website maintenance is keeping a site working, secure, and up to date after it goes live.
what maintenance includes
software updates: cms and plugins need regular updates for security patches and bug fixes.
security monitoring: checking for malware, hacking attempts, and vulnerabilities.
backup management: regular backups so the site can be restored if something breaks.
uptime monitoring: checking the site loads correctly and stays online.
ssl certificate renewal: keeps the site secure and prevents browser security warnings.
domain renewal: prevents the domain expiring and taking the site offline.
what maintenance does not include
content changes: adding new pages, updating text, swapping photos.
design changes: layout modifications, colour changes, style updates.
new features: adding functionality that did not exist when the site was built.
why maintenance matters
security. outdated software is vulnerable to hacking. hackers target old cms versions specifically because the vulnerabilities are known.
performance. updates include speed improvements and bug fixes that affect how the site runs.
compatibility. browsers update constantly. old code stops working in new browser versions.
search rankings. google penalises hacked sites and sites with expired ssl certificates.
legal compliance. privacy laws change. a site needs updating to stay compliant.
what happens without maintenance
site gets hacked. spam injected, redirects added, customer data exposed.
site breaks. browser updates make old code stop working. the site looks broken to visitors.
domain expires. forget to renew and someone else can register your domain name.
ssl expires. browsers show security warnings. customers leave.
maintenance costs
diy: free, but requires technical knowledge and regular time investment.
one-off updates: £50–150 when you remember to do it. risky if you forget.
managed hosting: £10–30 monthly. hosting company handles technical maintenance.
web designer: £50–200 monthly. maintenance plus content update allowance.
computer web: £10 monthly from year two. domain renewal, ssl renewal, security monitoring, backups, uptime checks, and up to 15 minutes of content edits monthly.
computer web maintenance
everything above is handled. domain renewed, ssl renewed, security monitored, backups running, uptime checked. no technical knowledge required.
up to 15 minutes of content edits included monthly — text corrections, contact detail updates, single image replacements. additional edits at £25 per hour.
website: £249. first year hosting included. maintenance included from year two at £10 per month.
based in mere, wiltshire. work anywhere.