Yes, your website still needs regular care. Skipping maintenance is like leaving your shop unlocked overnight: it might look fine for a while, but risk (and lost revenue) pile up fast.
Keep the bad guys out. Small businesses are 350% more likely to face phishing, ransomware, or spyware attacks than large firms. Updating your CMS, plugins, and SSL certificates closes the doors hackers love to pry open.
Website maintenance isn’t just about fixing bugs. It covers:
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- Security updates to prevent hacking or malware
- Speed improvements as browsers and devices evolve
- Content updates to keep your info accurate and engaging
- SEO tweaks to stay visible in search and AI tools
- Form and feature checks to ensure everything still works as expected
Risks of NOT maintaining your website:
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- Increased exposure to security threats and data loss.
- Potential for slower site speed, higher bounce rates, and lower rankings.
- Broken functionality (forms, plugins, integrations) and outdated content.
- Loss of user trust and eventual revenue decline.
Quick DIY checklist
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- Schedule monthly software and security updates.
- Run a weekly backup (automated is best).
- Set calendar reminders to refresh or repurpose key pages every quarter.
Pair maintenance with a simple uptime alert app so that when something breaks, you’ll know before your customers do.