This Post is Part of the Series: DIY Website Blind Spots, a series that helps uncover the small (but important) things that may be holding your website back. Whether you built it yourself or you’re the one keeping it running, these tips can help you catch problems early and fix them fast.
You launched your website. That’s a huge achievement, and you should be super-proud of it! You check it off your to-do list and move on. But here’s the thing…
A website is never truly “done.”
If you built your site yourself, you’ve probably experienced the frustration of technology trying to win at all costs, and ongoing care is the farthest thing from your mind, but ongoing care is what keeps your website secure, fast, and functioning properly.
The Risks of Skipping Regular Website Care
- Outdated Plugins & Themes: Vulnerable to hacks and compatibility issues.
- Performance Decline: Database bloat, broken links, and slow load times.
- Surprise Breakages: Things stop working when you least expect it.
If you’re not working with websites daily, it’s easy to assume that updates are optional. In reality, updates fix bugs, patch security holes, and keep your site stable.
What Should You Be Doing Monthly, at a Minimum?
- Update WordPress Core, Plugins, & Themes — Always backup first!
- Run a Full Backup — Automate it if possible.
- Check Site Speed & Uptime — Small issues compound over time and may become harder to spot.
- Test Forms & Key Features — Don’t wait for a client to tell you something’s broken.
- Clean Up Spam & Revisions — Keep your database tidy.
- Review Analytics — See what’s working, where users are coming from, and where they’re dropping off.
Proactive Care Saves Money (and Headaches)
It’s a lot cheaper (and less stressful) to stay ahead of issues than to fix a hacked or broken site after the fact.
Signs your site needs maintenance:
DIY vs. Done-for-You Care
If you love tinkering and have time to keep up with these tasks, great! But if you’d rather focus on your business, a Website Care Plan can save you time and protect your investment.
Want to read the rest of the series? Browse all DIY Blind Spot articles here →
