What's included in a website care plan as standard?
A good plan covers six things. If one is missing, ask why.
- Updates: the platform, plugins, themes or code dependencies, kept current and tested after each update.
- Backups: regular copies of the site and its data, stored away from the live site, with restores tested, not just assumed.
- Monitoring: alerts when the site goes down, the SSL certificate is about to fail or something suspicious appears.
- Security: fixing known weaknesses, tidying old user accounts and keeping logins protected.
- A monthly health check: speed, broken links, forms, and errors in Google Search Console.
- Small changes: text, images and new sections, within an agreed monthly allowance.
What do the better care plans add?
The difference between a basic plan and a useful one is usually the people. Can you message a person and get a reply quickly? Do they spot problems before you do? Do they tell you what they did each month?
Some plans also include hosting, priority support, SEO checks or content updates. Those are worth having if you'd otherwise pay for them separately.
What isn't usually included?
Big new features, redesigns, new page templates and anything that takes more than the monthly allowance. Most providers quote those separately.
Fixing damage from a hack that happened before the plan started is often extra too, as is work on systems the plan doesn't cover, such as your email or a third-party booking tool. Get the exclusions in writing.
How do you check a website care plan before you sign?
Ask these eight questions. The answers tell you more than the price.
- What exactly is updated, how often, and who tests the site afterwards?
- How often are backups taken, where are they stored, and when did you last test a restore?
- What's monitored, and who gets the alert at night or at the weekend?
- How do I ask for changes, and how quickly do you usually reply?
- What's the monthly changes allowance, and what happens if I go over it?
- Is hosting included, or do I pay for it separately?
- What do I get each month to show what was done?
- Is there a minimum term, and do I keep full access to my site and domain if I leave?
Do you need a care plan at all?
Not if your site is simple, rarely changes and you're comfortable handling updates, backups and fixes yourself. Static sites on modern hosting need far less looking after than a plugin-heavy WordPress site.
But if your website brings in enquiries or sales, an hour of downtime or a broken form costs real money. A care plan is insurance with someone attached.