The Ultimate Guide to Website Maintenance in 2024

35 MIN READWeb Maintenance
Written By Emir Bektic

Once you've set up your website, keeping it going (and going well) can't be that difficult, right?

Well, actually, yes! Keeping it going is fairly easy, but it does require regular maintenance.

Neglecting this can lead to breakdowns, crashes, and—gasp—a terrible user experience. And if there's one thing webpage users dislike, it's comment sections filled with know-it-alls. And terrible user experiences, that too!

So buckle up, because keeping your website running smoothly is as essential as that morning coffee you can’t live without. And now I've written an article that'll give you all the possible info you may need if you want to keep your mornings free for your coffee, rather than panic-fixing your website!

Neglecting website maintenance isn’t just risky—it’s an open invitation for problems. Over time, security vulnerabilities develop, user experience degrades, and search engine rankings drop.

A website without maintenance is like a pizza without cheese—sure, it’s still technically a pizza, but nobody’s gonna enjoy it!

 

But what does that cheese—or rather, website maintenance—mean for your website?

Avoid costly downtime

Imagine this: your website crashes right when a potential customer is checking out their cart. Boom—sale lost, visitor gone, and your credibility takes a hit.

You know what's great? Sleep.

You know what can really mess with your sleep? Moments like the one described above!

Regular maintenance helps avoid these cringe moments and keeps your sleep pattern smooth and consistent—just like your website should be! 😇

By keeping everything up to date, you reduce the chances of unexpected downtime that could cost you customers (and your sanity).

Think of it as digital insurance—less exciting than skydiving, but way more practical!

What are the signs your website needs maintenance?

Warning signs of neglect can include slow load times, increased error messages, or features not working as expected. If your site is sluggish, glitchy, or crashing frequently, it’s time for some TLC. Users are unlikely to wait around for a slow site to load, so those first warning signs are your clue to act fast!

And no, that wasn't just filler—there's just about nothing that users dislike as much as slow loading times.

Expecting a website to load nigh instantaneously is ingrained in our way of using the internet nowadays, with around 83% of users expecting sites to load in 3 seconds or less, per WebFX.

And if this doesn't happen? Well, approximately 40% of users will abandon those sites—and that'll go up exponentially the longer it takes to load, according to research by HostingAdvice.

How do you monitor website downtime?

Monitoring your website’s uptime ensures you’re immediately notified if your site goes offline.

Tools like UptimeRobot and Pingdom monitor your site 24/7 and send alerts if something goes wrong. Knowing about downtime the moment it happens allows you to fix it before it becomes a bigger issue.

And oh boy can it become an issue... financially speaking, downtime can be a dark hole, with its average cost estimated at $5,600 per minute for smaller companies, and even more for larger ones, per UptimeRobot. How much more? Well, Facebook went down for 6 hours in 2021 and lost around $100 million—that's $164,000 per minute.

Trust me: investing in downtime monitoring is worth it!

What's the risk for small businesses if website maintenance is neglected?

So, on top of the dire financial implications we just mentioned, small business owners are particularly vulnerable if outages or security issues arise.

As a small business owner—especially if you're fairly new—it's all about good rep. And neglecting web maintenance can bring about the sort of issues that are a PR disaster.

Losing important client data, purchases that fall through after payment is done, or a 404 error on a page giving important updates for users—these are just a few of the scenarios that'll give small business owners the sort of headaches that painkillers will struggle to fix easily.

But thankfully, website maintenance works better than painkillers for this particular ache!

Boost page security and data handling

If cybercriminals were like little kittens, we'd think of them as super cute and would gladly take the hit for any issues they make.

 

Unfortunately, though, they are more like the Grinches of the internet, always looking to steal data and mess with your site.

Regular security checks, software updates, and secure data handling can keep your site safe from attacks. Without this, you’re leaving your digital door wide open for trouble.

You don’t want to be that site that people avoid because their last visit resulted in a weird virus. Think of security updates like setting up a digital force field—minus the need for lasers (sadly).

What are SSL certificates, and do they need maintenance?

SSL certificates encrypt data between your site and its visitors, keeping sensitive information safe. They do expire, so you need to monitor their status and renew them before they lapse.

You know how HTTPS stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure? Well, the secure part comes from the SSL certificate.

Not having that certificate makes your site an HTTP page, and that's preeeeeetty bad if you're trying to do business. Letting your SSL certificate expire can leave your site vulnerable and may result in browser warnings that scare users away.

How bad is this? According to ConcreteCMS, around 84% of users will abandon a purchase if they perceive a lack of trustworthiness in a website. In plain terms, you'd be losing almost all of your customers!

How does website maintenance tie into security updates?

Security updates are a critical aspect of maintenance. Whether it's your CMS (content management system) or plugins, outdated software is vulnerable to attacks.

Regularly applying security patches is the best way to stay ahead of hackers, avoid security breaches, and keep your website safe.

Cybersecurity is a cornerstone of website maintenance. Regular updates, SSL certificates, and security plugins form a protective shield against hackers. Keep your software up-to-date, scan for malware, and monitor unusual activity.

Proactive security maintenance keeps your site—and your users—safe.

Improve user experience (UX)

Ever land on a website that feels like it’s stuck in 2003? Feels like you can hear dial-up sounds somewhere in the background of your mind?

Broken links, slow load times, and clunky navigation can turn users off faster than a bad Wi-Fi connection.

Navigation, especially, can make a serious impact, with a study by Forrester Research showing that a well-designed interfact can increase conversion rates by 200%, and overall UX improvements can bring that up to a whopping 400%. This kind of a big deal!

Regular maintenance ensures your site stays fresh, fast, and easy to use. Plus, it keeps your visitors engaged, which means they’re more likely to stick around, click, buy, and maybe even share.

It's like giving your website a little love so it loves you back with happy visitors.

How do you ensure mobile optimization as part of maintenance?

Mobile optimization should be part of regular maintenance.

Make sure your site design is responsive, so it adjusts to different screen sizes. Test mobile loading speeds, check navigation, and ensure that buttons and links are easy to tap on smaller screens.

Regular testing ensures you’re not alienating mobile visitors. And given how around 90% of them are more inclined to continue shopping if they have a positive user experience (per UXCAM), it'd be a really good idea to keep them happy, from a business POV. 📈

What’s the role of cache management in website maintenance?

Managing your cache helps speed up your site by storing copies of your pages for repeat visitors. However, too much cached data can lead to outdated content being displayed.

Clearing your cache periodically ensures that users see the latest version of your website and get the most up-to-date sense of your online presence.

How does website maintenance help with ADA compliance?

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990) compliance ensures your website is accessible to users with disabilities.

Maintenance tasks like checking alt text for images, ensuring video captions work, and making forms accessible are critical.

Regularly testing your website for accessibility keeps it usable for everyone and helps you avoid legal issues.

Why is domain management a part of website maintenance?

Your domain is like the address to your online home—if something goes wrong with it, your visitors won’t be able to find you!

Regular domain management ensures your domain doesn’t expire, your DNS settings are correct, and your site is secure. Letting your domain lapse could mean losing your website entirely or giving hackers a chance to swoop in and claim it.

Not to mention, an outdated domain could cause all sorts of downtime issues that’ll frustrate your users (and our great overlord: Google).

Can website maintenance improve site speed?

Absolutely!

 

I promise this blog post won't just devolve into a halfway-funny attempt to introduce cat gifs under the pretense of explaining website maintenance—but honestly, would you even be mad if it did?

Regular maintenance helps keep your site fast by optimizing databases, clearing out old or unused files, and ensuring that plugins and themes are up-to-date. A faster site keeps users engaged and helps with SEO.

And if you're a small business owner looking to boost your SEO—well, do I have a blog post for you or what?!

Regular website maintenance and site speed are besties, and that's a win-win for your users!

How do you test forms and interactive elements during maintenance?

Forms and interactive elements like buttons or comment sections should be tested during maintenance.

Regularly check that forms are sending data correctly and that buttons are functioning. Broken interactive elements frustrate users and could even lead to lost leads or revenue.

Take a bit of time when doing maintenance to save a lot of time running after revenue!

So, now that you know what you can gain from website maintenance—how about we take a look at another crucial question?

Now that we’ve established why website maintenance is critical, let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of what exactly needs attention.

Spoiler: it’s more than just hitting the "update" button once in a while!

Software and plugins

Your website runs on various bits of software and plugins that help it function smoothly. Think of these as the apps on your phone—if they’re outdated, things start getting glitchy. After a while, if not updated, you won't even be able to get into the app, starting a cycle of ignoring the problem until a time when you really badly need the app and your hand is forced to finally do the update... oh, wait, is this just my experience with my apps?

Regularly updating your software and plugins isn’t just about getting shiny new features; it’s crucial for keeping your site secure and running optimally. Plus, outdated plugins can be the culprit behind those annoying slowdowns or random crashes.

Can outdated plugins cause security vulnerabilities?

Outdated plugins are among the most common culprits of website security issues.

Hackers love to exploit unpatched vulnerabilities, and a single outdated plugin can be their gateway. Keeping plugins updated isn’t just a matter of performance—it’s essential for your site's security.

How do you update your website’s theme or template safely?

Updating your website’s theme or template can freshen up your design, but it needs to be done carefully.

Always back up your site before applying updates, and test the new theme on a staging environment to avoid breaking live elements. Would be pretty uncool for a customer to be browsing your website only to be interrupted by a very sudden (and very unwelcome) change of digital scenery.

 

Technically, I never really promised not to add any more cat gifs—only that there wouldn't be too many!

After updating, check for plugin compatibility to ensure everything works as expected and you'll be in the clear!

What mobile-specific maintenance tasks should you focus on?

Mobile maintenance is more than just squishing your desktop site onto a smaller screen and calling it a day.

You’ve got to optimize images so they load in a flash, make sure buttons are big enough for human fingers, and check that your site looks good in both portrait and landscape mode (because people love flipping their phones for no reason).

Oh, and don’t forget mobile SEO—fast load times and responsive design will keep Google happy and your rankings higher.

Backups and disaster recovery

Nobody expects their website to crash... until it does. And when it does, having a backup is like a lifeline.

Regular backups ensure you don’t lose your precious content and customer data. It’s not just about saving files; it’s about peace of mind. After all, no one wants to be staying overtime trying to revert hours of code changes only for the page to go back to what it was before the whole mess happened.

Backups and a solid disaster recovery plan mean that even if the worst happens (think hackers or server meltdowns), you can get back online quickly—no dramatic meltdowns required.

What's the best way to set up automatic backups?

Automatic backups are a lifesaver when things go wrong.

Most hosting providers offer easy ways to schedule backups, or you can use plugins like UpdraftPlus. Set them up to run daily or weekly, depending on how often you update your site.

Pro tip: don’t forget to test your backups periodically to ensure they’re working.

How do you handle database maintenance for your website?

Database maintenance includes cleaning out unused or outdated data, optimizing queries, and regularly backing up databases.

Over time, databases can become cluttered, slowing down your site. Tools like phpMyAdmin or WordPress plugins like WP-Optimize can help keep your database running smoothly.

What domain-related maintenance tasks should you keep up with?

Don’t let your domain maintenance slip through the cracks!

Some key tasks include renewing your domain name registration (set that auto-renew, STAT), checking DNS settings for potential errors, and ensuring your WHOIS information (info about the registered owner of a domain) is up to date.

For security, consider domain locking to prevent unauthorized transfers, and keep an eye on SSL certificates (because nobody likes a “Not Secure” warning when they visit your site).

Broken links and the dreaded 404 errors

Few things are more frustrating than clicking a link, only to be greeted by the notorious "404 Page Not Found" error.

Broken links don't only frustrate users—they also hurt your SEO rankings.

Regularly checking for and fixing broken links keeps your site navigable and Google-friendly. Plus, let’s be real—no one wants to look like they’ve forgotten to tidy up their digital house. (At least I hope they don't.)

How do you fix broken links?

Fixing broken links is easier than it sounds. Use tools like Google Search Console or third-party services like Ahrefs to scan your website for broken links.

Once identified, either update the link, redirect it to a working page, or remove it altogether to avoid harming your SEO. Easy!

Keeping your SEO healthy

SEO isn’t just a "set it and forget it" task—it requires ongoing love and care, especially as search engine algorithms evolve.

Regularly updating content, fixing broken links, and ensuring fast load times can help keep your website on Google’s good side.

Ignoring maintenance, on the other hand, can slowly chip away at your rankings, and before you know it, your site is buried on page 10 of search results—basically the internet’s version of a black hole.

And trust me—I'm really not hyperbolizing when I say that being low down in search rankings is a death sentence for your webpage. According to research by Delante, 92% of ALL website traffic originates from the first page of Google rankings. Ninety-two percent! If you're not high up, you're really hurting your chances.

How does website maintenance affect SEO?

Regular maintenance directly impacts SEO.

From optimizing page speeds to keeping URLs clean of broken links, every small effort improves your search engine visibility.

Content decay is a very real danger—but on the flip side, the better your site performs, the better Google treats it, keeping you high in the rankings.

What tools can help with website maintenance?

There are several tools that make maintenance easier.

From automated backup services like UpdraftPlus, to security solutions like Sucuri, to broken link checkers, these tools help you stay ahead of potential issues without manually checking everything.

How do you monitor your website's analytics as part of maintenance?

Website analytics tell you how users are interacting with your site.

Regularly checking metrics like page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates can help you spot issues early. If traffic suddenly drops, it could point to a broken link, a security issue, or an SEO problem that needs immediate attention.

Google Analytics is one of the most popular tools for keeping an eye on your webpage, but you can always look for the one that suits your needs the best.

Make the stats your friend and you'll be one step ahead of most web performance issues!

What Google Analytics metrics should you monitor for maintenance?

Certain Google Analytics metrics can serve as red flags for maintenance needs.

Keep an especially keen eye on page load times, mobile performance, and bounce rates.

If you notice that visitors leave your site quickly or certain pages take forever to load, it could indicate performance problems that need attention. Checking site speed, user behavior, and 404 errors via Analytics helps you stay proactive about maintenance.

What’s the role of email deliverability in website maintenance?

Email deliverability is often overlooked in maintenance but is critical if you use newsletters or forms.

Test your site's email functionality to ensure messages reach users’ inboxes and aren’t marked as spam. This is especially important if you regularly send order confirmations or password resets.

Per emailtooltester, around 10.5% of emails end up in spam folders—make sure you're not part of that statistic if you want to keep making SEO progress.

So, with this many things to consider when doing web maintenance, you may be wondering...

The cost of website maintenance isn’t a one-size-fits-all kidna deal.

It can range from "do it yourself for free (but at your own risk)" to "let the pros handle it and sleep easy." Here’s what influences the price:

Complexity of the website

A simple blog or portfolio site with a handful of pages? That’s like maintaining a bicycle. A full-blown e-commerce site with tons of products, a payment gateway, and customer accounts? That’s more like maintaining an airplane.

The more complex your website, the more moving parts there are to keep in check—so expect the cost to rise along with complexity.

Does the type of website affect maintenance needs?

The type of website you’re running directly impacts how much maintenance is required. Some types of websites have more content and a higher complexity of setup by default.

An e-commerce store, for example, needs constant attention to ensure transaction security and product updates. Meanwhile, a simple website for hosting the local basketball team's photos might have lighter maintenance demands.

Understanding your website type will help you plan for the appropriate level of care—and will help you stay ahead of unexpected costs!

Type of website maintenance services required

Just like different websites need different levels of maintenance, so too do they need different types of it.

Some websites just need basic upkeep: software updates, backups, and a quick check for broken links. Others might require more intensive work, like security audits, SEO optimizations, or custom plugin maintenance.

The more services you need, the more you’ll likely pay. It’s kind of like taking your car to the shop—you might just need an oil change, or you might need a whole new engine. The range of services you need will determine how much you’ll spend.

What’s the difference between scheduled and ad-hoc website maintenance?

There are types within types of maintenance—as I said, it's a pretty complex topic! 🤓

Scheduled maintenance includes routine tasks like updates, backups, and performance checks. Ad-hoc maintenance, on the other hand, happens when unexpected issues arise—like fixing bugs or patching security holes.

Both are crucial, but one effectively prevents the other—having a schedule reduces the frequency of emergency fixes.

How do hosting services impact website maintenance?

Your web hosting service can either make maintenance a breeze or a nightmare.

Some hosting providers include automatic backups, security checks, and updates, while others leave everything in your hands.

Choosing a host with solid maintenance features can save time and keep your website running smoother with less manual effort.

(You'll get some good options later on!)

How can small businesses budget for website maintenance?

So, knowing that web maintenance is needed by websites big and small, it's important to mention small businesses too.

Working on a tighter budget, website maintenance can seem like just another expense, but it's essential for keeping your online presence alive and kicking. The good news? Website maintenance doesn’t have to break the bank!

You can opt for basic packages that include regular updates and security checks or choose a plan that scales with your business needs.

Prioritize essentials like backups, security, and performance optimization, and you'll quickly realize that the myriad of pros far outweigh the few cost-related cons.

When it comes to website maintenance, the choice between DIY and hiring a website maintenance company can feel like deciding whether to assemble IKEA furniture yourself or pay for someone else to do it.

Both have their pros and cons, so let’s break it down:

What you can do on your own

There are plenty of maintenance tasks you can handle solo, especially if you’re somewhat tech-savvy. Sometimes it feels way easier than assembling IKEA furniture on our own, that much I can tell you!

Updating plugins, running backups, and fixing small issues like broken links are all doable if you’re comfortable with your website’s backend.

Think of it like changing a light bulb—you don’t need to call an electrician for that, right? Right?? No shame if you do, though!

How can you test your website for mobile performance during maintenance?

Websites on mobile devices come with their own set of gremlins (and they're not cute!).

Lucky for you, browser dev tools make it easy to see errors and understand how your site handles different screen sizes.

Look out for stuff like snail-slow load times, jumbled text, or buttons that are too tiny to tap. Regular testing keeps your mobile site smooth as butter, no matter what shiny new phone comes out next.

What you'll need the pros for

 

Forget I said anything about no more cats!

Some tasks are best left to the experts—especially if they involve deep technical knowledge or security.

Handling complex software issues, performing security audits, and optimizing your SEO strategy are areas where bringing in professionals makes sense.

It's like deciding whether to paint a room yourself or hire a professional painter. Sure, you could do it yourself, but would it look as good?

(Take it from the person writing this—there are depths to how badly you can paint your room yourself, and I've reached them all and overstayed my welcome.)

The perks of letting a digital marketing company handle it from top to bottom

Hiring a digital marketing company for full-service web maintenance services can save you time and headaches.

They’ve seen it all and have systems in place to handle the nitty-gritty—like disaster recovery plans, SEO management, and ongoing updates—so you can focus on running your business.

Plus, you get the added benefit of knowing your site is in expert hands, running smoothly and securely without you lifting a finger. And if there ever is an issue, you'll know exactly who to call to fix it—even in the middle of the night (though we do prefer to do it on enough sleep when we're feeling sharp!)

Don't forget that these companies will have website maintenance packages that you'll be able to adjust to your own needs, saving money and your sanity down the line!

What are the benefits of outsourcing website maintenance for small businesses?

Look, we're super aware of the whole cupboard of hats that small business owners wear. But wearing so many hats—and doing all the jobs you wear those hats for—is time-consuming (not to mention the effort it takes). So, for you guys, outsourcing website maintenance can be a lifesaver.

Hiring pros frees up your time to focus on what really matters—running your business.

Not only will you be at ease knowing that the backend of your website is safe and secure, but you'll also have a set of seasoned experts who can provide strategic advice to ensure your site aligns with your business goals, like optimizing for conversions or enhancing the customer experience. SEO to boost your visibility? Yup, they've got that covered too. If you're in luck, they'll even be food aficionados and be able to give you some kickass recipes.

In short, it's an investment that can pay off in bunches!

What’s the difference between front-end and back-end maintenance?

Front-end maintenance focuses on the parts of the website that users see—such as updating content, fixing broken links, or optimizing images.

Back-end maintenance deals with the behind-the-scenes technical stuff, like server performance, databases, and security settings. While many front-end tasks can be handled DIY, the back-end usually needs expert attention.

Tracking maintenance success: Google Analytics

After performing maintenance tasks, you can track your website’s performance improvements through Google Analytics.

For example, if you optimized your site for speed, you should see reduced page load times and improved engagement metrics like time on site and lower bounce rates.

Analytics helps you measure the impact of your maintenance efforts and refine your approach over time. Get familiar with the metrics and you'll be reading those little details like an open book!

If you’re wondering how often you should be setting a reminder on your phone for a website maintenance session, the answer is: more often than you think.

Regular maintenance tasks can be broken down into weekly, monthly, and annual tasks. Let's lay these out so you’re not overwhelmed by the process.

Here's what you can do weekly and monthly

Weekly tasks:

  • Check for software and plugin updates.

  • Review your analytics to catch any unusual traffic spikes or dips.

  • Test your site’s loading speed—slowdowns are a sign something’s off.

Monthly tasks:

  • Run a full backup of your site.

  • Check for broken links and fix any errors.

  • Review your SEO rankings and tweak content as needed.

These tasks help you catch small issues before they snowball into bigger problems. It’s like cleaning out your inbox on a weekly or monthly basis—annoying, but it keeps things manageable.

How often should you test website speed and performance?

Speed tests should be run at least once a month, if not weekly, to ensure that your website isn’t slowing down.

Slow websites not only frustrate visitors but also mess up your search engine ranking. Regular performance checks will help you catch issues before they affect user experience or search rankings.

How often should you update your website’s content?

Fresh content is key to keeping your website relevant and engaging.

Ideally, you should update your website’s content at least once a month. Regular updates not only improve user experience but also signal to search engines that your site is active, boosting your SEO.

Blog posts or update articles are an easy way of doing this while also staying in touch with your users.

And here are your annual maintenance tasks

Annual maintenance is your website's tune-up.

Once a year, you’ll want to do a deep dive into your site’s performance, security, and overall health.

  • Audit your security: Ensure your SSL certificate is up-to-date, and perform a thorough security review to patch any vulnerabilities. This includes security scans, performance optimization, and looking for potential vulnerabilities.

  • Evaluate your hosting plan: Is your hosting still meeting your needs, or are you outgrowing it? Upgrading might save you money and improve site performance.

  • Content updates: Review your site’s content, from blog posts to product descriptions. Update anything that feels outdated, and revisit your visuals and graphics. Keeping your content fresh is essential for continued growth.

Taking the time for a yearly review can prevent long-term issues and ensure your website continues running smoothly as your business grows, providing continually engaging content and a safe experience for users!

What’s the best way to create a maintenance schedule?

Creating a regular maintenance schedule helps you stay on top of tasks.

Break it down by daily, weekly, monthly, and annual tasks so you’re not overwhelmed.

Set reminders or use task management tools to ensure nothing slips through the cracks. Take the same approach as you would to any other tasks in your life that need continuous attention.

A monthly deep dive into your Analytics dashboard should also be on your list! It can help you track trends over time and spot potential issues early.

Set up alerts for critical metrics, so you're notified if something goes awry between those check-ins. It’s all about staying on top of things before they become major headaches!

And don't forget—digital marketing companies have weekly and monthly website maintenance packages, as well as year-long support, depending on your needs.

Look, we've designed a lot of websites at Worth The Journey—from e-commerce to travel guides and ecstatic dance pages, we've worked with different people and used different methods.

The one point connecting all of these is that each of the pages we create has to be easy to maintain since this step is done at least partially by the clients once they're ready.

With that said, here are the platforms we use to make websites that are not only visually stunning and beautifully functional—but also easy to maintain!

Squarespace

If websites could win beauty pageants, Squarespace would be wearing the crown—sleek, stylish, and effortlessly cool.

They’ve also got your back on the maintenance front, handling hosting, updates, and security on their own, without breaking a sweat.

But even the most glamorous websites need a little upkeep. You’ll still have to spruce up your content, double-check your mobile site (because nobody wants to squint at tiny text), and keep an eye on your images so they don’t take forever to load.

Running an online store? Better check your product listings and payment settings from time to time too—never hurts to double-check sensitive settings like this!

Wix

Wix is the drag-and-drop wonderland where building a site is reminiscent of stacking digital Legos.

When it comes to maintenance, Wix takes care of the techy bits like hosting, updates, and security, so you’re not stuck wearing the IT hat (because we all know that hat never fits right).

But don’t get too comfy—broken links, outdated content, and SEO gremlins can still sneak in. Wix has built-in tools to help you catch those troublemakers, but like any well-loved toy, it needs a bit of dusting off now and then to stay shiny.

Shopify

Shopify is like the Batman of e-commerce platforms—fighting off security threats and keeping your store running while you sleep. But without the raspy voice and collateral damage following him everywhere.

They handle the heavy stuff like updates, hosting, and SSL certificates, so you don’t wake up to your site throwing a fit (a.k.a. going down).

But, spoiler alert: even superheroes need sidekicks. You’ll still have to update your apps, freshen up those product listings, and make sure your checkout isn’t on vacation.

Shopify’s app store has some handy gadgets to help, but you’ll want to stay on top of things like the loyal sidekick you are.

Wordpress

For a somewhat different option, there's WordPress—the Swiss Army knife of website platforms. Whether you want a blog, an online store, or a full-blown corporate site, WordPress has got your back.

But here’s the catch: WordPress is open-source, which means you are the captain of this maintenance ship.

Sure, it’s flexible and powerful, but you’ll need to keep an eye on plugin updates, manage backups, and sometimes wrestle with the occasional bug like you’re in a digital rodeo.

Hosting, SSL certificates, and security? Yep, you’re in charge of that too.

But don't worry—there are plenty of plugins and pros out there ready to lend a hand when your WordPress-powered empire needs a little TLC.

Just be sure to check for broken links, optimize for speed, and keep your site fresh, or you’ll be watching it age like a loaf of bread left out on the counter.

Do you already have your favorite out of the four above?

Website maintenance really isn't glamorous, but it’s the backbone of keeping your site fast, secure, and user-friendly.

And no, not even a fancy wig and the shiniest clothes won't make you look fancy while doing maintenance.

Whether you’re tackling small tasks yourself or bringing in the pros for bigger jobs, regular upkeep is key to avoiding costly downtime and technical issues, boosting security, and keeping visitors happy. Think of it like owning a plant—you water it, give it sunlight, and occasionally re-pot it when it grows. And believe it or not, we own so many plants at Worth The Journey!

We don't really—well, at least not all of us—but in the spirit of the above allegory, we are really good at taking care of websites! And if you ever want to get our opinions or help with any of this, we'll be glad to stop being our usual glamorous selves and put on our serious glasses (🤓). You can book a free half-hour consultation here!

Treat your website with the same care you would your plants, and it’ll thrive. And if you ever struggle, we'll be there to help you out! 🚀

I hope I've covered any questions you may have had—but if not, you know where to find us! FYI: our pigeon post is currently out of order due to the pigeons demanding more seeds; please use more conventional means of reaching out!

 
Emir Bektic
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