A company’s website needs to be functioning smoothly at all times, or visitors may become frustrated, with potentially negative consequences. Effective website maintenance is a vital part of the business, but unfortunately, it is misunderstood in many ways. Here we dispel 14 popular misconceptions.
1. Website maintenance is quick
Website maintenance is quick In some instances, such as when working on very small, simple sites, it may be. However, because it is often an involved, complex process, maintenance can take a lot of time. That is why it is important to be understanding of your website design team and their workload.
2. Website maintenance is optional
Some people are under the impression that once they have paid for web design and had a site, that is all they need. They do not see the benefit in additional financial outlays. But if you have a website, maintenance is a necessity – without it, the site will slowly break down and disappear from search results.
3. Your website is complete
This is a myth. A website is a continual work in progress. It is always in need of monitoring, updates, tweaks and fixes.
4. New content is not maintenance
If you want to be found in the upper ranks of search engine results, then adding new content to your website is crucial. It is also necessary to keep visitors interested. In this way, updating your content can be seen as part of what keeps the site going.
5. Analytics is not maintenance
Looking at your website statistics to determine traffic numbers, visitor patterns and trends falls under the monitoring aspect of website maintenance and is important to determine strategies for the success and growth of your site.
6. It doesn’t need fixing until it’s broken
Some feel that maintenance work can wait until there is a big issue. However, websites constantly need attention to prevent issues arising.
7.Maintenance schedules are not necessary
The idea that maintenance can occasionally be performed, without a regular schedule, is problematic. Setting up and sticking to a set schedule is a reliable and effective way to ensure necessary maintenance happens and your website always functions smoothly.
8.Malware is something that happens to other people
The reality is that malware can stealthily infect any website, so regular checks need to be performed. The presence of malware can have very damaging effects on your clients and your reputation.
9. Hacking is something that happens to other people
Again, any website can be hacked. Hackers take whatever opportunities they can get. You might not even know that you have been a victim if you are not performing regular maintenance.
10. You need to perform maintenance yourself
It is not necessary to undertake this on your own. Maintenance work can be outsourced to dedicated website design departments.
11. Backups are only necessary occasionally
Making a backup of your website should be done according to a fixed schedule, to minimize the risk of loss and damage should a server crash – which is unpredictable.
12. Website speed is constant
Speed can fluctuate, so it needs to be monitored. If your site becomes sluggish, visitors may become frustrated, and traffic could decrease. Speed tests and fixes need to be done as part of routine maintenance.
3. You can leave old entries up forever
It is important to take down or archive outdated information, such as on events that have already happened. Keeping content fresh and relevant means more satisfied visitors and better search rankings.
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