Whether it has something to do with your site’s template provider, an uncooperative line of code, or even a “hack,” websites can go down due to unforeseen circumstances. In fact, a lot of new clients reach out to us saying: “My website blew up and I can’t restore it!”
Sure, some website platforms today come with automated backup technology, but restoring a website is often not as straightforward as restoring a few files. Even if your website is registered and hosted with big name providers like GoDaddy, HostGator, or Web.com, there’s no guarantee they can recover your company’s site in one piece. And it’s not because their service is insufficient, it’s just that it’s not what their service is built to do.
Maintain and backup your open source website
A common problem is when a site theme goes out of date, the site goes down or malfunctions in some way -- and the website owners are unable to recover their site. Without a backup and without access to your themes and plug-ins, your hosting provider won’t be able to tell what your site looked like before it “exploded,” let alone be able to put it back as it was.
If your company uses a self-hosted website, make sure the theme is maintained professionally, including full site backups, so you have a reliable recovery point. Third-party plugins/addons should also be updated to remain compatible with future WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, or other website platforms.
Much like managing the download and application of security patches for software, keeping themes and plugins up to date also works as a preventative measure -- in other words, you can avoid error code events before they even happen.
Hire a reliable ongoing web management service not just a one-shot developer
If your business is in it for the long run, so should your website! Another problem many of our clients encounter is not being able to get a hold of the developer, who originally built their site. What happens when the developer suddenly goes out of business and therefore can’t update your website?
As unlikely as this scenario may be, you’d be surprised by how many calls we receive with this exact same issue. Ask yourself: is the person maintaining my website in it for the long haul? If that answer looks to be a resounding “no”, then your website strategy is questionable at best.
The point is, designing and managing a business website (and keeping it from blowing up) requires long-term dedication and up-to-date knowledge in web technologies and design practices.
If you’re a business owner who wants to redesign, maintain, and back up your open source CMS while growing your business, working directly with trusted IT AND Web professionals is the solution.
We here at CDS offer websites and digital marketing services with our trusted partner, Pronto Marketing. We work together tirelessly to keep your website up to date, secure, and always running. Because, at the end of the day, the only thing that should blow up is the popularity of your website and your business. If you’d like to improve and secure your Web presence, contact us today.
