Before delving into the common website maintenance mistakes, it is important to understand what is website maintenance.
Website maintenance refers to the ongoing process of keeping your website up-to-date, secure, and functioning as intended.
It includes multiple tasks, such as:
Security Updates: Installing security patches for your content management system (CMS), plugins, and themes to address vulnerabilities and prevent cyberattacks.
Content Updates: Refreshing website content with new information, products, services, or blog posts to maintain user engagement and improve search engine ranking (SEO).
Performance Optimization: Monitoring website speed and implementing strategies like image compression and code minification to ensure fast loading times.
Broken Link Repair: Identifying and fixing broken links that lead to error pages (404 errors) and hinder user experience.
Backups: Create regular backups of your website data to ensure you can restore it in case of technical issues or security breaches.
4 Common Website Maintenance Errors
Effective website maintenance requires a comprehensive approach:
1. Security Updates
Consider implementing automated update processes of your CMS, themes, and plugins whenever possible.
This minimizes the risk of missing critical security patches and streamlines maintenance efforts.
In addition to installing updates, use vulnerability scanning tools to proactively identify potential security weaknesses in your website's code, plugins, and configurations.
Enforce strong password policies for all website administrator accounts. Implement multi-factor authentication (MAF) for added security.
2. Website Uptime and Performance Monitoring
Configure website monitoring tools to send alerts via email or SMS in case of downtime or performance degradation. This allows for prompt intervention to address any issues.
Use website performance optimization tools to identify areas of improvement, such as image compression opportunities.
3. Website Analytics Review
Set up conversion tracking within your website analytics to measure the effectiveness of calls to action (CTAs) and identify areas where use journeys can be optimized to improve conversions (e.g., sales, and sign-ups).
4. Content Review and Update
Evaluate the continued relevance of website content to your target audience and industry trends.
Develop strategies for refreshing content, such as updating statistics, revising product information, or expanding on existing topics.
For outdated content that no longer serves a purpose, consider removing it from your website and redirecting users to relevant, up-to-date content.
Website Maintenance Checklist
Maintaining a website is an ongoing process, but with a well-defined checklist, you can ensure your website runs smoothly, stays secure, and delivers an optimal user experience.
Weekly Tasks
Security Updates: Check for and install security updates for your CMS (e.g., WordPress, Joomla), themes, and plugins. Consider subscribing to security notification services from your CMS provider or plugin developer.
Website Uptime and Performance Monitoring: Use website monitoring tools to track uptime and identify any downtime occurrences. Monitor website performance metrics like page load speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
Website Analytics Review: Analyze key website analytics metrics using tools like Google Analytics. Focus on metrics like website traffic, user engagement (bounce rate, time on site), and conversion rates.
Basic Content Review: Briefly scan the website content for accuracy and timeliness. Pay attention to news articles or blog posts with outdated information and schedule them for updates.
Monthly Tasks
Full Website Backup: Create a complete backup of your website data, including databases, files, and images. Explore the backup options offered by your hosting provider or consider using a dedicated backup service. Store backups securely off-site to ensure accessibility in case of emergencies.
Comprehensive Content Review and Update: Conduct a thorough review of all website content, including product descriptions, blog posts, and service pages. Update outdated information, remove irrelevant content, and refresh pages with new details or visuals.
Broken Link Check: Use a broken link checking tool to identify and fix any broken internal or external links on your website. Broken links create a poor user experience and can negatively impact SEO.
Cross-browser and Device Compatibility Testing: Test your website's functionality and appearance across different web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Safari) and on various devices (desktop, mobile, and tablet). Ensure a consistent user experience, regardless of the platform used to access your website.
Quarterly Tasks
Website Security Scan: Conduct a comprehensive website security scan using a reputable security scanner. This can help identify potential vulnerabilities and security risks before they are exploited.
Plugins and Themes Review and Optimization: Assess the functionality and performance of all active plugins and themes. Deactivate and delete any unused plugins or themes. Evaluate if any plugins can be replaced with core CMS functionalities for improved performance.
Website Traffic Analysis: Analyze website traffic sources and user behavior patterns in detail. Identify your top traffic sources (organic search, social media) and understand how visitors interact with your website.