A small business website or charity website only works if it stays online, loads quickly, and does what visitors expect. That doesn't mean you need to become a developer—it means doing a few simple checks regularly. This guide covers the basics: backups, updates, SSL and security, forms and links, and performance. Follow this checklist and you'll keep your site running smoothly and know when it's time to get help.
Back Up Your Site Regularly
Backups are your safety net. If something goes wrong—a bad update, a hack, or accidental changes—you can restore your site to a working state. Many hosting providers offer automatic backups; check your control panel or support docs to see how often they run and how to restore. If you use WordPress or another CMS, consider a backup plugin or service that stores copies off the server (e.g. in the cloud) so you're not relying on a single place.
Aim for at least weekly backups of your site and database, and before any big change (e.g. updating a major plugin or theme). Keep a few older backups, not just the latest one. Knowing you can recover quickly gives you confidence to keep your site updated and running.
Keep Software and Plugins Updated
Outdated core software (e.g. WordPress) and plugins are a common cause of security issues and breakages. Updates often fix bugs and close security gaps. Check your admin area or dashboard regularly for available updates; many systems will show a notice. Apply them in a calm moment rather than right before a busy period, and make sure you have a recent backup first.
If you're not sure what an update does, read the short description or changelog. If you use a lot of plugins, update one or two at a time and check the site afterward. Remove any plugins or themes you no longer use—fewer moving parts mean less to maintain and a smaller attack surface for security.
Check SSL, Forms, and Links
Your site should be served over SSL (the padlock in the browser)—that keeps data between visitors and your site encrypted. Most hosts offer free SSL (e.g. Let's Encrypt); if your site still shows "Not secure", ask your host or developer to enable it. Once it's on, avoid mixing http and https; use https everywhere.
Every few months, test your contact form: submit a message and confirm it arrives and any auto-replies work. Click through key links (menu, footer, main calls-to-action) to catch broken or outdated links. Fix or remove anything that no longer works so visitors and search engines don't hit dead ends. These small checks protect both uptime and trust.
Monitor Speed and When to Get Help
Site speed affects both user experience and search visibility. Use a free tool like Google PageSpeed Insights occasionally: enter your URL and review the suggestions. You don't have to act on every detail, but big issues (e.g. very slow load, large unoptimised images) are worth addressing. Many hosts and CMS plugins offer basic performance options (caching, image compression); enable what you're comfortable with or ask your developer.
Website maintenance doesn't have to be overwhelming. If you've got backups, updates, and SSL in place and you're checking forms and links, you're already doing a lot. When things go beyond that—redesigns, new features, persistent slowness, or security concerns—getting a professional to help can save time and keep your small business website or charity site running smoothly for the long term. If you'd like to discuss your site, get in touch.