A website is not finished at launch. To stay secure, fast and up to date, it needs a little care. What that involves depends on how it is built.
Hosting
The website lives on a server that delivers it. What matters is a provider with data centres in Europe, an encrypted connection via HTTPS and enough speed for pages to load quickly.
Updates and security
Systems with many plugins need regular updates, otherwise security gaps appear. Statically built websites have far fewer moving parts and therefore less to attack.
What belongs to regular care
- Backups that can actually be restored when needed.
- Checking that forms, bookings and links work.
- Renewing the domain and certificate in time.
- Keeping the legal notice, privacy information and opening hours up to date.
- Small changes to copy and images.
How to recognise good hosting
- Encrypted connection (HTTPS) at no extra cost.
- Fast loading, even when many visitors arrive at once.
- Regular backups that can be restored in an emergency.
- Clear information on where data is stored, and a data processing agreement if personal data is processed.
What happens if nobody takes care of it
Websites with outdated software are a popular target for attacks. Add expiring domains, forms that silently stop sending and content that is no longer correct. Much of this is only noticed when a customer asks. Regular maintenance prevents it before it causes trouble.
Static websites need less upkeep
A static website consists of finished pages without a database and without a system that constantly needs updating. That makes it fast and offers little attack surface. If you want to change content very often yourself, you need a content management system instead. What fits depends on how often things change for you.
Before launch, agree who takes care of these points and who owns the domain and logins. It saves a lot of searching later.
