What Does a Website Manager Change for Maintenance?
A website is like a digital store or office. Just like a physical store needs cleaning, repairing, and updating, a website also needs regular care. This is where a website manager comes in. One of their main responsibilities is website maintenance. In simple words, website maintenance means checking, updating, and fixing a website regularly so it works smoothly and stays secure. We will explain what a website manager does during maintenance.
Let’s look at the main tasks a website manager does during maintenance. We’ve divided them into categories to make it easier to understand.
1. Software and Plugin Updates
Most websites are built on platforms like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal. These platforms use themes, plugins, and core software.
What is done:
- Updating WordPress or CMS core files
- Updating plugins and extensions
- Removing old or unused plugins
- Making sure updates don’t break the site
Why it’s important:
Outdated software can create security holes. Regular updates fix bugs and improve performance.
Example: If a contact form plugin is outdated, users may not be able to send messages, or worse, hackers may use it to inject spam or malware.
2. Fixing Broken Links and Errors
Links are very important in a website. Sometimes links break due to deleted pages or typing mistakes.
What is done:
- Checking for broken internal and external links
- Fixing 404 error pages
- Redirecting broken URLs to correct pages
Why it’s important:
Broken links are bad for SEO and make users unhappy.
Example: A user clicks on “Buy Now” but ends up on a “Page Not Found” screen — that can cost you a customer.
3. Website Backup
Backups are like insurance. If something goes wrong, a backup can save your website.
What is done:
- Creating full site backups regularly
- Storing backups in secure cloud or offline locations
- Automating backup schedules
Why it’s important:
If your site is hacked or crashes, backups help you restore it quickly.
4. Security Checks and Improvements
Websites are common targets for hackers. Website managers perform regular checks to keep everything secure.
What is done:
- Installing and updating security plugins
- Scanning for malware and viruses
- Setting up firewalls and protection layers
- Monitoring login attempts and user activity
Why it’s important:
A hacked website can harm your brand, steal data, or infect users.
5. Speed and Performance Optimization
A slow website can frustrate users and lower your Google ranking.
What is done:
- Checking and improving website loading speed
- Compressing images
- Removing unused scripts and files
- Using caching tools
Why it’s important:
Fast websites give better user experience and SEO performance.
Example: Google suggests page load time should be under 3 seconds. Anything longer, and users leave.
6. Content and Design Updates
Fresh content keeps a website relevant and useful. Design updates keep it modern.
What is done:
- Updating text, images, and videos
- Fixing formatting issues
- Improving mobile responsiveness
- Updating design to follow trends
Why it’s important:
Updated content helps with SEO and builds trust with visitors.
Example: A business that hasn’t updated its website in years may look unprofessional or outdated.
7. SEO Maintenance
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) helps your website appear in Google search.
What is done:
- Checking meta titles, descriptions, and keywords
- Fixing alt tags for images
- Submitting updated sitemaps to search engines
- Removing duplicate or thin content
Why it’s important:
Good SEO keeps your website visible to potential customers.
8. Database Cleaning
If your site stores data (like form entries, customer details), the database can get bulky.
What is done:
- Cleaning unused data
- Optimizing database tables
- Deleting spam comments or fake users
Why it’s important:
A clean database helps in faster loading and smooth functioning.
9. User Testing and Function Checks
Sometimes things break without notice. Website managers check if everything works as expected.
What is done:
- Testing forms, login, shopping carts, and search
- Checking mobile and tablet responsiveness
- Testing across different browsers
Why it’s important:
This ensures users can interact with your website without problems.
Maintenance Checklist Table
Here’s a quick summary of what a website manager checks:
| Task | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Software Updates | Update CMS, plugins, themes | Weekly/Monthly |
| Backup | Save a full copy of the website | Daily/Weekly |
| Security Scan | Check for malware and threats | Weekly |
| Broken Link Check | Fix or redirect broken links | Monthly |
| Content Update | Add new posts, change outdated content | As needed |
| Speed Optimization | Compress images, cache, scripts | Monthly |
| SEO Check | Improve visibility in search engines | Monthly |
| Database Cleanup | Remove junk data for better performance | Monthly |
| Functionality Testing | Test forms, carts, login, mobile views | Monthly/After update |
Final Thoughts
Website maintenance is not just about fixing things. It’s about keeping your website strong, secure, fast, and useful. A website manager plays a vital role in doing all this work behind the scenes so that your visitors get a smooth experience every time.
If you ignore website maintenance, problems can slowly build up. Think of it like not servicing your car—everything might seem fine at first, but one day it can stop working completely.
By hiring a website manager or learning basic maintenance tasks, you can keep your digital presence healthy and successful for the long term.
Also Read:
- How Long Does Website Maintenance Take?
- Is Web Development Easier Than Software Development?
- What Resources Does a Web Developer Need?
- Will AI Replace Web Developers?
- Is Web Development Dying? Here’s the Truth in 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a website manager do during updates?
A website manager checks for available updates in the software, themes, and plugins used by your website. They update these safely to avoid errors or crashes. Updates are important because they fix bugs, add new features, and keep your website protected from hackers.
Why is regular website maintenance important?
Regular maintenance keeps your website working properly. It helps improve speed, fix errors, and keep your content up to date. It also protects your site from security threats and gives users a better experience. A well-maintained website also ranks better on search engines like Google.
How often should website maintenance be done?
Basic maintenance should be done weekly or monthly. Important tasks like backups and security checks should be done more often. Regular checks help catch problems early and avoid major issues later. The more active your website is, the more frequent maintenance should be.
Can I do website maintenance by myself?
Yes, you can do simple tasks like updating plugins, checking broken links, or creating backups with the help of tools. But for more complex tasks like security settings, speed optimization, or database cleanup, it’s better to get help from a website manager or developer.
What happens if I don’t maintain my website?
If you don’t maintain your website, it can become slow, outdated, and even unsafe. Broken links, hacked content, and poor performance may make visitors leave your site. You may also lose your Google ranking. Without maintenance, small issues can turn into big problems over time.
