Recently a client asked me about their website support plan. On the surface, my monthly tasks for upkeep aren’t obvious, and they were wondering what exactly they were paying for. I respect that. So I wanted to take some time to talk about what exactly happens with a website support plan, and why I stress its importance in the health of your website.
What is a website support plan?
Once you’ve got your website designed or redesigned, you might be thinking, “well, now what?” Is this where your journey with your designer ends? Not necessarily. In fact, now it’s more important than ever to have a professional who knows what they’re doing to help keep your website safe.
Simply put, a website support plan is a series of tasks that make sure your website is running smoothly and protected from anyone who wants to mess with it. We’ll talk about specifics later, but this can include things like updating plug-ins and checking links. Most of these things happen on a monthly basis so that nothing is missed and problems are discovered early.
The most significant aspect of website maintenance that I’ve discovered is that it actually prevents issues. By keeping their plugins updated and watching for key updates to software, my clients’ websites rarely have any down time and their businesses stay looking professional.
What does a website support plan cost?
Running a business is expensive! I know because I run one myself. The desire to save money is completely understandable. However, before we can talk about how much this plan costs, it’s important to talk about the hidden costs of *not* having a website support plan.
A Costly Mistake—Karen’s Story
My friend, Karen, had her business website built before we met. She was unaware of the need for a website support plan, however, she had heard of some other friends using my hosting services. One day Karen attempted to reach her website, only to find that it was down.
Panicked, she reached out to her website host. After almost an hour on hold, they assured her they would be able to fix the problem—provided she paid for a premium membership to access their security services. After hours spent on their chat line, she reached out to me to confirm what they told her and see if I could fix it instead. While I wish this was all that was wrong, Karen also found herself face to face with thousands of blog posts she did not write with links to illegal gambling websites and other scams. What a mess!
I moved Karen’s website to my hosting plan and went in to update neglected plug-ins, deleted all the blogs that had been posted, and added some security features for extra measure. I also noticed that her website did not actually have the malware that her original hosting company told her it did.
All her website issues were fixed. She ended up on my website support plan and hasn’t had an issue since.
What is included in a website support plan?
Had Karen already been on a website support plan, I would not have charged extra for anything I did above. Here are the things she gets when she entrusts me with the health and safety of her website:
Website Backups
I back up all the websites on my plans in a secure location. That way, if anything happens, you never have to worry about losing your entire website.
Security Scans
Hackers are getting better, and they are constantly looking for any little place they would be able to slip into your website and wreak havoc. Monthly scans allow me to watch for malware, cyberattacks, and other malicious digital issues.
Link Checks
You’d be amazed at how often links change. I check each page, link, and embedded feature annually so your customers are always able to access the information I provide.
Plug-In Updates
Some plug-ins update automatically. However, not all of them do, and it is always best practice to check all of them. Additionally, knowing how each of the plug-ins work helps avoid any potential problems or security issues.
Dedicated and Efficient Customer Service
Although many website hosting companies have their own customer service lines, some of them are huge companies with thousands of customers. Unfortunately, you are just a number. By contrast, I have a small number of clients so I can focus on them individually. This puts your website in the hands of someone who cares very deeply about your comfort and the well-being of your website. (If you’re considering working with me, please note that I have backup for those occasions that I’m off the grid.)
SEO Monitoring and Updates, Optional
Especially now, the landscape of SEO is constantly shifting. As a website design professional, I keep up on the latest trends, and I use that knowledge to increase your website’s visibility in the marketplace.
Website Ownership
When you host with some companies, they retain the rights to your website. Ultimately, you don’t own your content. However, with my website support plan, you retain full ownership and access to your website.
Ok, so, how much does a website support plan cost?
I know you’re hoping for a concrete number here, but I work with each of my clients to figure out a plan that works best for them. Together, we craft a website support plan that is tailored to the needs of their website (as well as their wallet). I encourage my clients to retain my services on a yearly basis for lower rates, but I have monthly options as well. My goal is for both of us to feel secure in this partnership. However, you will likely find our plans much less expensive than our competitors.
Can I maintain my own WordPress website?
As you retain full ownership of your website, you are more than welcome to maintain it on your own. If you feel comfortable checking your plug-ins, links, and maintaining protections against cyber threats, then you may be fine on your own. If you are a customer of mine, I would be happy to teach you how to maintain your website. You may want to set up monthly reminders so you don’t forget, though!
In Conclusion
A website support plan is a safeguard not only against malware and hackers, but can protect against broken links and dropping SEO ranks. You get access to a real person who cares about your website working as it should as well as personalized advice on website improvements.
If you’re ready to see how a website support plan can improve the health and well-being of your website, let’s chat. I am ready to help.
