Website maintenance after launch: what to check and who should handle it
After launch, a website needs current information, working features, and a clear owner for its accounts. Maintenance is easier to plan when the scope is written down and each task can be checked.
Separate types of work
Content edits, technical updates, and new features are different tasks. Clarify what an agreement includes: changing prices, testing a form, updating the CMS, or building pages. If you pay for a set number of hours, agree how they are tracked and prioritised. Do not assume every new feature is routine support.
Test your backups
A site with a database needs copies of both its files and database. Set the schedule, retention period, and storage location based on how much recent work you could afford to lose. Test a restore in a separate environment at least once. Having an archive does not prove that a working site can be recovered. Restrict access to backups.
Monitor forms and renewals
Check that enquiries are saved and notifications reach their recipient. Track renewal dates for the domain, hosting, and external services. Assign a primary and backup contact. If the business email changes, update both the displayed address and the form recipient, then send a test enquiry.
Leave the owner with useful knowledge
Keep a list of services, responsible contacts, and instructions for routine tasks. Store passwords separately from public documentation. Back up the site before major updates and know how to roll them back. Maintenance should keep the site manageable; new features should be chosen for a business need and observed results.
Further reading
- WordPress or a website builder: choosing a platform
- A user-friendly website admin: what the owner should be able to do
- Redesign or improve an existing site: what really needs to change?
- AI subscription solution: what to check before connecting
Agree with AlgaLab who will maintain the site and what the support covers. A clear scope makes it easier to plan. Contact AlgaLab.