April 19th, 2023
Your charity’s website is the face of your organisation online. It’s the first point of contact for people looking to learn more about your cause and people wanting make a donation. In order to make the most of this valuable tool, you need to ensure that your website is well-maintained and up-to-date.
Website maintenance is the process of regularly checking your website for problems and making updates and changes to ensure it is running smoothly. This includes things like checking for broken links, updating text and images, and keeping it secure. Here are some reasons why website maintenance matters for your charity:
Security is a concern for any website owner, but it’s especially important for charities. If your website is hacked, it can result in lost donations, stolen personal information, and damage to your reputation. Regular website maintenance can help prevent security breaches by updating security software, fixing vulnerabilities, and monitoring for suspicious activity.
At Red Ink we have taken over sites that have been neglected, and on occasion have been hacked. We’ve usually found that the cause was either a missed update or outdated software which has led to vulnerabilities that have compromised the security of the site.
It’s always costlier to fix an intrusion than it is to prevent it happening in the first place, not to mention the damage that an hacked site can do to your search engine rankings.
A well-maintained website is essential for providing a positive user experience. Visitors to your website expect it to load quickly and function smoothly. If your website is slow or difficult to navigate, visitors will become frustrated and leave without making a donation. Regular maintenance can help ensure that your website is optimized for speed and usability.
It is a mistake to launch a site and then forget about it. It needs careful attention to be kept in good running order. Over time, files and links get changed and things can easily break. Mentioning no names, we have come across E-Commerce sites where the link to the main product is broken! Or charity sites where the donation process doesn’t allow donations to be made. The damage to revenue and membership is obvious, but there is also reputational damage as the credibility of the site and therefore the organisation is affected.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving traffic to your website. Ensuring your content is up-to-date, your website is mobile-friendly, and your website is free of technical errors will help improve your search engine ranking, increasing your visibility to donors and other stakeholders.
There is no greater driver of traffic to your site than quality content that is regularly added to and updated. Search engines check for new and improved content as a verification of your organisations authority and trustworthiness. Users come back for real and informed insights into your work.
In the competitive world of online fundraising, and fast-changing landscape of digital presentation, it’s important to stay ahead. Regular website maintenance can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, ensuring that your website is always on the cutting edge.
Website maintenance involves a range of tasks, including:
Broken links can harm your website’s user experience and SEO. Regularly checking your website for broken links and fixing them can help improve your website’s functionality and ensure that users can easily find the information they need.
Keeping your website’s content up-to-date is important for maintaining the interest of your audience. Regularly updating your website with new content, such as blog posts, news articles, or fundraising events, can help keep visitors engaged and informed about your cause.
Keeping your website secure is critical for protecting sensitive donor information and ensuring that your website is not hacked. Regularly monitoring your website’s security, updating software, and fixing vulnerabilities can help keep your website safe.
Website speed is a crucial factor in determining user experience and SEO. Over time, website admins can add large image files and documents that slow a site down. Not only does this use up data for mobile users, but Google can penalise sites that aren’t made optimal for quick viewing.
Ensures website functionality: A website is like a machine with many parts that need regular maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly. Website maintenance helps to identify and fix any issues that could impact website functionality, such as broken links, slow loading times, and other technical issues. This ensures that your website visitors can have a seamless experience when using your site, which can help to build trust and credibility.
Enhances website security: One of the biggest risks to any website is security breaches. Cybercriminals are always on the lookout for vulnerabilities they can exploit to gain access to sensitive information. Regular website maintenance, including software updates and security patches, can help to minimize the risk of security breaches.
Boosts website performance: Website maintenance can also help to improve website performance. Regular updates can improve website speed and performance, which can help to improve search engine rankings and increase website traffic. This is particularly important for charities that rely on their website to drive donations and raise awareness.
Increases website lifespan: Like any machine, a website has a limited lifespan. Regular maintenance can help to extend the lifespan of your website by addressing issues before they become major problems. This can help to save money in the long run by reducing the need for costly repairs or website rebuilds.
Provides a better user experience: A well-maintained website can provide a better user experience for visitors. This includes everything from easy navigation to fast load times and relevant, up-to-date content. By providing a better user experience, charities can engage their audience and encourage them to take action, whether that’s making a donation, signing up for a newsletter, or volunteering.
Ensures compliance with regulations: Charities have a responsibility to comply with various regulations, including data protection laws and accessibility standards. Website maintenance can help to ensure that your website is compliant with these regulations, which can help to avoid legal issues and reputational damage.
Neglecting website maintenance can have serious consequences for charities. Here are some of the most common issues that can arise from neglecting website maintenance:
Security breaches: Neglecting website maintenance can leave your website vulnerable to security breaches, which can result in the loss of sensitive information, financial loss, and reputational damage.
Slow load times: A website that hasn’t been maintained can become slow and sluggish, which can lead to a poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.
Broken links: Broken links can make it difficult for visitors to find the information they need, which can result in frustration and a higher bounce rate.
Outdated content: Outdated content can make your website look unprofessional and out of touch with current events. This can lead to a lack of trust from visitors and a decrease in website traffic.
Incompatibility with new devices: As technology evolves, websites need to keep up to ensure compatibility with new devices and platforms. Neglecting website maintenance can lead to compatibility issues that could result in lost traffic and revenue.
Legal issues: Neglecting website maintenance can result in non-compliance with various regulations, including data protection laws and accessibility standards. This can lead to legal issues and reputational damage.
Higher long-term costs: Neglecting website maintenance can result in bigger problems down the line that require costly repairs or even a complete website rebuild. This can be more expensive than regular maintenance in the long run.
Another important aspect of website maintenance is regular backups. Backups allow you to restore your website to its previous state in case of any errors, hacks or crashes. It is recommended that you backup your website at least once a week, but depending on the frequency of changes made to your website, daily backups may be necessary.
While you may be able to handle some basic website maintenance tasks yourself, it is important to hire a professional for more complex tasks. A professional web developer can ensure that your website is running smoothly and efficiently, and can help prevent issues such as downtime, broken links, or slow page load times. In addition, they can help keep your website up-to-date with the latest software and security updates.
Hiring a professional for website maintenance can also save you time and effort, allowing you to focus on your core business activities. Instead of spending time troubleshooting website issues, you can trust a professional to handle the maintenance and upkeep of your website, giving you peace of mind and ensuring that your website remains in top condition.
Q: How often should I perform website maintenance?
A: It is recommended to perform website maintenance on a regular basis, at least once a month. However, the frequency of maintenance depends on the complexity and frequency of changes made to your website.
Q: What is included in website maintenance?
A: Website maintenance can include a variety of tasks such as security updates, backups, content updates, SEO optimization, and bug fixes.
Q: Why is website maintenance important for my charity’s online success?
A: Website maintenance ensures that your website is running smoothly and efficiently, and helps prevent issues such as downtime or slow page load times. By keeping your website up-to-date and optimized for search engines, you can increase your online visibility and attract more traffic to your website, ultimately helping your charity achieve its online goals.
Website maintenance is an essential part of your charity’s online success. It ensures that your website is running smoothly, efficiently, and securely, helping to prevent issues such as downtime, broken links, or slow page load times. By keeping your website up-to-date and optimized for search engines, you can increase your online visibility and attract more traffic to your website, ultimately helping your charity achieve its online goals. Whether you choose to handle website maintenance yourself or hire a professional, it is important to make website maintenance a priority in order to ensure the long-term success of your charity’s online presence.
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