The Importance of Website Maintenance

A well-designed website that attracts people is one of your company’s most significant assets. It is the foundation of your online presence and, in many instances, your company’s first touch point with new customers.

And while many business owners understand that a great website is vital to business, they may need help understanding how website maintenance can contribute to keeping your site functional and relevant.

What is Considered Website Maintenance?

Many businesses regularly update the content on their website, and while this task is vital from a marketing perspective, it’s different from regular website maintenance. Website maintenance can include a variety of tasks required to keep your site up to date. It includes updating the security, addressing any technical issues, and updating any tools or platforms needed for your site to operate.

Website maintenance can include tasks such as:

• Updating and cleaning your contact form database
• Completing security updates, updating the theme, core operations, and plug-ins, and debugging any errors that may be happening. 
• Testing the site visibility across multiple browsers
• Conducting regular backups to ensure your site can get back online quickly in the event of a cyber attack
• Ensuring all links work
• Testing forms for deliverability

The frequency in which these tasks are needed often varies depending on the website and any integrations. Some tasks may be required more often than others, while others are only needed annually; it depends on the website platform, security recommendations, and how often developers make available updates for plug-ins. For instance, security concerns and updates may be required more frequently to address emerging cyber threats. Failing to complete website maintenance regularly can leave your website vulnerable. Creating and following a maintenance schedule can help keep your website updated and secure.

What Are the Benefits of Website Maintenance?

A website is vital for advertising your company’s products and services, especially in a local, national, or global market. Many consumers may only interact with your company through your website, meaning their experience while on your site can dictate their loyalty to your brand.

Maintaining your website is vital for multiple reasons, including:

• Provides greater security and protection. The rate of cyber crimes is increasing exponentially every year. And cybercriminals often target small and medium-sized businesses, hoping their security measures will be more vulnerable than larger ones. Periodic maintenance, including updates, ensures that any gaps or vulnerabilities are fixed as soon as possible. This action can significantly reduce the likelihood of your business becoming a target or suffering losses if a cyber attack occurs.

• It can help you save money. The reality is that cyber attacks can be incredibly costly. The average cost of a cyber attack on a small business is $25,612. And larger companies have substantially more significant losses. While website maintenance requires resources and a cost commitment, it can also prevent a costly cyber attack. Unfortunately, many attacks also lead to greater consumer mistrust of the company and less long-term profit. Website maintenance can contribute to your business’s continued success and profitability.

• It can help you attract and retain customers. Nearly everyone has gone through an experience where they wanted to order something, but the website wasn’t working correctly. And consumers can quickly become impatient with technology. Website maintenance ensures that your customers have a positive experience while on your site, which can increase the odds that they will patronize your company now and in the future.

• It can enhance your brand image. A solid brand reputation is invaluable from a marketing perspective. But if your website is filled with bugs and needs to be fixed, they may feel they will receive poor-quality services or goods. By contrast, a modern, fully-functional, and up-to-date site will provide a professional image, which can help boost your brand within your industry.

• It can ensure compatibility with new technologies, algorithms, and tools. Even if you have a stellar website, failing to maintain it will quickly render it obsolete. Technology changes rapidly, so your site must evolve to meet expectations. Adequate maintenance can also contribute to keeping your site high in search result rankings, which also improves your brand image and can attract more customers.

A great website is the cornerstone of any company’s digital marketing plan. To learn more about website maintenance and how it can benefit your business, contact eGlobal Web Solutions.

eGlobal Web Solutions specializes in marketing your business via the digital marketplace. We use search engine optimization, social and review promotion, and Email marketing for all types of businesses, from local to global. We utilize various digital marketing techniques to increase your internet presence, optimize your traffic and generate new business.