Websites are a dynamic entity, not a static one. Like a garden, they require care and nurturing. Like a house pet they require care and feeding and a watchful eye to make sure they are behaving. A website is not a set it and forget it item. It requires constant attention if it is to perform well.
Here are just a few of the many intertwined elements of a good website that need regular review and updating:
- The health of the web server
- Speed
- Security
- Capacity
- Health of the “content management system”, or CMS, like WordPress
- CMS updates
- Plugin updates
- Is everything playing well together?
- Active vs. inactive web pages
- Website links
- Inbound
- Outbound
- Forms and emails
- How the site looks on a desktop PC vs. a smartphone vs. a tablet
- How the site looks on various web browsers
- Analysis and maintenance tools
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- How the site looks — and performs— on various search engines
- Online reviews and comments
- Yelp
- Google My Business
The care and feeding of a website, to keep it healthy and happy, requires regular work and attention . Much of this can be scheduled and automated. But it still needs to be monitored and analyzed to ensure no anomalies occur and if they do, correct them. If you are going to invest money in a website as part of your online presence, you need make sure that you protect that investment with sound upkeep and maintenance.