Crafting a website isn’t just about nailing the looks and functionality; it’s also about playing the long game with top-notch upkeep. Think of it as keeping your online persona presentable for Google, ensuring your business not only survives online, but thrives. Plus, who wants visitors stumbling through a glitchy maze? Not cool. So, whether it’s weekly tweaks or yearly overhauls, having a website maintenance plan is your secret sauce to maneuvering through the online world. Need a roadmap? We’ve got your back with this ultimate guide to website maintenance. Trust us, you’ll want to bookmark this.
What is Website Maintenance?
Website maintenance isn’t just a one-time thing; it’s like giving your site a regular health check-up to keep it healthy and your potential customers happy. From beefing up security to serving up fresh content that keeps them coming back for more, it’s all about keeping your website up to current trends. Sure, some tasks are more urgent than others, but trust us, it’s all just as important.
Not only can regular maintenance help you look cooler online, but it can be a huge boost for your business. Making sure your website is accessible, easy to navigate, and leaves a good first impression can be the difference between no sales this month, and breaking the bar.
The Benefits
First Impressions Matter
Just like choosing a good first date, your website’s first impression can make or break the interest of potential customers. If your site feels outdated or glitchy, you might as well wave goodbye to potential leads. It sounds harsh, but it’s true. In fact, 94% of first impressions are all about the look and design of your site.
If your website looks like it would rival your MySpace page, it might be time for a redesign. Have employees left the company, but still show on the website? You might need to update the information. Making sure your website not only looks nice but includes accurate information is what first impression maintenance is all about.
Keep Their Trust
Just like keeping your word in a handshake deal, your online reputation can mean win or lose with returning customers as well. Website maintenance can make sure all your links are still working, current projects are updated, and new photos are constant. This lets customers know you’re still kicking, and still have the same attention to detail as the last time they worked with you.
Oh, and let’s not forget the need for speed. Your website should be running a load time of under two seconds. If you feel it’s slipping, it could deter people from your site. Bottom line? Your website needs to walk the talk, delivering the quality, reliability, and missions you promise.
SEO Is King
If you’ve been online for any length of time, especially if you already have a website, you already know the online space runs off SEO. Consider website maintenance your opportunity to spruce things up a bit. Make sure your links are working, keywords are updated, and information is correct. You never know what people are looking up to find you, and those new keywords can be the difference you’re looking for.
Website maintenance for SEO is simple enough, ranging from broken links to changing a few words here and there. However, those few words are what Big Google looks for when people search their engine. It can be as crucial as determining if you’re on the front of page one, or the dreaded page two of Google. Ranking positively on any search engine can drive positive traffic to your site while ranking poorly can do the exact opposite.
Stay Secure
You may not know, but it can be pretty easy to get into the backend of a website for hackers. Regular website maintenance can help protect your online space as the world changes. Renewing certifications, updating passwords, securing safeguards, and more should be done almost constantly. Think about it – your website holds tons of personal information, like your name, email, and potentially even credit card information and banking details.
Keeping your site’s security up-to-date constantly can prevent potential hackers from getting in.
How Often Do You Need Website Maintenance?
When it comes to the frequency of website maintenance, it all depends on your specific business. However, it’s considered a good practice to regularly perform regular website tasks throughout the year to ensure your website is keeping up-to-date with certain changes.
For certain tasks, such as security or basic information, these things are updated almost constantly, ensuring that your website is secure and informed. However, for tasks such as SEO or design, these things can be changed whenever you feel is right for your business. It’s also common to have an entire website redesign every few years to keep it fresh and keep those hearts in Google’s eyes.
Fix ‘Er Up With Three Ring Focus
Whether you’re just starting your marketing venture, or are looking to expand your already-successful business, we’ve got you covered. We’re the best of both worlds! Three Ring Focus is here to help you craft your next high-quality website, social marketing, or SEO strategy. Check out of some the work we’ve done for a little sneak peek. Don’t miss out on the benefits of having an expertly crafted website.