Why do you need website maintenance?

Why do you need to update your website at all? If it works ... don't touch it? 

According to Moses experience with the Tablets of the Covenant you don’t need to update anything. Yet, there are not that many websites containing “immortal” content.

So, don’t be surprised if you encounter the following problems on the website if it’s not maintained properly and regularly:

• Software cracks and viruses along with “not-so-decent” people are getting through;
• The website looks messy or irrelevant on new browser versions;
• Search engines may alter their search criteria and, as a consequence, downgrade your website in search results;
• Web design and layout may become outdated, if not ancient.

Considering the factors above, the incoming traffic may be decreased to a dramatical minimum and your online resource may become almost useless for your business by the end of the day. 

What can be done?

Unfortunately, choosing just a single “magical method” is not an option. The issues tend to roll up, they are frequently interrelated and therefore need to be dealt in a comprehensive manner: 

• Accepting new security updates of the content management system on the daily basis. Here’s a hint – turning on the automatic updates can make your life easier;
• Studying Yandex Webmaster report (or similar Google Analytics report) regularly, as it can point out to the current issues and possible solutions;
• Adding new content at least once a month;
• Tracking the website’s rank in the search engines results according to your keywords on the monthly basis;
• Analyzing your website in terms of its relevancy, trendiness and attractiveness.

It’s also worth to note that if your website keeps good rank in search engines results regularly then it’s not recommended to update the website just for the sake of it. Otherwise, you risk doing more harm than good. It’s also important to recognize when the changes are vitally needed and when they are optional (e.g. just to refresh the look).