So, you’ve got a fantastic website for your small business. It’s your digital storefront, your 24/7 salesperson, and often, the first impression potential customers have of you. Because of all this (and more!), small business owners need to understand that taking care of a website requires ongoing attention and care. Just like your car needs oil changes or your office needs a good clean, your website thrives on regular maintenance. Neglecting it can lead to significant costs beyond just minor issues.
Why You Really Need Website Maintenance (Beyond the Obvious)
We all know the basics: keep your content fresh, and make sure your contact forms work. But let’s dig a little deeper into what website maintenance actually prevents and why it’s a non-negotiable for your business’s health.
1. The Silent Killer: Website Downtime and Lost Revenue
Imagine your physical store suddenly shutting its doors for hours or even days. That’s what website downtime is like. It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s a direct hit to your bottom line. Did you know that for small businesses, downtime can cost anywhere from $137 to $427 per minute? That’s not just big businesses losing millions—that’s real money out of your pocket! Regular monitoring is crucial for detecting these issues before they develop into major problems.
2. The Invisible Threat: Security Breaches and Reputation Damage
You might think small businesses fly under the radar for hackers. Think again. Small businesses account for a whopping 43% of all cyberattacks annually, and on average, they lose around $25,000 due to these attacks (Source: ASTRA Security). It’s not just financial, either. A security breach can destroy customer trust and confidence in your business. Over 60% of small businesses fold within 6 months of a breach, and nearly 80% of consumers will stop using a business if their information is compromised (Source: Snellings Walters). Scary, right? Proactive security measures are your best defense.
3. The Slow Slide: User Experience, SEO, and Losing Customers
Have you ever clicked on a link only to be met with an error page? Or did you have to wait forever for a website to load? We all have. This isn’t just annoying; it hurts your business.
- Slow websites: Even a one-second delay in page load time can result in a 7% decrease in conversions. People are impatient, and they’ll bounce to your competitor if your site drags.
- Broken links: They’re a red flag to Google and other search engines. A website littered with broken links signals to search engines that your site is neglected, which can negatively affect your SEO rankings and make it harder for new customers to find you.
- Accessibility issues: This is a big one that’s often overlooked. Did you know that over 96% of the world’s top one million web pages have detectable Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) failures? This means millions of potential customers with disabilities are being excluded from your website. Beyond being the right thing to do, ensuring your website is accessible expands your audience by 25% and helps avoid potential legal issues.
What Does Proper Website Maintenance Look Like?
At MYOB, we believe in taking initiative with our thorough approach to website maintenance. It’s about more than just keeping the lights on; it’s about making sure your website is a strong, secure, and high-performing asset for your business. Here’s a peek behind the curtain at the kinds of tasks we tackle:
Our “Set Up” Tasks (Laying the Foundation):
- Constant Monitoring: Our software acts like a diligent security guard, checking your website every 5 minutes. If your site goes offline, even for a moment, our webmaster is immediately notified. This means we can often fix issues before you even know they exist.
- Bulletproof Backups: We set up regular, automated backups, with your database backed up daily and all your website files monthly. These copies are stored securely on a separate cloud server, and we also save a monthly copy to a local “Network Attached Storage” unit. This “belt and suspenders” approach ensures you have both local and cloud copies, so no matter what happens, your site’s data is safe.
- Fortified Security: If your website doesn’t already have one, we’ll install a robust security plugin to act as your first line of defense against cyber threats.
Monthly Maintenance Essentials: Keeping Your Website Running Smoothly
- Updates Galore: We make sure all your plugins and WordPress core are updated. Why is this so important? Updates aren’t just about new features; they patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and ensure compatibility with the latest web standards. Over 80% of hacked WordPress sites had outdated plugins or themes. Don’t let your website be one of them!
- Broken Link Patrol: We diligently scan for any broken links. This keeps your site user-friendly and helps your SEO.
- Deep Security Scans: We run comprehensive security scans of all your website files to catch any lurking malware or suspicious activity.
- Accessibility Review: We check your homepage for accessibility issues, helping to ensure your site is usable by everyone.
- Database Cleanup: We run your website’s database through a cleaner. Think of it as tidying up your digital storage space; this process enhances the speed and efficiency of your site.
- Image Compression Scan: Large, unoptimized images can significantly decrease the speed of your site. We run a scan to make sure all your images are compressed for optimal speed.
- Email Delivery Check: We check to confirm that all site-generated emails (like contact form submissions or order confirmations) are being delivered reliably.
Ready to Transform Your Website into a High-Performing Asset?
Your website is a vital part of your small business. Don’t let it become a source of stress or lost opportunities. Just like any other valuable asset, it needs consistent care to thrive. By investing in professional website maintenance, you’re not just fixing problems; you’re preventing them, protecting your reputation, and ensuring your online presence is always working for you.
Isn’t it time your website worked as hard as you do? Get in touch to learn more and to talk about your website design and management needs.