Website Management Services

If your website is built on the WordPress platform, then the answer is yes.

It really isn’t WordPress’s fault. The platform grew incredibly fast and there are, currently, more than 55,000 WordPress add-ons (aka plugins). Currently, WordPress powers over 43% of the web.

This makes it one of the biggest hacker targets on the planet.

Additionally, all websites require some routine maintenance. Just like cars, you must change the oil, rotate the tires, and put in required repairs if you want to reliably get from point A to B. That’s what our care plans provide.

In our experience, a solid WordPress Management Plan must include:

• Plugin updates
• 24/7 uptime monitoring
• Security scans
• Performance scans
• Daily backups

Keeping website plugins up-to-date is crucial, but the frequency can vary depending on several factors.

• Security vulnerabilities: Like recently discovered “zero-day” exploits, updates often address critical security issues.
• Number of plugins: More plugins generally mean more updates to manage, as each adds potential vulnerabilities and requires maintenance.
• Plugin quality: Well-maintained plugins from reputable developers tend to require fewer updates.

The average website might have a moderate number of plugins (15-30) and need updates several times a month (10-20). However, some plugins require very frequent updates (weekly), while others may be more stable.

In our experience managing website plugins for clients, a proactive update approach has minimized security risks. While occasional issues can slip through, swift action can usually prevent data loss.

We analyzed hundreds of management plan requests to identify the most common website issues. This data provides valuable insights for website owners and highlights areas where our management plans offer the most significant support.

• Website Rollback: Restore a previous version of the website.
• Plugin Conflicts: Resolve issues caused by incompatible plugins.
• Theme/WordPress Conflicts: Fix compatibility problems between the website theme and WordPress core.
• Website Outage Recovery: Get the website back online after a downtime event.
• Security Issue Resolution: Address security vulnerabilities on the website.
• SSL Certificate Renewal: Update the website’s SSL certificate to maintain secure connections.
• DNS Management: Assist with changes to the website’s Domain Name System (DNS) settings.
• Software License Management: Help with using or managing software licenses for the website.
• Email Deliverability Fix: Improve email sending functionality from the website.
• Plugin License Expiry: Address situations where a plugin license is about to expire or has expired.

At Simpler Site, we take pride in a smooth onboarding process. We ensure everything is configured correctly, update all software for optimal performance, and proactively address any potential issues. This thorough approach gives you a website you can rely on, free of surprises.

To ensure a successful partnership, our care plan requires a three-month commitment. This allows us to dedicate the necessary time and effort to get your website up to speed and achieve optimal performance.

After the initial three months, you have the flexibility to cancel at any time before the end of your billing cycle.

We leverage WP Engine, a leading managed WordPress hosting provider based in Austin, TX, to power your website. This ensures exceptional performance, security, and support, exceeding what budget-friendly options like GoDaddy, HostGator, and Bluehost can offer.

Here’s why WP Engine is the clear choice:

• Strategic Data Center Placement: WP Engine strategically locates data centers to minimize distance between your website and your target audience, optimizing loading speeds.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN) Integration: They seamlessly integrate a CDN, further boosting website performance by delivering content from geographically distributed servers.

These combined features ensure your website delivers a fast and flawless user experience, a key factor in today’s competitive online landscape. By partnering with WP Engine, we move beyond “playing the same game” with budget hosting providers – we elevate your website’s performance to a whole new level.

While web design agencies often offered email hosting in the past, today’s landscape demands more advanced solutions. We recommend migrating your email to a secure and scalable cloud-based platform like Microsoft Office 365 or Google Workspace.

Our team utilizes Google Workspace and can provide expert assistance with setup and migration if you choose this route. However, it’s important to note that billing remains directly with Google to ensure you receive the most competitive rates and have full access to their dedicated support channels.

Remember, maintaining a professional image requires consistency. Your email address should ideally align with your website domain for optimal brand recognition. This eliminates the need for free, generic email accounts such as Hotmail or Gmail.

We love WooCommerce and gladly support the extra management plan activities necessary, however these sites incur charges ranging from $60 to $100 per month in addition to the base management plan, depending on the complexity of the site build.

Domain name renewal notices typically arrive via email from your current domain registrar.

Here’s how to confirm your registrar:

1. Visit a WHOis service (search online for “WHOis lookup”).
2. Enter your domain name to identify the current registrar.

Why is this important?

Your domain name is your digital foundation. Even at a modest annual cost (around $15 for a .com domain), losing control can significantly impact your online presence. Malicious actors could hijack your domain, potentially disrupting your website and email services.

What to do if unsure?

Contact your existing domain registrar directly for clarification. If you’re unsure who your registrar is, we offer a free lookup service. Simply call us, and we’ll be happy to assist. We understand the importance of safeguarding your domain name.

A Note on Renewal Costs:

Generally, domain name renewals for .com addresses shouldn’t exceed $30 per year. Higher prices might indicate a scam or an unfavorable provider.

We strongly recommend that our clients retain direct ownership and management of their domain name registration.

Your domain name serves as the critical cornerstone of your online presence, arguably more valuable than the website itself (especially if your website content is backed up securely). If someone else were to gain control of your domain, they could redirect it to a different website, rendering your current website inaccessible. Additionally, your email addresses associated with the domain would cease to function.

Considering the minimal annual cost of a domain name (typically $15 or less), we advise securing your domain name for a longer term, ideally five years. We recommend setting multiple reminders in your calendar to ensure timely renewal before expiration.

Remember, maintaining control of your domain name is essential for safeguarding your online identity and ensuring uninterrupted access to your website and email.