What does looking after a small business website involve?
Looking after a small business website means renewing the domain and hosting on time, keeping the software and plugins up to date, checking that forms and phone links work, keeping details such as services and hours current, and keeping a backup. Most checks are quick; skip them and problems can go unnoticed for weeks.
Monthly
- Send a test inquiry through every form and check it arrives.
- Tap the phone number and email links on a phone.
- Check the site loads and reads well on a phone.
- Apply software and plugin updates, if your platform needs them.
Every few months
- Check services, prices you show, hours, areas and team details are still true.
- Remove pages about things you no longer offer, or update them.
- Make sure a recent backup exists and you know how to restore it.
Every year
- Renew the domain, and keep auto-renew on with a card that will not expire.
- Check who has access to the domain, hosting and site, and remove anyone who has left.
- Confirm the domain and accounts are in the business's name.
Who should own it
Someone in the business should own the list, even if a provider does the work. The domain renewal and the account access are easy to miss and costly when they lapse.
Related answers
- How do you choose a website platform for a small business?
- Should you upgrade your website or rebuild it?
- What happens if you stop paying for SEO?
Websites, upgraded or built
Most businesses do not need a new website. They need the one they have to load fast, say clearly what they do and ask the visitor to take one step.