WordPress is loved by over 30% of websites and makes up 60% of websites with content management systems. WordPress is especially popular among big brands such as The New York Times, People Magazine, National Geographic, Forbes and Snoop Dogg.
To stay on top of WordPress and the third party integrations (Plugins), data is constantly being integrated so it’s important to do regular WordPress website maintenance and updates.
You should keep your site up-to-date with the latest versions of WordPress, themes, and plugins. This will increase your website’s security, usability, and performance for your visitors. We can’t build a website for you if you don’t plan to maintain it.
WordPress Website Maintenance Components
When it comes to maintenance, it’s important to know the different aspects that make up a WordPress site.
- WordPress CMS Core Files
- WordPress Theme
- Plugins
The three components of the CMS WordPress, plugins, and themes–are all updated independently by their respective developers. This means that there are updates, often fixing bugs or improving features, available pretty much every day. However, these updates to fix minor things often also include patches for security threats that could allow unwelcome access to your site–a hack.
What can happen to your WordPress website when you don’t update?
The cost of NOT updating your website will surely cost you more in the long run. Sites that are not maintained can die a slow death with slow or poor functionality until they just stop working one day. You might also find that your site displays something like a “white screen of death” or an error message when you visit it.
Get rid of expensive nuisances with proper WordPress website maintenance
Hacking your website can cause serious consequences. The first consequence is how much of a hassle it is to clean up the damage. However, the most concerning matter is that if Google detects your site has been hacked, they may erase all data and remove your site from search engine results. Depending on the severity of the hacking, you may be sending hundreds or thousands of dollars to security experts as well as severely damaging your reputation with customers.
Find the right WordPress maintenance plan for your business’ site
Another type of problem when choosing a WordPress maintenance plan is that not all plans match needs. If you have no experience with websites and you’re a small business, it can be tough to decide which maintenance plan is the right one. There might also be some overpriced or overkill maintenance plans for your kind of business website.
There are many levels of WordPress maintenance plans available for purchase on the market today, with prices ranging wildly from $20 a month to well over $1000 per month. How do you know which plan is right for you?
What are the essentials for WordPress website maintenance?
In order for a WordPress website to function properly, routine website maintenance is needed. If a WordPress website includes blog posts, the most common form of domain content, then the aforementioned maintenance should cover the following:
- Regular updates of WordPress core files, themes, and plugins can help to prevent hacking.
- Regular FULL backups of your site (All website files and Database)
- Backups should be stored off-site (in case of a disaster).
Learn about the features WordPress offers for website maintenance
If you want to take the health of your business website seriously, consider a plan with some or all of the following features:
- Website Uptime monitoring.
- Monthly Performance and Maintenance report.
- Support hours.
- Security monitoring and regular scanning.
- Regular real time backups
WordPress maintenance is your website’s Insurance
Your website is one of the most important pieces of advertising for you business. It identifies you as a professional, attracts potential clients and establishes your credibility in the industry. Spending time maintaining your website will protect your reputation in the industry. The question should be not “How much will maintenance cost?” it should be “What will it cost me if I don’t have it?”
