Website Maintenance
Avoid data/content loss and unnecessary support and restoration-related costs by subscribing to a WordPress Website System Maintenance Plan.
Each WordPress site is a target, not because WordPress isn’t secure, but because it is so prevalent. WordPress has a share of more than 35% of the internet, which means there are huge payoffs for hackers who can figure out how to break in. Hackers don’t care how much traffic your site gets – they just want to use your site to send out spam or other nefarious things for a few days until you beef up your security, and then they move on.
Any time someone finds a security vulnerability in WordPress, the WordPress team releases an update to fix the vulnerability. The same goes for plugins and themes. On top of that, any time a security vulnerability is fixed, information about the problem becomes publicly available. That means that hackers know how to get into old versions of WordPress. So it is extremely important to keep your site updated to avoid getting hacked!
WordPress publishes new core releases as they become available; every few months or so, and sometimes smaller updates as often as weekly. In addition to the WordPress core, plugins (the bells and whistles that make your site so awesome) may also require updates on a regular basis. If the core and plugins become outdated, your site can lose functionality and become vulnerable to a plethora security threats that can lead to your database and files being erased, AND infect your visitors with malware.
Updates can also provide new features! Sometimes the features will be pretty exciting, sometimes you will hardly notice, but it’s always good to have access to all of the latest stuff.
The problem with a “if it ain’t broke…” mentality: You can’t keep running an old version of your site forever. Someday you’re going to (hopefully) want to update the look with a new theme, some bells and whistles, along with fresh content, and that will require your WordPress installation to be current. When updates are maintained, the less likely your web site will run in to problems, like crashing when updating from an antiquated version to the current one.
We’ve encountered this many times. When we’re hired to make changes to an existing site, it’s sometimes so outdated, we can’t perform the updates needed and we have to start over with a new site, and import their old content. For a small site, this might not be a big deal, but for complex sites, it can get very expensive.
Website system maintenance is vital to keeping your site functioning and secure from malicious threat. If you have requested we facilitate website hosting on your behalf, the following applies to you:
System Maintenance: Regular maintenance is required for website stability and security:
- Software Updates: Keeping website software (like WordPress, plugins, themes) and server software up-to-date patches security holes exploited by hackers.
- Backups: Regular backups prevent data loss in case of infection or accidental deletion.
- Security Measures: Implement firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and strong passwords to protect against attacks.
Client Responsibility: When hosting with a third-party vendor, the client shares responsibility for website security:
- Following Security Guidelines: Adhering to the hosting provider’s security policies.
- Regular Maintenance: Performing basic maintenance tasks or hiring professionals to do so.
Impact on Other Sites: On shared servers, one infected website can compromise others. If a website becomes infected, the hosting provider has the right to:
- Suspend the Account: To prevent the infection from spreading.
- Remove Infected Files: To clean the server and protect other clients.
- Terminate Service: In severe cases, the provider may terminate the client’s hosting contract.
Our Support and Maintenance Subscriptions offer reduced-rate digital design and support on a pre-paid basis.
A WordPress System Maintenance Subscription is strongly recommended to anyone with a WordPress website, as there are frequently issued updates that must be performed to maintain the integrity, functionality and security of your website.
Not keeping the core, plugins and theme of a WordPress website updated can cause irreversible damage and loss of a website. For a quote on vital maintenance AND ongoing content updates to keep your web site’s information up-to-date as your business changes and grows, contact us below: