Your website works for your business around the clock, but only if it is kept in good shape. This website maintenance checklist covers the tasks every small business owner should handle, or make sure someone handles, to keep a site secure, fast and accurate.
Weekly Website Maintenance Tasks
- Check that your site loads. Visit your homepage and a few key pages on your phone and computer.
- Test your contact form. Send a test message and make sure it arrives in your inbox. A broken form can quietly cost you leads.
- Back up your website. Make sure automatic backups ran and are stored somewhere other than your web server.
- Review spam. Clear spam comments and form submissions so they do not pile up.
Monthly Website Maintenance Tasks
- Update WordPress, themes and plugins. Updates fix security holes and bugs. Back up first, then update and check the site afterward.
- Check website speed. Use a free tool like Google PageSpeed Insights to spot slow pages and large images.
- Look for broken links. Links to pages that no longer exist frustrate visitors and hurt SEO.
- Review Google Search Console. Watch for errors, security issues and changes in how people find you.
- Update content. Make sure hours, prices, staff and service details are current.
Quarterly and Yearly Tasks
- Review user accounts. Remove old logins and make sure every admin uses a strong password.
- Check your SSL certificate and domain renewal. An expired certificate or domain can take your site offline.
- Refresh key pages. Update photos, add new projects and improve pages that are not converting.
- Review your hosting and PHP version. Outdated server software slows sites down and creates security risks.
- Test a backup restore. A backup is only useful if it actually works.
Why Website Maintenance Matters
Most website problems we see, from hacked sites to broken forms, come from skipped maintenance. Outdated plugins are an easy target for attackers, and small issues tend to grow into expensive repairs. Regular care keeps your website secure, protects your search rankings and makes sure customers always see accurate information.
How to Use This Website Maintenance Checklist
Print this website maintenance checklist or add the tasks to your calendar so nothing slips through the cracks. Weekly tasks take only a few minutes, while monthly and yearly tasks can be grouped into a single session.
Software updates are the most important item on the list. WordPress explains why in its guide to updating WordPress, and the same idea applies to themes and plugins. Always take a backup before you update, then check your key pages and forms afterward.
If you would rather not handle maintenance yourself, our website maintenance services cover updates, backups, security monitoring and unlimited content changes for one monthly fee.
Do It Yourself or Hand It Off?
You can follow this checklist on your own, but it takes time every month and some technical comfort. Many business owners prefer to hand it off so they can focus on running their business.
Every TY Web Solutions plan includes hosting, updates, backups, security monitoring and content edits. Learn more about our website maintenance services or schedule a free consultation to have us take care of your website.