“Let's get the site built once and we'll use it for five years” is something you hear a lot. On paper it makes sense; in practice, a website goes backwards when it stands still, because everything behind it changes.
What changes around the site while it stands still?
- Browsers move on to new versions; sections written in old code start to look broken.
- Server software and plugins get security patches; systems that don't get them become vulnerable.
- SSL certificates have an expiry date; when they aren't renewed, the browser shows visitors a “Not secure” warning.
- Search engines update the way they assess sites.
- Your business changes: a new service, a new price, a changed phone number.
What happens without maintenance?
The three most common outcomes are these: malicious code gets onto the site through a component that wasn't updated; the domain or certificate quietly expires and one morning the site won't open; or the site is up but the information on it is wrong — a closed branch, a changed price.
The third is the most dangerous, because it shows no error. The customer arrives with the wrong information, and you lose their trust.
What exactly is maintenance?
- Regular backups, and testing that you can restore from them
- Server and software security updates
- Keeping track of SSL certificate and domain renewals
- Uptime monitoring: is the site really up?
- Content updates: prices, services, contact details
How does maintenance work with us?
Backups, security updates, SSL and hosting are part of the package. In the first year, these are included in the setup fee; from the second year on, they continue with the annual renewal fee. The scope and amount are written clearly on the pricing page.
On the content side, there are two ways: you can update it yourself from the panel, or open a support request and leave it to us.
