Why website management really matters

Put simply, website management refers to everything that keeps your site running smoothly, effectively and securely, both for your business and those who visit you online. It provides the end user with a positive experience, while helping you to achieve your business goals, from driving sales to heightening brand awareness. It encompasses technical maintenance, security, content management and SEO optimisation, among other activities.

With the right management, your site will look attractive and function optimally. And the process applies equally to the design, structure, content, features and marketing aspects of a website.

Why it matters

According to one figure, the overwhelming majority (almost 90%) of consumers are less likely to return to a site following a poor experience. After all, you’ve probably navigated away yourself from a website that looked outdated, was slow and clunky or which felt insecure.

Things like swift loading times, clear navigation and accurate information create a positive first impression for visitors, and encourage them to explore further. A website that’s poorly managed just reflects terribly on the brand, while harming its reputation and potentially haemorrhaging business. Conversely, one that’s managed effectively is a powerful tool in helping forge credibility and trust among those who use it.

Equally, a badly managed website is more vulnerable to hacking and malware, cyberattacks and similar security issues. So management includes measures such as updating software, monitoring for threats and implementing SSL certificates to authenticate your identity. (Apart from anything else, downtime and technical faults are usually expensive.)

Additionally, proper management helps ensure good functionality and availability. That includes, for example, addressing issues like broken links and loading delays. It will monitor how the site is performing and introduce updates to boost usability and speed. Plus there will be back-up and recovery plans in place in case of potentially disastrous data loss, technical problems or security breaches.

Meanwhile, the process includes help with content creation and updates, for example adding, editing and removing elements such as images, words and video so the website remains relevant, current and engaging. This really matters in terms of encouraging people to keep revisiting your web pages, plus your rankings with the major search engines.

At the same time, web management prepares your business for future growth and development by allowing you to develop your website. Your online content needs to be able to accommodate new products, services or content as you grow.

Equally, web managers regularly assume responsibility for optimising content and page structure plus metadata to improve search engine optimisation (SEO), or the way in which search engines rank your site. This aspect could include keyword research, analysis of the site and driving organic traffic.

Why outsource web management?

Proactive management means problems which could be hugely expensive are less likely to arise in the future, from data loss to security breaches, or even, potentially, major website rebuilds. So it’s cost-effective in the long run.

Outsourcing this function frees up valuable time and resources for your core business activities. You’ll also benefit from external expertise and knowledge which you may not have in-house.

So it’s not just about keeping your site running. It’s about ensuring it remains a valuable asset which safeguards your brand, supports your business aims and gives visitors a positive experience.

Website management from SWSweb

SWSweb has been supporting business websites of all kinds since 2012. We help with everything from speedy, managed web hosting to security management and design.

Learn more about our services here. Check out our range of packages for Joomla and WordPress site maintenance, aimed at giving you everything you need to keep your site current, secure and performing optimally. We include fast UK hosting, SSL certification, daily back-ups, 24/7 uptime monitoring, system updates plus extra security features.

Still got questions? Get in touch and we’ll be glad to answer them.