The Essential Guide to Ongoing Website Maintenance

BO HARVEY February 19, 2024

Maintaining a website is not a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process that requires regular attention to ensure your site continues to serve its purpose effectively. Whether you’ve just launched your site or it’s been up and running for a while, understanding and implementing routine website maintenance tasks is crucial for keeping your site relevant, secure, and engaging for your visitors.

Yearly Website Maintenance Tasks

Perform User Testing

It’s essential to regularly evaluate how user-friendly and intuitive your website is. People’s expectations and the ways they interact with the web evolve over time, so conducting usability testing annually ensures your site remains accessible and easy to navigate. This involves inviting individuals outside of your organization to explore your website across different browsers and devices, providing you with fresh insights into its usability. Acting on the feedback you receive is just as important as the testing itself to maintain an effective online presence.

Check Your Domain Name Renewal Status

Your domain name is a critical asset. Imagine the potential loss and inconvenience of finding out your domain has expired and is up for grabs to the highest bidder. To prevent this, check your domain name’s renewal status at least once a year. Setting up auto-renewal can save you from the hassle, but remember to update your payment details to ensure uninterrupted service.

Update Your Header, Footer, and Legal Policies

The header and footer of your website contain essential information and links that should remain accurate and up-to-date. Whether it’s your contact information, business hours, or navigation links, verifying these details annually helps avoid confusion and ensures your site remains professional and trustworthy. Moreover, reviewing your legal policies, such as Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, with a legal professional ensures compliance with current laws and regulations.

Quarterly Website Maintenance Tasks

Test Your eCommerce Features

If your website includes eCommerce capabilities, ensuring the purchasing process is smooth and error-free is paramount. Regularly conducting test purchases can help identify and rectify any glitches, preventing potential lost sales and maintaining a positive user experience.

Verify Functionality of Forms

Forms on your website, whether for contact, registration, or subscriptions, must work flawlessly to avoid missing out on valuable leads or inquiries. Testing these forms across various devices and browsers each quarter ensures they are reliably capturing and delivering user submissions to the appropriate recipients.

Address Broken Links

Broken links can frustrate visitors and harm your site’s credibility. Periodically scanning your website for dead links and either updating or removing them maintains a seamless navigational experience for your users.

Monthly Website Maintenance Tasks

Ensure Security

In an era of frequent cyber threats, keeping your website secure is non-negotiable. Regular checks for updates on your platforms, plugins, and scripts are crucial for protecting against vulnerabilities. Implementing updates promptly while verifying that your site’s functionality remains intact is a best practice for website security.

Backup Your Website

Regular backups are your safety net against data loss due to hacking or other unforeseen events. Whether you automate this process or manually back up your site, ensuring you have a recent copy of your website can make recovery much smoother in case of an emergency.

Optimize Website Speed

Your website’s loading speed significantly impacts user experience and search engine rankings. Monthly speed tests, using tools like Google’s Page Speed Insights, can help you identify and rectify issues that may be slowing down your site, ensuring a fast, efficient browsing experience for your visitors.

Weekly Website Maintenance Tasks

Review Key Metrics

Utilizing analytics tools such as Google Analytics allows you to monitor how visitors interact with your site, identify trends, and pinpoint areas for improvement. Regularly reviewing your website’s performance data helps you make informed decisions to enhance user experience and optimize your site’s effectiveness.

Conclusion: Don’t Cut Corners on Your Website Maintenance

Website maintenance is akin to maintaining your car or home; it’s essential for ensuring longevity and reliability. By integrating these maintenance tasks into your schedule, you can keep your website in top shape, providing value to your visitors and supporting your business or nonprofit organization’s goals.

If you find these tasks daunting or if you’re short on time or interest in handling them yourself, Compass Marketing Group is here to help. We offer comprehensive web maintenance services tailored to your business or nonprofit organization’s needs, allowing you to focus on what you do best while we ensure your website remains secure, up-to-date, and effective.