keeping websites up to date

Top 3 Reasons Why Keeping Websites Up To Date Matters

Keeping websites up to date is about more than staying relevant—it’s beneficial to you, your clients, and your business. Regular updates keep a website running smoothly. They also help ensure positive experiences with your website, building client trust. Regular updates also keep a website more secure, protecting your clients’ data and the reputation of your business. If doing your own website maintenance feels intimidating, contact us to learn about how we can help.

Why is keeping websites up to date so important?

Managing your website involves regular upkeep and maintenance. While you may have a plan to keep your website content relevant, it’s easy to forget the technological side of website maintenance, the part the user doesn’t see. 

Say you’ve just created a stunning WordPress website and think your work is done. In reality, your work has actually only just begun. Keeping your website up to date is about more than simply refreshing content and updating images—but it can be a lot of additional and potentially unexpected work. 

To keep your new WordPress website up to date, you’ll need to continuously update the WordPress core and plugins. This kind of technical website maintenance can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t comfortable taking on this kind of workload or lack the know-how. For this reason, a WordPress maintenance service could be the solution to ease your stress and keep your website running smoothly. 

In this article, we’ll explore the top three reasons why keeping websites up to date is so important. We’ll also outline how Clio’s professional website management solutions might be helpful to you. 

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1. Keeping websites up to date for security

Your website’s security should be your first order of business. Ensuring the technology supporting your website is up to date also means keeping your website as secure as possible. WordPress and plugin developers frequently release updates to the core and plugins, keeping your website up to date with the latest security features. 

Whether you’re running a website that manages sensitive data or not, it’s crucial to consider your website’s  security. As the website’s owner, you’re working to establish a relationship of trust with potential clients. Keeping your website up to date and secure is just the first step in this process. Doing so helps you avoid issues with hackers or potential malware that could have a negative effect on your business and clients. 

Your company’s credibility and reputation can be safeguarded by taking appropriate preventative steps toward website security and maintenance. It is your responsibility to protect both your customers and yourself. Though accidents do happen, don’t let it be over a simple and preventable oversight such as this. In 2024, the number of reported data breaches increased by 211% compared to 2023, according to the ID Theft Resource Center. With data breaches and compromises becoming increasingly more common, it’s more important than ever to keep your website up to date with security in mind.

Working with a reputable local website development company like Clio ensures that your WordPress site is always up to date, backed up, and secure. 

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2. Keeping websites up to date for performance

Updates do more than just ensure website security—they can actually impact many factors of how a website performs. If you fail to manage these updates properly, it can lead to problems with your website. The last thing that you want is to lose business because an important button on your website stopped working, or a prominent page suddenly became inaccessible. 

For example, neglecting to install an update might mean your website takes longer to load. In a worst-case scenario, your website could stop working entirely. These issues could lead to dissatisfied clients and even a loss of business. Potential clients or customers who encounter these website issues could be put off by perceived poor performance, causing them to look elsewhere.

WordPress websites tend to slow down after some time as content and functionality is added to the website. Don’t be afraid to make changes and updates, as these impacts can be mitigated. Keeping the core and plugins up to date will ensure that your website performs well and is quick to load every time a client visits to learn more about your business or purchase products. 

Routine maintenance is key to website longevity and performance over time. When you manage these updates appropriately, you (and your customers) can enjoy a website experience that works as well three years into its existence as it did on day one. 

Not least of all, a well-performing, up-to-date website instills confidence in your clients and customers. An attractive website that functions properly creates a positive first impression that reflects the quality of goods or services you’re offering before you have the opportunity to connect with them personally. 

3. Keeping websites up to date for client trust

Your website is your first opportunity to connect with clients and start building your image—it’s your chance to influence how you want to be seen by potential clients. A website that’s easy to interact with and responsive makes a positive first impression.

While website maintenance might seem like a technical task, it keeps your site running smoothly and securely. A seamless website experience shows that you’re organized and detail-oriented. By providing your clients with a positive website experience, you create trust in your business, encourage connection, and increase your likelihood of sales.

The time you spend keeping your website up to date isn’t wasted. It’s an investment in your reputation, a chance to create relationships, and a way to keep your business relevant and accessible. 

How Clio can help you with website maintenance

Not everyone who owns a website feels comfortable with the technology side of it, and that’s okay. We understand that this side of maintaining a website can be intimidating, and we’re here to help. 

Clio is a professional web design company that also manages WordPress and HTML websites for an affordable monthly fee. If you’re overwhelmed or intimidated by the process of managing your own website, contact us to learn more about how we can keep your site running without a hitch.

As a WordPress website maintenance service, Clio will seamlessly and professionally manage all aspects of your website. This will help give you peace of mind about your website’s security and also its quality. We recognize that maintaining a website can be challenging, and we’re here to help. Take a look at what some of our past clients have to say about working with us.

Clio has helped more than 300 businesses globally, providing high-caliber, brand-driven, and memorable designs. Past projects include completely redesigning The Square Ball’s website, improving visibility and saving them thousands in monthly hosting fees. We also achieved number one search visibility for A Proactive Driving School, an incredible improvement from previously ranking eighth. These are just a few examples of the kinds of results that are possible when you partner with us for professional website management.

We are Calgary WordPress experts, and we take pride in being pleasant to work with, responsive, and professional. We’re here to help you maintain and expand your current website project, keep your website running smoothly, and ensure your customers’ security. 

Keeping websites up to date FAQs

1. Why is it important to keep my website up to date?

Keeping your website updated ensures security, improves performance, and enhances user experience. Regular updates help prevent security vulnerabilities, maintain fast load times, and keep your site functioning properly.

2. How do website updates improve security?

Developers frequently release updates for WordPress core and plugins to patch security vulnerabilities. Keeping these updated helps protect your website from hackers, malware, and data breaches, ensuring the safety of your business, customers and reputation.

3. Can an outdated website affect performance?

Yes. Older websites may load slowly, have broken features, or experience technical issues. Regular updates help maintain fast loading times and help create a seamless user experience.

4. What happens if I don’t update my website?

Ignoring updates can lead to security breaches, malfunctions, and a poor user experience. In severe cases, an outdated website can crash or be compromised, putting your business and customer data at risk.

5. How often should I update my website?

It’s best to check for updates at least once a month. Security updates should be applied as soon as they become available to minimize risks.

6. What if I’m not comfortable handling website updates myself?

If managing website updates feels overwhelming, professional maintenance services—like those offered by Clio—can handle updates, backups, and security for you.

7. What services does Clio provide for website maintenance?

Clio offers comprehensive website management, including security updates, performance optimization, backups, and ongoing technical support to ensure your site stays up to date.

8. How can I get started with Clio’s website maintenance services?

Getting started is simple—just contact Clio to learn more about their affordable maintenance plans and find the best option for your website’s needs.

About the author

Nat Miletic is the founder of Clio Websites, a Calgary-based web design company. Nat writes about WordPress, SEO, and responsive web design.