What happens after your website launches: updates, backups and changes
A launched website still needs care. What regular maintenance means, what to ask about backups and updates, and how small changes are usually handled.
Launching a website is not the end of the work. Software gets updates, content changes and things occasionally break. It helps to agree before launch who looks after what.
Updates
Sites built on a content management system such as WordPress depend on updates to the system and its plugins. Skipped updates are one of the common ways a site becomes slow or vulnerable. Ask who installs them and how often.
Backups
A backup is a copy you can restore if something goes wrong. Ask where it is stored, how often it is made and whether a restore has ever been tested. A backup stored on the same server as the site does not help if the server fails.
Monitoring
Someone should notice when the site is down, when a form stops sending messages or when a certificate is about to expire. Even a simple automatic check is better than hearing about a problem from a customer.
Small changes
- Which changes can you make yourself, such as texts, photos and blog posts?
- Which need a developer, and how are they priced: per hour or per task?
- How quickly can you expect a reply?
Questions to ask before launch
- Who is responsible for updates and backups?
- What is included in the price, and what is charged separately?
- Who do I contact if the site stops working?
I agree these points at the start of a project, so the end of the work is not a surprise. If you would rather not handle the technical side yourself, see website maintenance from €25 per month excl. VAT. For a new project, see website development in Bratislava or write to me with your questions.