The internet has undoubtedly become a staple in our everyday lives. We use it for work, play, and communication. It’s become so ingrained in how we operate that many of us couldn’t imagine living without it. And, for businesses and organizations with a supporting website, the internet is essential for success.
But, just like anything else in life, websites require upkeep and maintenance to function correctly. Over time, software updates get released, security needs improvement, and website owners must add new content to keep your website relevant. If you don’t stay on top of these things, it can impact your success.
We’ve put together this helpful website maintenance checklist for 2022. Use it to ensure your site is ready to meet the challenges of the modern internet.
Remove Defunct Programs
Unfortunately, not all website programs are ready to perform for the ages. Sometimes, the company behind the program goes out of business or decides to stop supporting it.
If you’re still using one of these programs on your website, it should get removed as soon as possible. Not only can this result in a poor user experience, but it could create holes in your website’s security protocols. And when your site has security holes, it becomes a prime target for malicious attacks.
Verify Your Website Users
If your company website allows employees or contractors to log in, you must verify each user regularly. You might want to do this quarterly or monthly, depending on your organization or company size.
The last thing a website owner wants is someone with malicious intent to access your website. By verifying users, you can ensure that only authorized personnel have access and permissions to website areas where they can make changes.
Should you discover that an unauthorized user has gained access to your website, you should change all passwords immediately and consider increasing the security of your login protocols.
Review Your Passwords
At this point, we all know that we need to use strong passwords to protect our online accounts. But, it’s not uncommon for people to reuse the same password for multiple accounts.
If you’re using the same password for your website as you are for other accounts, review and change them. In today’s digital world, passwords are our first defense against attacks. That’s why it’s essential to have strong and unique passwords for every account related to your website.
Hackers are constantly uncovering new ways to break into websites. However, regularly changing your passwords and using a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters makes it more challenging for them to access your site.
Check The Validity Of Your SSL/TLS Certificate
Even if your website doesn’t process payments or collect sensitive data, it’s crucial to have a valid SSL/TLS certificate. This certificate encrypts the connection between your website and the user’s browser. If your site doesn’t have a valid SSL/TLS certificate, anyone can intercept the data transmitted between your site and the user. This data could include passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive information.
An SSL/TLS certificate also builds trust for your website users. They know their data is safe when the green padlock is visible in their browser.
Consider Upgrades
Much like a new vehicle has more features than a few years old, new website design platforms offer more features and functionality than older ones.
If your website is over a few years old, it might be time to consider a website upgrade. Newer websites are easier to use, have more features, and add functionality that can help improve your website’s overall performance.
Perform Regular Backups
No matter how frequently you maintain your website, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong. You must perform regular site backups to bring it back online if something unexpected happens.
With a recent backup, you can restore your website quickly and with minimal disruption. Backups should get completed at least once a week, but more often is better if your website is dynamic or gets frequent updates.
Seek The Guidance Of Web Development Professionals
For many busy company owners, staying on top of website maintenance tasks can be a full-time job. If you don’t have the patience, time, or staff to do it, seek the guidance of web development professionals.
At Interactive Palette, we offer website maintenance plans that take the guesswork out of keeping your site up-to-date and running smoothly. Trust us to handle all the technical tasks so you can focus on running your business. Please contact us today to start the conversation!
