What is Website Maintenance?

Website maintenance is the act of regularly checking your website for issues and mistakes and keeping it updated and relevant. This should be done on a consistent basis in order to keep your website healthy, encourage continued traffic growth, and strengthen your SEO and Google rankings.

Why is Website Maintenance Important?

Keeping your website well-maintained is crucial for several reasons:

• Performance: Regular maintenance ensures your website is always at its best, providing a great user experience.
• Security: Regular updates and security checks can protect your website from hackers and malware.
• SEO: Keeping your content fresh and fixing any site errors can help improve your search engine rankings, making it easier for people to find you.
• Trust: A well-maintained website shows you're a professional, reliable organisation that cares about its audience.

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Website Support and WordPress Support

Whether your website is built on WordPress or another platform, it's important to have the right support. This could be a dedicated team member, a volunteer with the right skills, or a professional website support service.

Website support can help with things like software updates, troubleshooting issues, and making changes to your site. If you're using WordPress, WordPress support can help with specific tasks like updating your theme and plugins, fixing WordPress-specific issues, and optimising your site for speed and performance.

Website Maintenance Tasks

So, what tasks should you include in your website maintenance routine? Here are a few key ones:

• Updating Content: Regularly update your website content to keep it fresh and relevant. This includes your blog, news section, event calendar, and any other dynamic content.
• Checking Functionality: Regularly test your website's features to make sure everything is working as it should. This includes forms, checkout processes, links, and any interactive elements.
• Updating Software: Regularly update your website software, including your content management system (like WordPress), themes, and plugins.
• Monitoring Performance: Regularly check your website's speed and optimise it for performance. Slow-loading websites can frustrate users and harm your search engine rankings.
• Checking Security: Regularly check your website for security issues and fix any vulnerabilities. This includes updating your security plugins, scanning for malware, and checking for suspicious activity.
• Backing Up Your Website: Regularly backup your website so you can quickly recover it in case of a problem. This includes your website files and your database.

Website Maintenance for Non-Profits, Community Organisations, and Māori Businesses

For non-profits, community organisations, and Māori businesses, website maintenance can be a challenge. You're focused on serving your community, and you may not have the time, resources, or expertise to maintain your website.

But that doesn't mean you should neglect website maintenance. A well-maintained website can help you connect with your community, share your kaupapa, and achieve your goals.

If you're struggling with website maintenance, consider seeking professional help. A website support service can take care of the technical stuff, so you can focus on what you do best: making a difference in your community.

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Website maintenance is a crucial part of your online presence. It ensures your website is always at its best, providing a great experience for your visitors and serving your community effectively. So, make sure to keep your website updated, secure, and well-maintained. Because in the end, a well-maintained website is a powerful tool for making a difference.

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Need help with website maintenance? At Ryze Aotearoa, we offer website support services for non-profits, community organisations, and businesses. Contact us today to learn how we can help you keep your website updated and secure.

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