You should not “Set it and Forget it” on your website for these three reasons:
Security
I’m just going to put this out there. Websites get hacked all the time. Hackers hit even giant companies. Even though Web developers build with best practices in mind, new things are always popping up, which means you need to keep your site updated.
Can small websites get hacked?
Yes, no matter the size of your website, it is vulnerable to being hacked. We have seen small business sites, ministry websites, & even personal blogs fall under attack. That is why it is so important to have services in place to make sure your site is running up to date and is secured properly.
Don’t set and forget your website. Make sure you regularly update your site if for no other reason than you care about the security of your site.
Your business changes
Your business changes. Small changes are always made as businesses grow. Something is tweaked here, and something else is changed there. There is no such thing as “Set it and forget it” in a business – so why should one of the most important aspects of your digital strategy be any different?
Perhaps you’re launching a new product. Maybe you’re realizing your target market is changing. It could be that you have just refined your message. It is important to apply these changes to your website.
Let your website grow with your business, not just set it and forget it. Your website is not an Instant Pot.
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Design and UX trends change
Design is the last reason you shouldn’t “set it and forget it” when it comes to your website. It’s not always necessary to follow the latest trends. With time, however, trends can become best practices. Users become accustomed to certain trends and begin to expect them.
A good example of this is the menu bar at the top of a website. Initially, websites didn’t always have a clear place for a “menu.” Some had a top menu, some had a menu along the sides, and some had an interactive image for navigating.
Over time, however, a trend emerged in web design. We began seeing a menu bar more often on top of websites. This became expected. As a result, if a site doesn’t have a top menu, we expect a higher bounce rate, less interaction with the site, and lower conversions.
So what do you do instead of setting and forgetting your site?
Here are a few things we recommend to clients, and we’ll suggest them to you, too:
Maintain your site regularly
You should be checking for website updates at least monthly. Ensure you check for conflicts with each update. When plugins are updated, they can sometimes produce the infamous white screen of death, or cause funny interactions with other plugins. You should always check for small things that come with security updates.
If you don’t want to do this or don’t have the time to update your site, we are always here to help maintain your website with our WordPress Care Plans so you can focus on running your business.
Observe trends & style changes
Website styles are ever-changing and if your website appears to be outdated, your website visitor is probably going to leave very quickly. Keeping your website refreshed and up to date will keep users coming back.
Maintain a regular blog
Regular blogging is one of the easiest ways to keep your website fresh. This is not only great for SEO, but you’ll be checking your site frequently, so you’ll know what’s happening. Take control of your blog and make it a vital part of your overall digital strategy. Providing fresh content about your niche can help build authority on your website. The more information about your niche, the better.
Consider your website as part of your digital strategy
You shouldn’t leave your website behind while your online marketing efforts focus elsewhere. You can use your website as a key component of your digital marketing strategy if you do it right. It is important to know how people get to your site and where they go from it. As your business changes, this should change as well.
The most important thing to remember is that your website is not an Instant Pot.
You cannot simply set it and forget it. You should treat your website like a simmering dish on the stove – keep an eye on it, stir it regularly, and enjoy the results. If you have any questions or are interested in our WordPress Care Plans, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
