The Basic Website Care Guide: Must Know Maintenance Tips

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The Basic Website Care Guide: Must Know Maintenance Tips

Your website is a digital gateway to your business.

It’s your digital storefront. And like a physical store, it needs regular maintenance to ensure it stays in top condition.

Neglecting website maintenance can lead to a range of issues. These can include security breaches, broken links, outdated content, and poor user experience.

Basic website problems can cause friction for your customers. If these are not addressed, it will result in lost sales and a damaged reputation.

We’ll talk about important things you need to do regularly to keep your website running well.

Backups

It’s really important to make copies of your website and its information regularly. If something goes wrong, you can easily restore it to its previous state.

Backups can be automatic or manual, but either way, make sure you have a recent copy stored offsite.

Be sure to backup both your website files and your database.

Tip: Save time with automatic daily backups and test them occasionally.

Security Scans

Online dangers are increasing. It’s important to do regular checks to keep your website safe. Security scans and vulnerability assessments can help you identify any potential issues.

These scans can detect and reduce potential risks before they have a chance to harm your website.

Tip: Use automated tools to help you manage security scans.

Software Updates

It’s important to keep your website’s system, plugins, and themes updated. This helps keep your website secure.

Updates usually patch security vulnerabilities. They can also give you new features that enhance functionality.

Tip: Test updates on a staging or development site first. This ensures that any changes won’t affect your live website. Make a backup before performing updates.

Track Website Uptime

Use website monitoring tools to watch your online availability. They ensure your website is always accessible and operational.

These tools can notify and help you identify issues that may arise, such as server downtime.

Tip: Check your tools to see if they have a phone app to get notifications faster.

Content Review

Reviewing your website’s content regularly helps ensure it’s accurate, relevant, and fresh.

It’s essential to keep your website content updated. You should also get rid of any outdated or irrelevant content.

Tip: Consider your user’s journey when creating content.

Performance Optimisation

A slow website can drive users away.

Optimising your website’s performance can improve the user experience and engagement. This involves a range of techniques, such as caching and compressing files.

Lazy loading images can also help to reduce page load times.

Tip: Run performance tests to determine what improvements you need to make.

Test Forms

Test your website forms to ensure they are functioning correctly.

Broken forms can impact your lead generation efforts and push potential customers away.

Tip: Aim to test your forms every month.

Review SEO Elements

Conduct an SEO audit on your website.

Identify areas for improvement and optimise your website for improved search engine rankings.

Tip: Concentrate on making content that your intended audience will find valuable.

Check Mobile Responsiveness

More users are accessing websites from mobile devices.

Deliver the best user experience by testing your website on different mobile devices.

Tip: Look out for any design or functionality issues that can impact mobile users.

Review and Update Security Measures

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and security measures need to keep up.

Check and improve the ways you keep your website safe. Make sure your website is secure and protect the information of its users.

Tip: Stay up to date on the latest security measures and use them.

Regularly check your website for broken links. This makes sure:

  • there are no surprise errors like 404 pages,
  • your site easier to use, and
  • helps it perform better on search engines like Google.

Tip: Use automated broken link checkers to help you find and fix any broken links.

Review and Update Legal and Compliance Info

Make sure your website follows any laws / regulations that apply to it. This means having things like copyright notices, privacy policy, and terms of service.

Review them often and update as needed.

Tip: Create processes to help you track and review your website’s compliance regularly.

Track Website Analytics

Looking at your website analytics helps you see how people use your website. This helps you make data-driven choices to make your website work better.

Tip: Make sure to track goals and conversions. This allows you to measure the success of your website’s content and initiatives.

Check for Broken Functionality

Test your website features often to ensure they are working correctly.

Broken functionality can lead to a poor user experience and drive users away.

Tip: Test each update on a staging server before pushing it to production. This will ensure that any changes won’t affect the live website.

Review and Respond to User Feedback

Solicit feedback from your users and respond promptly to their concerns. This can help you make improve user experience and gain loyal users.

Tip: Make sure all user feedback is tracked and addressed in a timely manner.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Website Crumble

Website maintenance is an ongoing essential process and can be time-consuming. But it’s necessary to keep your website running well and protect your reputation.

Implementing regular maintenance tasks can ensure your website is secure and up-to-date. This helps visitors have a good experience when they come to your site.

Don’t let your website crumble! Keep your website updated and secure. A little maintenance goes a long way, ensure the long-term success of your website.

Recap

  • Automatic backups are an important way to ensure your website is always backed up. 
  • Do regular security scans and vulnerability assessments to mitigate potential risks.
  • Keep your website’s system, plugins, and themes updated. These will patch any vulnerabilities and enhance features.
  • Website monitoring tools can track website uptime and identify server downtime.
  • Regularly review content on the website for accuracy, relevancy, and freshness. 
  • Performance optimisation techniques can help improve the user experience.
  • Test forms monthly to ensure they are functioning correctly. 
  • Conduct an SEO audit for improved search engine rankings. Create valuable content for target audiences. 
  • Test mobile responsiveness across different devices. Delivery the best user experience possible.
  • Check security measures and update frequently to protect the website from cyber threats.
  • Check for broken links on a regular basis and use automated tools if available.
  • Check legal information regularly and stay updated with relevant rules and regulations.
  • Track website analytics to gain insights into how people use your website.

FAQs

Depends on your website. Back up your website consistently, at least once a week or after any major updates. Automated nightly backups are best.

Use SSL encryption, strong passwords, and update software regularly to secure your website. Review security measures often and use the latest security tools available.

At the very least monthly. Update any security vulnerabilities as soon as they’re available. Also, be sure to test any updates on a staging server before pushing it to production.

Performance optimisation techniques include caching, minifying files, compressing images, and others. You can do website tests to see what improvements you should make.

Test forms after major updates, and regularly to ensure functionality. Test at least once a month.

An SEO audit should consider keyword research, site structure, and on-page optimisation. You should also review off-page elements such as backlinks and social media. Use analytics to track success.

Ensure mobile responsiveness, optimise images, and use mobile-friendly design elements.

Implement regular security updates, backups, and scans. Use the latest security measures available to protect your website from cyber threats.

Automated tools like Google Search Console can be used for broken link checks.

Tracking analytics can provide insight into user behaviour, site traffic, and identify areas for improvement.

Limitless Networks, A Kerry Web Design Company

Our Website Maintenance and Support services will help keep your website running smoothly.

Contact us to learn more or download our free guide.

Santiago Duenas

Author

Web designer / speed enthusiast helping businesses to achieve their goals. Aims to provide fast, accessible, effective, and affordable solutions in the digital realm.