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Why Website Support and Maintenance Matters

May 8, 2025| by Dan Moriarty
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Launching a new website is a major milestone. After months of research, planning, design, and development, you unveil your latest creation to the world. But that doesn’t mean your work is done!

For many organizations, the idea of “website maintenance” is just an optional “feature” to include after a redesign is complete. But websites need continuous care and nurturing to succeed over the long term. 

Let’s take a look at the top 5 reasons why you should invest in a support and site improvement plan for your website.

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1. Security Doesn't Sleep
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Your website is a digital front door—and like any door, it needs to stay locked and secure. Regular maintenance ensures:

  • Security patches are applied promptly
  • Modules and plugins stay up to date
  • User data and integrations remain protected

If you're running a content management system like Drupal or WordPress, new vulnerabilities are discovered all the time. Without updates, your site can become a target for bots, breaches, or worse—downtime.

You wouldn’t skip updates for your phone or laptop. Your website deserves the same care.

2. Content Grows (and Breaks)
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Websites are living systems. New pages, documents, and features are added; old content becomes outdated. Maintenance ensures:

  • Broken links and outdated PDFs don’t pile up
  • Site search is returning the results you expected
  • Navigation evolves with your organization’s needs

Without regular review, important content gets buried or lost entirely.

3. Accessibility Isn't One-and-Done
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Many organizations ask for ADA and WCAG compliance at launch. But accessibility is ongoing:

  • New content and layouts must be tested for contrast and screen reader compatibility
  • Automated scans catch regressions before they become legal liabilities
  • Staff need guidance on maintaining accessible practices post-launch

Maintaining accessibility is about serving all users—not just meeting a requirement.

4. Uptime, Backups, and Peace of Mind
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When your site is down, services are interrupted, and trust erodes. A robust maintenance plan includes:

  • Uptime monitoring
  • Automated backups and tested recovery processes
  • Proactive server and performance tuning

Even a few minutes of downtime during key service hours can disrupt a user's ability to apply for assistance, submit a request, or get critical updates.

5. A Plan for What's Next
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We don’t just want stability—you should also focus on growth. With site improvement as part of your support plan, your team can:

  • Add new features incrementally
  • Pilot integrations like AI and search enhancements or CRM integrations
  • Plan for version upgrades (Drupal 11, anyone?) before they become emergencies

We think of post-launch care as a partnership, not a product.

Want More Than a Launch? Plan for the Long Run.

At Electric Citizen, we include a detailed support and maintenance proposal with every website project. From security updates and performance monitoring to accessibility reviews and editor support, we help our clients’ websites stay relevant long after launch.

Let’s make your website work—not just today, but for years to come.

Contact us to talk support options

Author
Dan Moriarty headshot

About the Author:

Dan has been working as a UX/UI designer, business analyst and digital strategist since 2000, prior to founding Electric Citizen in 2012. More about Dan »