MAINTENANCE · HOSTING
Maintenance and hosting. A website kept up to date, backed up and monitored.
A website is not finished on the day it goes live. PHP versions reach end of life, the CMS and its plugins release fixes, the HTTPS certificate and the domain name need renewing. I take care of this invisible work so that your website stays available, secure and up to date, and I explain everything I do.
01 / UPDATES PHP, CMS and plugins, without breakage.
Every component of your website has a lifespan. A PHP version that is no longer maintained stops receiving security fixes, and an abandoned WordPress plugin becomes a way in. I keep an inventory of what your website is made of and plan the updates.
Before a major update, I take a backup and, where possible, test on a copy first. After the change, I check the key pages and the contact form. If something is wrong, we go back to the previous state.
02 / BACKUPS A backup only counts if it can be restored.
Files and the database are backed up regularly, keeping several versions and a copy outside the hosting if your plan allows it. How often depends on how quickly your website changes.
I check that a backup can actually be restored, on a copy, before you need it. After a hack, a mistake or a failed update, we know what can be recovered and how.
03 / HTTPS, MONITORING AND SECURITY Spot the problem before your clients do.
The HTTPS certificate normally renews itself: I check that it actually does, that every address redirects to the secure version and that security headers are in place. I can also set up uptime monitoring, which flags an outage or an approaching expiry date.
Ongoing security also means strong passwords, access limited to the people who need it, a contact form protected against abuse and checking the server logs. For an in-depth check, the security audit goes further.
04 / DOMAIN AND HOSTING Your domain name belongs to you.
The domain name should be registered in your company’s name, on an account you can access, with its renewal tracked. I also check the DNS settings that make the website and email work: MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records help your emails reach their destination.
For hosting, I work with o2switch, a French hosting provider based in Clermont-Ferrand: a cPanel management area, separate access restricted to your website, email addresses and forwarding. If your website is hosted elsewhere, I work with your current provider. When your page addresses change (redesign, new domain), I prepare a redirect plan to preserve search rankings, as for the ÉpavistePlus redesign.
05 / SMALL CHANGES Your website keeps pace with your business.
New opening hours, a new service, a photo to replace, a page to add: these changes are part of the ongoing support. You message me, I make the change, check how it looks on mobile and desktop, then let you know.
Nothing is changed without your approval, and you know what was done on your website and when.
06 / WHAT IS MONITORED What I check.
- PHP version, CMS and plugins
- File and database backups, with a tested restore
- HTTPS certificate, redirects and security headers
- Website uptime and domain name renewal date
- DNS for the website and email: MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC
- Access, passwords and unused accounts
GOING FURTHER Expertise in detail.
Your questions.
You did not build my website. Can you still maintain it?
Yes, after an initial review: the technology used, versions, access to the hosting and the domain name, existing backups. I tell you what I find before suggesting any ongoing support.
Do I need to change hosting provider?
Not necessarily. If your current hosting is reliable and up to date, we keep it. A move makes sense when your current plan falls short, for example an outdated PHP version or no backups. It is then prepared so that the website and email keep working during the move.
Who owns the domain name and the hosting?
You do. They should be in your company’s name, on your accounts. I access them with a dedicated login that you can remove at any time.
How much does maintenance cost?
It depends on the website’s technology, the number of plugins, how often backups run and how many changes you need. I give you a written scope after the initial review, before any commitment.
YOUR WEBSITE · ONE POINT OF CONTACT
Keep your website up to date and under control.
Send me your website address and, if you know it, your hosting provider. I look at what is visible from outside, such as the HTTPS certificate and security headers, before we talk.