Do You Have To Update A Website? Does A Website Need Maintenance?
You just got your brand new website up and running. It took a lot of time and a whole lot of effort, but it's finally done - time to sit back, relax, and watch it bring lead after lead into your business.
You might think now is the time to take it easy. You've completed all the hard work, your website looks fantastic, and it's working exactly the way it should.
But, the thing is, your beautifully-crafted website is probably already out of date.
The frustrating reality of the internet is everything is constantly improving and evolving at an incredibly high rate. So, to stay relevant and secure, your website has to be continuously updated with new content, new security features, and new software to keep up with the fast pace of the online world.
73% of websites are currently running on outdated and vulnerable software and 87% of websites have high or medium-level cyber security risks. These are only two examples of why updating your website is so important.
Now, we're not talking about updating your website every single waking hour of the day - that's impossible! But, if you leave your website for a long time without posting a blog or updating your content, then it's going to go out of date.
Most of the time, not updating your website’s content is an easy fix. But not being up to date on your security or plugins can lead to serious problems!
Luckily, updating and maintaining websites is pretty straightforward. Plus, most digital agencies offer packages to their clients that keep their websites looking stunning and working perfectly all year round.
Today we're going to go through everything you need to know about making sure your website is updated and working as it should.
What’s involved in website maintenance?
Website maintenance includes a lot of different things but it’s essentially the upkeep of your website including the platform and the CMS you’re using.
Here are a few things you should definitely be maintaining and updating regularly.
CMS Updates:
- Security patches
- Updating plugins
- Fixing bugs
Maintenance Also Includes Things Like:
- Cross-browser testing
- Device compatibility
- Regular server backups
- Content upgrades
- Blog posts
- Updating imagery
- Plugin updates
If The Agency You're Working With Offers A Website Maintenance Package It'll Usually Include Additional Services Like:
- Hosting costs
- Minor future design edits
- Development
- Marketing
- Support
- Ongoing content updates
Why Does Website Maintenance Matter?
Having regular monthly website maintenance will keep your website:
- Up to date
- Safe to use
- Working the way it should
Not regularly updating your website will leave your site vulnerable to:
- Hackers
- Bugs and viruses
- Browser incompatibility issues
Let's take a look at five reasons why you should update and maintain your website regularly!
It Keeps You Secure From Hackers
Unfortunately, there are a lot of hackers hiding on the web, just waiting for the right moment to strike and steal your precious data.
Making sure your website is up to date will ensure the security of your data, especially if you're using an open-source platform like WordPress.
WordPress is prone to attacks from hackers because a lot of companies over the world use it. With thousands of themes, plugins, and add-ons available on the platform, it tends to be vulnerable to security issues. So, even the most dedicated security plugins on WordPress have to be updated to keep your site secure!
It's usually best to let your website developer complete these updates for you so you can rest assured knowing your website is secure for you, your employees, and your clients.
Having an updated and maintained website will also give your users peace of mind because they know the information they submit to your forms or the payment details they include aren't going to be leaked or shared by hackers.
It Improves Usability
Usability is another massive issue for websites that aren't updated regularly.
For example, if you're a small online store or have a booking system on your website, bugs will attack! Broken links and other issues will start cropping up from time to time, making it difficult for your users to operate your website.
The solution is easy! Make sure everything is updated so your visitors can easily use your website.
By having an updated and maintained website, you'll be able to ensure that your website is easy to use, navigate, and operate at all times.
If the usability of your website falters, you could end up losing clients just because they couldn't simply add a product to their basket. 88% of people are also less likely to return to a website if they had a bad experience. Be sure to check that your website is working perfectly by enlisting the help of a talented developer.
You’ll Provide Your Audience With The Latest Information
Your audience doesn't want to see the old stuff you sold over a decade ago. They want to see the updated, new version of your products and services. They want to know what's new in your world!
By providing your audience with all the latest information on what products you offer or what your services can do, you'll be able to entice them to convert and work with your business.
You should also demonstrate to your audience that you are capable of giving them an exceptional customer service experience because you know everything there is to know about your industry.
Give your audience the information they need to know so they can make an informed decision about working with you.
This could include:
- Writing relevant and valuable blog posts
- Updating your website copy
- Sending out newsletters
- Offering free downloadable
Show them why you're the expert in your niche and why you're worth their time and dedication by updating your content and your website.
It’ll Enhance Your Credibility
If your website looks outdated, doesn't load quickly, or has content that hasn't been updated in over a decade, then you're going to run into some credibility trouble.
By giving your website the love and attention it deserves, you'll be able to provide your audience with a fresh website every time they load up your site. This will enhance your credibility and frame you as a trustworthy company to work with.
But! If your website isn't updated, has security issues, and is just downright buggy as hell, then your visitors are going to leave and go straight for your competitors instead.
Make sure your website represents your brand in a positive light so you can continue to get more leads in through the door.
Your Website Will Perform Better On Search Engines
Did you know that keeping your website updated and maintained can actually boost your SEO (search engine optimization) and get your website higher up the search results?
By making sure your website works perfectly and doesn't have any security breaches, Google will see that you're a trustworthy business and suggest your site to its searchers.
Plus, if you're constantly upgrading your content and providing up-to-date information for your audience, Google will see this and boost your website to the top of the search results for relevant keywords.
Update your content and keep on top of the ever-changing trends in your industry to stay on Google's radar!
We hope our blog on why you should update and maintain your website has helped you realize the importance of website maintenance.
If you don't currently have a website maintenance package or think your website is in need of a little TLC, then our team would love to help you out.
We're the experts at improving websites for small businesses and would be happy to get your website back into top condition.
Start giving your website the love it deserves to keep you and your clients happy - get in touch today.