Most of the conversation about websites is about getting one built. Far less is said about what happens on the day after launch, which is a shame, because that’s when the site starts earning its keep or slowly falling apart.
A website isn’t a brochure that sits in a drawer. It runs on software that needs updating, it sits on hosting that needs paying for, and your business keeps changing, so your prices, team and services on the site need to change with it.
This guide explains what website maintenance for a small business should actually cover, what it typically costs, and how to tell whether a maintenance plan is doing real work or just sending an invoice.
What website maintenance should cover
A good maintenance arrangement covers five things. If a plan you’re offered leaves one out, ask who’s responsible for it instead.
Hosting. Your site has to live on a server somewhere. Good hosting is fast, reliable and close to where your customers are, and it comes with a security certificate so your site loads over HTTPS.
Security and updates. Every website runs on software, and software gets security updates. Sites built on WordPress and similar platforms also have themes and plugins that need regular updating, and an out-of-date plugin is one of the most common ways small-business sites get hacked.
Backups. If something goes wrong, you need a recent copy of the site that can be restored quickly. Ask how often backups are taken, where they’re kept and how long a restore takes.
Changes to your content. New prices, a new team member, an updated service or a holiday closure notice are all part of running a business. Someone needs to make those changes promptly, and you should know how long they take.
Keeping an eye on it. That means checking the site is up, that forms still deliver enquiries to your inbox and that nothing has quietly broken. A contact form that stopped working three months ago is one of the most expensive problems a small business can have, because nobody notices it.
What it typically costs
Prices vary by city, provider and how much the plan includes, so treat these as a guide rather than a quote.
- Doing it yourself on a website builder: roughly $20–$60 a month for the platform, which covers hosting and security, plus your own time for every change.
- Basic hosting and updates from a freelancer or agency: often $50–$150 a month. Changes to your content are usually billed by the hour on top.
- A managed plan that includes changes: often $250–$750 a month for a small-business site, depending on its size and how quickly changes are made.
When you compare quotes, the monthly figure matters less than what happens when you ask for a change. A cheap plan that bills every edit by the hour can cost more over a year than a plan that includes them. Our guide to what a small-business website costs covers the build side of the same question.
Signs your maintenance plan isn’t working
- You don’t know who to contact when something needs changing.
- Changes take weeks, or you’ve stopped asking for them because each one costs too much.
- Your site loads slowly on a phone, and nobody has mentioned it.
- You get a monthly invoice but never hear what was done.
- Your copyright footer, your team page or your prices are out of date.
If two or more of those sound familiar, your site is probably being hosted rather than maintained.
Should you maintain the site yourself?
You can, and on a simple website builder it’s perfectly reasonable. The question is whether it’s the best use of your time. Most owners who manage their own site make changes in bursts, when something is badly out of date, rather than keeping it current. It also means you’re the one who has to notice when a form breaks or the site slows down.
If you enjoy it and the site is simple, doing it yourself is fine. If you’d rather send a short email and have it done properly, a managed plan is usually cheaper than your own hours.
What we include
Every site we build is looked after under Care. We host it, keep it secure and backed up, keep it fast, and make the changes you ask for, usually within two business days. Changes to your copy, images and prices are included, and new pages or features are quoted as extras.
Care is billed monthly at the rate set by your package, from A$250 a month for an Essential site. It has a 12-month minimum, then runs month to month, and if you’re not happy in your first 90 days after go-live, it ends there with nothing more to pay on the minimum term. Read how Care works.
Frequently asked questions
How much does website maintenance cost for a small business?
It usually ranges from about $20 a month on a website builder you manage yourself, to $50–$150 a month for basic hosting and updates, to $250–$750 a month for a managed plan that includes your content changes.
How often does a small-business website need maintenance?
Security updates and backups should happen continuously in the background. Content changes happen whenever your business changes, and a good plan makes them within a few business days. It’s also worth a full check of speed, forms and search basics every few months.
What happens if I don’t maintain my website?
The site gradually slows down and drifts out of date, and if it runs on software like WordPress, missed updates leave it open to being hacked. The quieter risk is a broken contact form that loses enquiries for months before anyone notices.
