Choosing a reputable website maintenance company is not an easy endeavor. Here's what you should look for before you commit to collaborate

Do you remember the day when your website was built? You were most likely excited that your business is officially online and enthusiastic that now your product/service will be easier to purchase.

However, as time went by, you came to understand that maintaining a website is extremely time-consuming and tedious. From writing blog posts and adding images to editing content and installing plugins, you found yourself short on time to focus on your core business tasks.  

If you are in this situation, you'll be relieved to hear that hiring a web maintenance company is a great way to save time and money. The trick is to find one that has years of experience, employs the best people, and has a solid reputation.

Here are a few tips for choosing a website maintenance company that will bring you peace of mind and reduce your stress:   

Understand the company's website maintenance pricing

Before making an investment, make sure you understand the company's pricing plans.

Maintenance costs vary significantly. There are several factors at play, including:

• the size of your website
• the complexity and functionality of your website, and
• the pricing model of your service provider 

On average, online businesses may spend anywhere from $35 to $5000 per month for maintenance. For example, a small business website may pay from $35 to $100 per month, while an e-commerce website may expect to pay anywhere from $1500 to $2500 per month.

Know what type of services you’ll need

Different companies offer different services with their maintenance packages. For that reason, it's important to be clear about what type of services you'll need.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. How many hours per week can I dedicate to maintaining my website
2. Should I be focusing my attention on growing the business?
3. Do I want to update text, links, images, videos, and files on the website
4. Will I need help with writing blog posts, or do I have the time to write them myself?
5. Do I possess the skills to do the Search Engine Optimization tasks, or will I need assistance?
6. Do I want to worry about website hosting, or should the company do that for me as well?

Know what type of services the company offers

Once you're clear on what type of website support you'll need, look at what the provider includes with their website maintenance services. There are a few essential services that every maintenance company should offer. Those services include:

• Checking for 404 errors
• Checking for broken links
• Updating core plugins and website software
• Posting weekly blog posts
• Testing website loading speed
• Analyzing security scans Analyzing website statistics
• Updating web graphics and photos
• Modifying layouts, themes, and templates
• Mobile optimization
• Renewing website domain name and hosting plan
• Updating website design
• Providing regular recommendations for improving your website  

Make sure the company has many years of experience

A company that has plenty of years of experience will do an excellent job of maintaining your website. A professional company will help you develop an effective website maintenance plan that fits your needs, resources, and budget. 

Make sure the team working on your web maintenance strategy are seasoned professionals with years of experience. Those employees will be well-trained and will have worked on many projects. 

Do keep in mind, though, that many reputable maintenance companies will require an ongoing, monthly relationship. They might not be able to work with you on an on and off basis.

Get in touch with the company in advance and ask them a few questions. By doing so, you'll understand how experienced the company is before you commit to collaborate. Explain to them exactly what type of website support you need, and ask what kind of services they can offer. You'll set the stage for a successful collaboration and leave your website's health in good hands.

Check the company's reputation

A bit of research before doing business with a company can prevent a lot of aggravation. Luckily, thanks to social media and a simple internet search, it's easier than ever to check the reputation of a company.

You want the company to have plenty of happy clients, truthful testimonials and reviews, and references that will guarantee the company's professionalism.  

The first thing you want to do is to check the agency's website for inconsistencies and indicators of professionalism. For example, if it says one thing on one page and then contradicts itself on another page, that's a red flag. Or, if there are many spelling and grammar mistakes, then that's another sign of unprofessionalism. 

The second thing you can do is check Yelp. Yelp is similar to Yellow Pages, but it's completely digital. Reviews here are written by real people who have used a company's product or service. You'll find detailed and updated reviews about the reliability and reputation of any business.

Other consumer review platforms that you can check include Angie's List, TrustPilot, Google My Business, and Glassdoor. A quick search of a company's name will open many reviews and insights, both positive and negative.

There are also tons of reviews available on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. People on social media are not scared to share their complaints, both on company pages and their own feeds. Simply search for the company's name and see what others have been posting about the business. Look at what customers are writing but also at the company's responses, as that can be the real indicator of good customer service. 

Key Takeaways

A website maintenance agency can make or break your business. By choosing the one that fits your preferences, budget, and needs, you'll have peace of mind knowing your online business is in good hands. The time you'll save not dealing with day-to-day maintenance tasks, you can dedicate to growing the scope of your business and ensuring customers are happy.

To sum up:

• Maintaining a website is a time-consuming and tedious task.
• Hiring a web maintaining agency is a great way to save time and money.

The trick is to find a reputable company that offers the type of maintenance services your business needs.