Sorry, but “set it and forget it” isn’t actually a website care strategy
You wouldn’t leave your physical storefront untended for months, would you? You’d notice if the door was sticking, if the “Open” sign had burned out, or if weeds were growing up through the sidewalk cracks.
You’d fix these things because you know they affect whether customers can find you, trust you, and ultimately buy from you.
Your website works exactly the same way, except it is invisible website care, which makes it easy to ignore until something goes really wrong.
If you’re like most entrepreneurs I work with, you probably launched your website with great excitement, maybe did a few updates in the first month, and then… life happened. You got busy serving clients, creating content, and actually running your business. The website became something that just “exists” in the background.
Here’s what I’ve learned after helping dozens of entrepreneurs recover from website disasters: a little bit of regular website care prevents a whole lot of expensive emergencies.
Why Your Website Needs Regular Check-Ups
Think of website maintenance like getting your car serviced. You can drive for months without thinking about it, but skipping those oil changes eventually leads to engine problems that cost way more than the maintenance would have.
Your Website is Working 24/7
Unlike your physical location, your website never closes. It’s representing your business at 2 AM when someone can’t sleep and is searching for solutions.
Your website is there when a potential client across the country finds your social media post and wants to learn more. It’s working on weekends, during vacations, and while you’re focused on client work.
But here’s the thing. The internet is constantly changing.
Security updates roll out, plugins need updating, and sometimes things just… break. When your website stops working properly, you might not even know it’s happening. Potential clients might be getting error messages instead of your beautiful homepage, and you’re completely unaware.
Google is Always Watching Your Website (In a Good Way)
This is where something called Google Search Console becomes your best friend. Think of it as your website’s report card from Google. It tells you things like:
- Whether Google can actually find and read your website pages
- If there are any errors preventing people from finding you in search results
- Which of your pages are showing up when people search for relevant topics
- If there are any security issues that might scare visitors away
I know “Google Search Console” sounds intimidating, but it’s actually Google’s free gift to business owners. They want your website to work well because when websites work well, people use Google more. It’s a win-win, but only if you actually look at what it’s telling you.
The Hidden Costs of Website Neglect
Let me share what I see happen to entrepreneurs who take the “set it and forget it” approach:
Lost Search Rankings
Google rewards websites that are well-maintained and regularly updated. If your site becomes outdated, slow, or starts having technical issues, Google notices. Your search rankings can drop without you realizing it, meaning fewer people find you naturally. Regular website care avoids that.
Security Vulnerabilities
Hackers love targeting websites that haven’t been updated. I’ve seen beautiful websites completely destroyed by malware, requiring expensive restoration or complete rebuilds. The entrepreneur usually had no idea anything was wrong until customers started calling to say the website was showing suspicious content.
Broken User Experience
Links stop working, images disappear, contact forms break. Visitors land on your site, can’t do what they came to do, and leave. You never even know they were there.
Mobile Problems
With most people browsing on phones, a website that doesn’t work well on mobile is basically invisible to half your potential audience. These issues can develop over time as technology changes.
What Regular Website Care Actually Looks Like
The good news? Proper website maintenance doesn’t require you to become a tech expert or spend hours every week staring at code.
Monthly Check-Ins (15-20 minutes)
Once a month, spend a few minutes clicking around your own website. Try to view it like a first-time visitor would.
Do all the pages load quickly? Are there any error messages? Can you easily find your contact information? Does everything look right on your phone? Does your contact form work as expected?
Check your Google Search Console for any new warnings or errors. You don’t need to understand exactly what everything means, but you’ll know if there’s something that needs attention.
There will always be some unindexed pages on most websites, and that’s okay. We want to watch out for sudden increases in pages not indexed.
I also try to make website backups using Updraft Plus, a free plugin, regularly.
Quarterly Deeper Dives (30-45 minutes)
Every three months, it’s worth doing a more thorough review. Update your content if needed, check that your business information is still accurate, and look at which pages are getting the most traffic.
You can take a closer look at how well your website is meeting your marketing goals, and consider what tweaks might help it along.
Stay on Top of Updates
Just like your phone apps need regular updates, so does your website. If you’re using WordPress (which many entrepreneurs do), there are regular updates for both the main software and any plugins you’re using.
These updates often include security improvements and bug fixes.
When to Call for Help
I’m big on DIY for many things. In my old house in Michigan, I used to have a large bucket of plaster under my desk for fixes to the lath and plaster walls as they happened. But, I knew better than to tackle some jobs if they were out of my comfort zone.
Here’s the thing I always tell my clients: you don’t need to become a website expert any more than you need to become a plumber or electrician. You just need to know when something needs professional attention.
Call for help if you notice error messages you don’t understand, if your website suddenly looks different or broken, if Google Search Console is showing warnings, or if you’re just feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing.
(I offer tech support by the hour, if you need it, as well as other a la carte services for website owners and entrepreneurs)
Your Website Maintenance Rhythm
Remember, we’re talking about rhythms, not rigid schedules. Some months you might check in more often because you’re launching something new. Other months, a quick 15-minute review is enough. The key is making it a regular part of your business rhythms rather than something you only think about when there’s a crisis.
Your website is one of your most valuable business assets. It deserves the same kind of attention you’d give to any other important part of your business. A little bit of regular care keeps it working hard for you, bringing in new clients and serving your audience well.
After all, you’ve got important work to do in the world. Your website should be helping you do it, not creating roadblocks along the way.
