Running a business takes time. Between looking after customers, managing enquiries, keeping on top of paperwork and finding new work, maintaining a website is unlikely to be high on your list of priorities.

But websites still need looking after.

Software needs updating. Backups need to be taken. Security needs monitoring. Hosting needs managing. Content changes may be required, and occasionally something technical simply stops working as expected.

For many small businesses and SMEs, managing the technical side of a website simply isn’t the best use of valuable time.

A fully managed website combines professional website design, hosting, maintenance and ongoing support into one straightforward service. Instead of being responsible for updates, backups, security and technical problems, you have someone looking after your website for you.

This can save valuable time, reduce unexpected costs and provide small and medium-sized enterprises with reliable website support as their business develops.

What is a managed website?

A managed website is a website where the ongoing technical responsibilities are handled for you.

Rather than simply having a website built and being left to manage everything yourself, a managed website service continues after the website has launched.

Depending on the provider, this can include:

• Website hosting
• Software and plugin updates
• Regular backups
• Security monitoring
• Website maintenance
• Performance checks
• Technical support
• Minor website updates and changes

The exact services included will vary, so it is always worth checking what is covered before choosing a managed website provider.

For business owners who do not want to spend their time managing hosting accounts, updating website software or dealing with technical problems, a fully managed website provides a much simpler alternative.

1. You spend less time managing your website

One of the biggest benefits of a managed website is time.

Even relatively straightforward websites require ongoing attention.

Software updates need installing, backups should be checked, hosting needs renewing and technical problems occasionally need investigating.

Individually, these tasks may not seem particularly time-consuming. Over months and years, however, the time spent maintaining a business website can quickly add up.

There is also the time required to learn how everything works.

For most business owners, that time could be better spent looking after customers, completing work and developing the business.

With a managed website, the technical responsibilities are handled for you.

2. Your website is kept updated

Modern business websites are built using software that changes over time.

WordPress websites, for example, may use themes and plugins that regularly receive updates for security, compatibility, performance and new features.

Ignoring updates indefinitely can eventually cause problems.

However, simply clicking every available update button without checking the website afterwards is not always the best approach either.

A properly managed website should be updated carefully, with backups available and the website checked to make sure everything continues working correctly.

This ongoing maintenance helps keep your website reliable and reduces the likelihood of problems developing through neglect.

3. Backups are taken care of

Every business website should have reliable backups.

Websites can experience problems for many reasons, including failed software updates, server problems, accidental changes and security incidents.

Without a recent backup, restoring a damaged website can be difficult, expensive or sometimes impossible.

A managed website service should include regular backups and a clear process for restoring the website if something goes wrong.

More importantly, you do not have to remember to do it yourself.

4. Website security is regularly monitored

No website can be guaranteed to be completely immune from security problems.

However, keeping website software updated, using reputable hosting, maintaining backups and monitoring for potential problems can significantly reduce unnecessary risks.

A managed website puts these responsibilities in the hands of someone who regularly works with websites.

This means potential issues can often be identified and addressed before they become larger problems.

For a small business without an internal IT or website team, this ongoing oversight can be particularly valuable. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre also provides practical cyber security guidance for small businesses looking to protect their websites, accounts and business data.

5. You have one point of contact

When a self-managed website develops a problem, working out who is responsible can be surprisingly frustrating.

Is it the hosting company?

The website developer?

The domain provider?

A plugin developer?

A third-party service?

It can quickly turn into a chain of support tickets, emails and conversations between different companies.

With a fully managed website, you have one point of contact for the website, hosting and ongoing maintenance.

If there is a problem, you know who to speak to.

Simple.

6. Someone actually knows how your website works

Another advantage of an ongoing managed website service is continuity.

The person or company maintaining the website understands how it was built, which systems it uses and how the business uses the website.

This can make solving problems and making changes considerably easier.

Rather than explaining your website from scratch every time you need help, you have an ongoing working relationship with someone who already understands it.

For small businesses, having access to reliable website support can be just as valuable as the website itself.

7. Small website changes are easier to manage

Business websites rarely remain exactly the same forever.

You may need to update opening hours, add a new service, replace photographs, change staff details or amend existing content.

Without ongoing website support, even small changes can become another task to add to the list.

Depending on your managed website plan, minor website updates may be included or can be carried out quickly by the person already responsible for maintaining your website.

This helps keep your website accurate and useful without requiring you to become a website designer yourself.

8. Problems can be fixed before they become expensive

Neglected websites can become expensive websites.

Outdated software, poor hosting, missing backups and unresolved technical problems can eventually lead to larger issues.

In some cases, repairing an old or poorly maintained website can cost considerably more than looking after it properly in the first place.

Regular website maintenance allows smaller problems to be identified and dealt with before they develop into more serious issues.

Much like maintaining a car, prevention is usually easier than dealing with a breakdown.

9. Your website can evolve with your business

Businesses change.

You may introduce new services, target different customers, expand into new locations or change the way you operate.

Your website should be able to change with you.

An ongoing relationship with a website designer makes it easier to discuss improvements, introduce new content and adapt the website as your business develops.

Instead of rebuilding your website every few years because it has been neglected, regular maintenance and improvements can help extend its useful lifespan.

10. A managed website provides predictable costs

Unexpected website problems can be expensive.

Emergency repairs, security issues, website migrations and rebuilding neglected websites can all create costs that were not planned for.

A managed website usually provides a predictable monthly cost covering hosting, maintenance and ongoing support.

Depending on the service, the cost of designing and building the website may also be included within the monthly fee.

For many small businesses, this makes budgeting for a professional website considerably easier.

Managed website vs Self-managed website

Both options can be suitable depending on your experience, available time and how involved you want to be with your website.

If you are comfortable managing website software, hosting, backups and technical issues, a self-managed website may suit you perfectly.

If you would rather concentrate on running your business and leave the technical side to someone else, a managed website may be the better option.

Who are managed websites suitable for?

Managed websites can be particularly useful for:

• Small businesses without an internal website or IT team
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that need reliable ongoing website management
• Growing businesses that need their website to develop alongside their organisation
• Professional service businesses
• Local and regional businesses that rely on their website for enquiries
• Consultants and independent professionals
• Businesses that want predictable website costs and ongoing technical support
• Business owners and management teams who would rather focus on running the business than managing website technology

Ultimately, a managed website is suitable for any small business or SME that values convenience, reliable support and having someone responsible for keeping its website maintained, secure and working effectively.

Are managed websites worth it?

Whether a managed website is worth the cost depends on your circumstances.

If you enjoy managing websites, understand hosting and website software, regularly take backups and are comfortable solving technical problems, you may not need a managed service.

But most business owners did not start their business because they wanted to maintain WordPress websites.

The real value of a managed website is not simply hosting or software updates.

It is the time saved, the ongoing support, the predictable costs and the reassurance of knowing that someone is responsible for looking after your website.

For many small businesses, that makes a fully managed website a practical long-term investment.

Fully managed websites from Influense Design

Influense Design provides fully managed WordPress websites for businesses that want a professional online presence without the ongoing responsibility of managing the technical side themselves.

From the initial website design and build through to hosting, maintenance, backups, security and ongoing support, everything is looked after for you.

You have one reliable point of contact and a website that can continue to develop alongside your business.

If you would rather spend your time running your business than managing your website, take a look at my fully managed website plans or get in touch to discuss your requirements.