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You have a website but no one is tasked to update its system.
This is true for websites that run Content Management Systems (CMS) such as Drupal, WordPress, Joomla and the like. An update may be as minor as correcting spelling errors on the code to security updates that patch a hole hackers can use to take over the site. Fortunately these systems usually send an email to its administrator when it’s needed. You just need a webmaster to be that person on top of it.
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There was a big event the other day, month or year and it still isn’t on your website.
This is one of the most common situations I encounter. Owners of neglected websites often point out articles or news items on their websites that are still being headlined many months after, or have had several events pass without any mention of it on the site. Websites are great if used like a constantly updating corporate profile. When you need to impress a client all you need to do is send them links of events or projects you’ve had on your website, so if it isn’t updated then it is not doing it’s job. Writing content is obviously not a webmaster’s job, but it certainly can be arranged for a few paragraphs and a picture to be emailed to a webmaster who can just upload it for you. For more tips, read my article “Establish A Goal Beyond ‘We Now Have A Website“.
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When you’ve been hacked. –
The reason why many sites are hacked isn’t necessarily because they have data worth hacking or they are specifically targeted by hackers – it’s mostly because they ‘left the door open’ or in other words are easy to hack. It’s akin to leaving your car unlocked in a public parking lot or the door to your condominium slightly ajar. No one really planned to go in there but if they want to they can – and someone eventually will. A webmaster can make keep your site updated (see #1), and make security assessments. More importantly, he can maintain backups so if the site does get hacked he is able to put it back up immediately.
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People are pointing out wrong info on your website / You constantly have to correct inquiries –
This might sound like a repeat of #2, but I think if people are pointing out that, say, product information, addresses or telephone numbers on your website are not current, then that means people are relying on your website and the investment in one is worthwhile. It is therefore prudent they get the correct info as reading wrong information can annoy potential customers.
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No one person on the staff is specifically tasked to maintain the content. –
The best way for a task NOT to get done or get done badly is to not assign it to anyone specifically. That way the task gets passed around and there are plenty of people to point if it fails. If hiring permanent staff just for this task is not an option then a retainer is the perfect solution.
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No one knows the usernames and passwords of the website because he doesn’t work here anymore. –
This might be deemed an extension of #5 but I am pointing it out because it is so common as to be the number one reason why many websites are abandoned. Often an employee uses his own credit card to buy a domain name or hosting, therefore listing himself as its owner by default. When the time comes for either of these to be renewed suddenly he cannot be contacted since he had already left the company. This is a situation any webmaster should point out immediately as a security risk. Domain names and hosting usernames and passwords should all be in the possession of the owner, and with permission to the webmaster. No one else outside of those two needs to be involved.
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There are new innovations that have come along but you are not taking advantage of them. –
Amongst the many tech catch phrases these days, ‘Mobile – friendly’ ranks amongst the most relevant. More and more people are accessing the web exclusively via their phones or tablets so much so that Google has announced their search engine is prioritizing sites that are easily read via mobile. It is logical then that going mobile – friendly will automatically give you an edge over your competition just because your site is the first to appear in a Google search. A webmaster should be able to tell you this and consult you on what to do while on the other hand, also telling you which trends aren’t relevant.
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You want changes on your website but do not want to spend on a new one.
It is easy for an uninformed website owner to assume that the entire website needs to be changed when all that was needed was a system where updates would be sent to a webmaster to periodically update the old website. I know of many instances when whole websites were unnecessarily replaced by a new one only to face the same problems – ie lack of updates, no one person in charge. A webmaster can keep your site updated and fresh negating the need to overhaul the whole thing until you really need it.
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You just need advice.
How secure is my website? How can I integrate Twitter, Facebook or Instagram on our website? How can I sell online? Is it a good idea to put sound and video? Am I getting my money’s worth on hosting? How hard is it to make the site mobile – friendly? These are all valid questions a website owner would want to ask but does not necessarily want to hire a security consultant or a marketing executive for. A webmaster on call should be able to answer drawing from experience so as to give the owner some information to start with.
Full disclosure: I offer retainer services and I am printing this article obviously to gain some business, but also because I feel it is important to give advice to website owners that website maintenance is not necessarily confusing or expensive, and that by applying simple procedures such as above it is possible to get the most out of your website and make it work for you.
Websites are way past the ‘because we need to impress people’ stage and potential customers are seriously looking at yours to determine whether they want to do business with you or not. Often, just keeping it updated and relevant is enough to get their attention. Email me at [email protected].
