Hiring an agency to manage your website can help you to avoid some of the common issues that plague website owners. With the right agency, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your website will always be fully functioning and secure.
This is a common service offered by many web development agencies, and we offer it to our clients here at Auburn. If you’re on the lookout for a new support and maintenance contract, here’s our advice for choosing the right company for your needs.
How big is your website?
The first question to ask yourself is this: how big is the site? A large website with lots of complex product listing pages will have a lot more opportunities for things to go wrong. If you don’t want to miss out on sales, you’ll want a hands-on and responsive team to take an active role in monitoring your website.
On the other hand, if you’re running a small website with minimal monthly changes, the level of support you require will be much lower. A small 15-page WordPress website with a monthly blog may only need someone to check in and update the theme and plugins once a month.
What happens if something goes wrong?
Think about the consequences of something going wrong with your website? If your site went down for a day before anyone in your team noticed, what would this mean for your company? Would you lose significant sales? Or would it have a minor impact?
Likewise, if you had a security breach? Would a security breach potentially mean compromising customer data? If so, you need a support and maintenance package that will prioritise security.
Think backwards from your worst-case scenario and then choose the level of support that will help you to avoid this situation.
Keep your circle small
Does your web development agency manage everything in-house, or will they outsource it to freelancers? When it comes to website security and maintenance contracts, it helps to keep the circle small and tight.
Why? Because if something goes wrong, you want to be able to pick up the phone and speak to the person who is going to fix it. If there are additional links in the chain, you might be waiting a while before the right person is tracked down. It helps if the agency you choose has the capabilities to manage any eventuality in-house.
Price isn’t everything
Opting for the cheapest or most expensive option could leave you with exactly the same level of support. When choosing a support package, pay attention to the details to make sure you get exactly what you need.
There aren’t any standard rates for a maintenance contract, but you will often be offered preferential rates to stay with the company that developed your website. This is because they will already be familiar with the build and it makes all website updates and amends much easier to manage.
Don’t be afraid to switch
As we’ve mentioned above, some companies will offer great rates if you sign up for a monthly maintenance retainer. But if you’re not getting the support you need, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere. If you feel like your site is always falling between the cracks and you aren’t getting their full attention, it’s time to start speaking to new agencies.
Contact Auburn today
If you’re looking for a reliable and affordable website support and maintenance contract, look no further than Auburn. We have an expert team of developers who take pride in their work. Get in touch today to find out about website maintenance contracts with Auburn.