Website maintenance explained simply

Maintenance d'un site internet
Publié le 25 May 2024
Ecrit par BEKHTI Assam

Website maintenance is essential to ensure its proper functioning and long-term performance. A website is not created to be left without any upkeep. It involves various technical and creative aspects to keep your site up to date and running optimally.

What is website maintenance?

Corrective maintenance

Corrective maintenance of a website involves fixing bugs and technical issues that may arise. This can include problems with the design, content, or functionality. It is important to respond quickly to avoid any negative impact on user experience.

Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance of a website aims to anticipate potential problems and prevent security vulnerabilities. This includes regular updates of the CMS like WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, etc., as well as the extensions, plugins, and themes used on your site. It is also recommended to perform frequent backups to avoid any data loss in case of a problem. Website maintenance can also include tasks related to SEO to improve your site’s visibility on search engines. This can include optimizing meta tags, managing keywords, creating quality content, etc.

Enhancement maintenance

Enhancement maintenance of a website aims to anticipate and improve the site’s performance and features. This can include:

  • Design updates: To improve usability and user experience
  • Adding new features: To meet the changing needs of users
  • Code optimization: To improve loading times and mobile compatibility

Investing in enhancement maintenance helps keep your website competitive and up-to-date, which can:

  • Boost user engagement
  • Strengthen your brand image
  • Set you apart from competitors

By continuously improving and developing your website, you can ensure its long-term performance in the ever-evolving online market.

Website maintenance can be handled internally by your technical team or by a specialized web agency. Some hosting providers also offer maintenance services to ensure proper functioning.


Why is website maintenance important?

Maintaining your website is like maintaining a car. Without it, your site can have performance and security issues. It’s a strategic investment for the success of your online presence. By keeping your WordPress site up-to-date, secure, and performing well, you can:

  • Attract more visitors.
  • Improve user experience.
  • Strengthen your brand image.
  • Avoid problems that can harm your online success.

Preventing Bugs and Security Vulnerabilities

Regular updates fix bugs and security vulnerabilities. Hackers often target outdated sites. By maintaining your WordPress site, you reduce the risk of hacking and protect your users’ data.

2FA Security

Two-factor authentication (2FA) protects your hosting account from unauthorized access. In addition to the password, 2FA sends a code to your phone or authentication app. Even if a hacker has your password, they won’t be able to access your account. This measure stopped a hack that lasted over a year, severely impacting a company’s SEO. We’ll discuss this in more detail in an upcoming article.

Optimizing SEO and User-Friendliness

Search engines like Google prefer sites with fresh and relevant content. By regularly updating your site, you improve your organic search ranking. You also provide a better user experience, increasing traffic and visitor loyalty.

A well-maintained site is more likely to rank higher in search results. This increases its visibility and appeal to users.

Preservation of Brand Image

A poorly functioning website can harm your company’s reputation. By keeping your site in good condition, you show that you care about the user experience. You strengthen trust in your brand.

A well-functioning site demonstrates that your company is professional and trustworthy. Conversely, a buggy or slow site gives a bad impression. Investing in your site’s maintenance is also investing in your brand image. This can have a positive impact on your long-term business success.

The Various Aspects of Website Maintenance ⬇️

Now that we understand the importance of maintenance, let’s explore its essential aspects:

Regular Content Updates

Keeping content fresh attracts and retains visitors. Schedule regular updates to your WordPress site. You can do this by adding new articles, updating information, and optimizing relevant keywords. This ensures your site remains engaging for visitors while improving its ranking in search engines. By offering updated content, you demonstrate your commitment to your audience. This will strengthen trust and loyalty among your site visitors.

Security and Data Protection

Security is paramount to protect your data and your users’ privacy. Implement robust measures such as:

  • Regular security updates
  • Frequent backups
  • Proactive monitoring for suspicious activities.

In the event of an attack, you can react quickly and minimize potential damages. This can be done while maintaining your users’ trust in the security of their information. Investing in the security of your WordPress website is an essential way to safeguard your reputation and demonstrate your commitment to user data privacy and security.

Performance Optimization

Good website performance is essential for providing an optimal user experience. Monitor your page loading times:

  • To ensure they load quickly,
  • Optimize images and code to reduce file sizes,
  • Ensure your site is mobile and tablet-friendly (Responsive).

This ensures smooth navigation, enhancing user satisfaction and reducing the risk of them abandoning your site. By ensuring your site operates efficiently and quickly, you can maximize user engagement and increase conversions on your site.

Schedule a consultation for your website

Steps for effective website maintenance

Now that you understand the importance of maintenance, here are the steps to keep your site in good condition:

Initial Assessment

Start by checking the current state of your site. Identify existing problems and areas needing special attention. This will help you create an effective and realistic maintenance plan.

Maintenance Planning

Develop a detailed maintenance plan tailored to the specific needs of your site. Determine the tasks to be performed, their frequency, and the required resources. This includes content updates, regular backups, and security measures.

Execution and Monitoring

Implement your maintenance plan and regularly track progress. Adjust your plan as needed to address new challenges or changes to your site.

How much does website maintenance cost?

The cost of website maintenance can range from €50 to €200 per month for a showcase site. This depends on several factors:

FactorsDescription
Site SizeNumber of pages and content
Platform ComplexityTechnologies used
Required ServicesType of support and frequency
Factors determining the price of website maintenance.

You can handle maintenance internally or hire a web agency.

E-commerce and e-learning sites

For e-commerce or e-learning sites, the cost varies based on the type of maintenance:

Type of MaintenanceCost per Month
Preventive Maintenance€100 to €350
Corrective Maintenance€100 to €350
Enhancement Maintenance€350 to €1000 or more
Costs for e-commerce / e-learning website maintenance.

The cost depends on hourly quantity, technological needs, and maintenance frequency.

For e-commerce or e-learning sites on SAAS, some web agencies charge differently. They take a percentage of revenue between 2% and 10%.

Whichever option you choose, make sure to assess potential costs and select a solution that fits your needs and budget.

Repairing a Hacked Website

Repairing a hacked website is an urgent and delicate task. As a web agency, we proceed methodically.

Step 1: Diagnosis

The client pays a fixed amount to identify the security breach. Then, we provide a detailed report to the client. We explain our intervention method and the time required. The report includes a quote, often between €50 and €150 per hour.

Step 2: Intervention

Once the offer is accepted, we begin the intervention. We remove backdoors and malicious code. Then, we implement enhanced security measures.

Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring

After cleaning and securing the site, we implement continuous monitoring. We detect any suspicious activity in the future. We regularly back up data to minimize losses in case of another attack.

Your website has been hacked and you need urgent intervention on your website?

website
hakhed!

In conclusion, repairing a hacked website requires a prompt response, technical expertise, and constant vigilance to prevent future intrusions and ensure the long-term security of your site.

Conclusion

Website maintenance is essential for any website management strategy. By taking care of your site, you ensure its proper functioning, security, and longevity on the web. Feel free to ask questions or share your experiences in the comments below. Our team is here to help you keep your website in top shape!

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