As part of my transition from web designer to digital consultant, I now offer maintenance contracts for my clients’ shiny new websites. Why? Because no matter what your designer might tell you — your site isn’t finished once it goes live.
If anything, launch day is just step one.
I’m a big advocate for iterative design, and maintenance contracts fit perfectly into that mindset. Once a site is live, we monitor its performance, gather real user data, and make continuous improvements — whether that means tweaking the design, fixing UX bottlenecks, or improving load times.
Here are six solid reasons you should be taking out a maintenance contract for your WordPress website:
1. Your Website Is Never Really Finished
Just because your site is live doesn’t mean it’s complete. In fact, that’s when the real work begins. I evaluate site performance regularly for all clients on maintenance contracts. If something isn’t performing as it should, we fix it.
That means:
- Ongoing analysis
- Iterative design updates
- Real improvements based on actual users
This isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it scenario. Websites are living systems — and they need nurturing.
2. Your Website Should Be as Secure as Possible
No website is unhackable. And WordPress — while brilliant — is a common target.
Here’s what proper hardening should look like:
- Disable file/plugin editing in the dashboard
- Add two-factor authentication
- Restrict login by IP address
- Configure
.htaccesswith security rules - Keep everything up to date
- Use a firewall
My maintenance clients get Wordfence Premium, daily malware scans, and ongoing plugin/theme/core updates. No cutting corners.
3. Your Website Should Be Backed Up Daily
I use the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- 3 copies
- 2 different formats
- 1 off-site location
Backups are taken daily. So if disaster strikes (server crash, plugin meltdown, accidental deletion), I can restore everything quickly, with minimal disruption to your business.
4. Your Website Should Be Monitored
If your site goes offline and you don’t know about it — that’s a problem.
I monitor every site I maintain every 5 minutes. If anything goes down, I get notified instantly. That means I can get your site back up before your customers even notice.
5. You Shouldn’t Just Take Your Website and Run
I don’t just maintain websites — I maintain relationships.
Every maintenance client gets one full day of my time each month for tweaks, updates, fixes, or advice — all at 70% off my usual rate.
That means:
- You stay in control
- Your site keeps improving
- You have ongoing support, not just a handoff
Too many people go live, part ways with their designer, and miss out on everything their site could be doing for them. Don’t be one of them.
6. You Should Let Me Maintain Your WordPress Website
So that’s the pitch. These are just a few of the reasons why website maintenance is worth it — both for your peace of mind and the long-term success of your site.
If you’d like a quote or want to chat about what’s involved, get in touch — I’d love to help.