MidDevon Digital provides website maintenance services for businesses in Devon and across the UK. Our monthly care plans cover software updates, security, backups and hosting, with time included for changes. We look after sites on almost any platform, including ones built by someone else, and there are no long contracts.
Website maintenance and care plans, for sites built by anyone
What website maintenance actually involves
Website maintenance is the routine work that keeps a site secure, fast and working properly: updating the software it runs on, backing it up, monitoring it, and fixing small things before they become big ones.
Most business websites run on software that changes constantly. WordPress releases updates every few weeks, and every plugin and theme on the site has its own schedule. Each update fixes bugs and closes security holes. Skip them and the site gets slower, starts throwing errors, and eventually gets found by the automated tools that scan the web for out-of-date sites to break into.
Updates
Core software, plugins and themes, applied on a test copy first where the site is complex enough to need it, then on the live site. We check the site afterwards rather than assuming an update went fine.
Backups and security
Regular backups held separately from the hosting, so a hack or a bad update can be rolled back quickly. Security monitoring that tells us if something's changed that shouldn't have, and a firewall in front of the site.
Hosting and uptime
Fast, secure hosting with SSL is part of the plan. Uptime monitoring means we usually know the site is down before you do.
Changes and small jobs
Opening hours, a new team member, a price change, a new page. A couple of hours each month are included so these get done rather than sitting on a list.
We look after websites for businesses in Cullompton, Tiverton, Exeter, Honiton and across Devon and Somerset, and for clients further afield who've never needed to meet us in person. Web design and maintenance in Exeter →
Who needs a website maintenance plan
If you're nodding at any of these, it's probably time.
Your site runs on WordPress or another self-hosted platform
These need regular updates to stay secure. Skip them and the site gets slower, then gets hacked. WordPress maintenance is most of what we do.
The person who built it has gone
Freelancers move on, agencies close. If nobody's looking after your site, small problems turn into big ones. We take on sites built by anyone.
You keep meaning to update it and never do
Opening hours, new services, a team change. A care plan gives you time each month and someone to send the changes to.
You've had a scare
A hack, a broken form you didn't know about, a site that went down for a week. Once is enough.
Website maintenance packages
Two parts: a monthly plan that keeps the site healthy, and time for changes when you need them. You get a clear price in writing after a short call.
Monthly care plan
For WordPress and other self-hosted sites. Everything that needs doing in the background, done.
- Software, plugin and platform updates
- Security monitoring and regular backups
- Fast, secure hosting with SSL
- Uptime monitoring
- A couple of hours each month for changes
- Monthly report of what was done
Updates and changes by the hour
For anything beyond the plan, or for sites on hosted platforms that don't need one.
- Content updates and rewrites
- New pages and landing pages
- Page titles, meta descriptions and schema
- Plugin installation and setup
- Products added to online shops
- Fixes to forms, layouts and broken bits
Platforms we maintain
If it's on the web, we can almost certainly look after it.
Being clear about what's what
Care plans are simple, but a few things are worth saying up front.
- Hosted platforms like Duda, Wix and Squarespace don't need a care plan for updates, because the platform does them. You'd just pay by the hour for changes.
- Your domain stays in your name, always.
- Hours don't roll over, but they're yours to use however you like each month.
- Out-of-hours emergencies are charged separately.
- No long contracts. Give a month's notice and that's that.
- If we take on a site built by someone else, we'll audit it first and tell you if anything needs sorting before we start.
What clients say
Peter at MidDevon Digital has been absolutely amazing. His patience with my lack of technology is sound and I love the work he has done on our website. I would have no hesitation recommending him.
Pam Rawlings, P2HR, Bristol
Peter created a website for my business and I could not be happier with the outcome. Nothing was ever a problem when I wanted to change things and it was done in a timely manner.
Dan Currall, DC Plumbing and Heating, Chard
Website maintenance questions
Can't see yours?
Give us a ring on
01392 346700.
What does website maintenance include?
Software, plugin and theme updates, regular backups, security monitoring, hosting with SSL, uptime monitoring and a set amount of time each month for changes. Anything beyond that, like a new page or a redesign, is quoted separately.
How much does website maintenance cost?
It depends on the platform, the size of the site and how much changes each month. A straightforward WordPress site on a monthly plan costs a lot less than a large online shop. We give you a fixed monthly figure in writing after a short call, and there's no long contract.
How often should a website be maintained?
Updates should go on as they're released, backups at least monthly and ideally more often, and security monitoring should be continuous. Content should be reviewed every month or two so opening hours, prices and services stay right. A care plan does all of this without you having to remember.
Do I need a care plan?
If we built your site, it's already on a monthly hosting and support plan, so you don't need another one. If your site is on WordPress or another self-hosted platform and someone else built it, yes, or something equivalent. Updates and backups aren't optional. If it's on a hosted platform like Duda, Wix or Squarespace, you probably don't, and we'll say so.
Can you take on a site you didn't build?
Yes, and most of the sites on our care plans were built by someone else. We'll have a look first and let you know if anything needs fixing before we take it on.
Is hosting included?
Yes, for sites on the care plan. We move the site to our hosting as part of the setup, and the domain stays in your name.
What if something breaks out of hours?
We'll fix it. Emergency work outside normal hours is charged separately, and we'll tell you before we start.
Is there a contract?
No long one. It's month to month, and a month's notice is all it takes to stop.
Other ways we can help with your website
Want someone looking after your site?
Tell us where it is and what it runs on, and we'll come back with a plan and a fixed monthly price.
