good idea—it’s essential for protecting your investment and ensuring your business’s growth.
What is website maintenance?
Website maintenance services are the proactive, ongoing tasks that keep a website functional, secure, and up-to-date. This consistent care encompasses everything from regular content and software updates to active security monitoring and performance optimization. By staying on top of these essential services, you protect your site from potential threats, ensure a great user experience for every visitor, and maintain your business’s relevance and authority online. These services ultimately save you time, money, and stress, allowing you to focus on better serving your customers.
What is WordPress website maintenance?
Given its massive popularity, it’s worth taking a moment to talk specifically about WordPress website maintenance. Because over 40% of all websites on the internet are built on WordPress, it has become a frequent target for hackers. The platform itself is robust, but it relies on a huge ecosystem of third-party themes and plugins, which are a common source of vulnerabilities.
So, what does good WordPress maintenance look like? It’s about protecting the three core pillars of your site:
Core Software Updates
WordPress regularly releases new versions of its core software. These updates contain critical security patches and performance improvements.
Theme Updates
Just like the core software, your website’s theme needs to be kept current. Developers release updates to fix bugs, improve compatibility, and patch security holes.
pLUGIN uPDATES
Plugins are what give your WordPress site its customizations and robust capabilities, but they are also the most common point of entry for malicious attacks. A WordPress maintenance plan ensures all of your plugins are updated and working together seamlessly, so you can leverage their features without the security risks.
WordPress support services take the guesswork out of consistently managing core software, theme, and plugin updates, ensuring your site remains a secure and powerful tool for your business rather than a liability.
What happens if I don't have a website maintenance package?
Without a consistent maintenance plan, your website is vulnerable to a host of issues that can hurt your business.
Security Breaches
An unpatched website is an open door for hackers. Cyberattacks can lead to stolen customer data, a damaged reputation, and costly cleanup efforts.
Slow Performance
Your customers are busy people. If your site takes too long to load, they’ll leave. A slow website also hurts your search engine rankings, making it harder for new customers to find you.
Broken Functionality
Over time, plugins, themes, and code can become incompatible. This can lead to broken contact forms, checkout errors, or pages that simply don’t work. These frustrating issues could send your website visitors straight to the dreaded close button.
Data Loss
Without regular backups, a critical error or hack could wipe out your entire website. The time and resources it would take to rebuild everything from scratch could be devastating for your business.
Reputation
The highest price you’ll pay for not having a website care plan is a damaged reputation. A broken or compromised website makes your business look unprofessional and unreliable. When customers encounter errors, security warnings, or outdated information, they lose trust in your brand—and that’s a problem that’s much harder to fix than a line of code.
How do I purchase website maintenance services?
Hiring a managed service provider
This is the hands-off, “set it and forget it” solution. You hire a company like ours to handle all your website’s technical needs, from updates and backups to security scans and performance checks. Within this model, there are a few options for how you can engage with a provider:
- Hourly for Ad-Hoc Needs: Some website managed service providers offer hourly services for one-off needs, which can be a good option for a business with a very limited budget or a specific, short-term issue. However, this is typically offered at the discretion of the provider and may not guarantee immediate availability.
- Monthly Retainer: A retainer agreement means you have a dedicated website maintenance company on standby to help with your website needs as they arise. You pay a set fee for priority access to their services, often at a discounted rate, giving you peace of mind that expert help is always available.
DIY (Do-It-Yourself)
For those with the time and technical expertise, you can manage website maintenance tasks yourself. However, it’s crucial to be consistent and stay up-to-date with the latest security protocols and best practices. Neglecting your website for as little as a month could lead to vulnerabilities that result in your website getting hacked.
Securing Your Website's Success
Imagine a version of your business where your website is consistently fast, always secure, and free from unexpected issues. What would that mean for you? It would mean more leads, better customer trust, and the freedom to focus on what you do best. That’s the real value of a great maintenance plan—it gives you back the time and energy to dedicate to your core business, knowing your online presence is in expert hands. By choosing a proactive maintenance plan, you’re making a strategic investment that saves you time, money, and stress in the long run.
Ready to give your website the care it deserves? Explore our proactive web maintenance services. Let’s build something great together.
Watch how we can transform your website.
IDS builds websites that stand out, strengthen your brand, and drive results.
