Website support and maintenance in Ireland is one of those things that don’t present immediate issues. However, if neglected, over time it can lead to major problems that impede growth. But what is website maintenance anyway, and how much does it cost in Ireland?
Well, website maintenance entails checking the website regularly for flaws and issues and keeping it updated and relevant to the ever-changing online space. It is an essential practice to encourage continued traffic growth, enhance your Google rankings, and stay up to date with the best SEO practices. To put it simply, website maintenance allows you to make the most of your website.
On the other hand, websites that are not maintained regularly tend to fade over time. The functionality decreases as your website grows less and less relevant with each passing day. You’ll not only miss out on the chance of gaining new customers but retaining customers will also become challenging.
Therefore, website maintenance in Ireland is necessary even when if you are on a tight budget. It is best to set aside a budget for website maintenance and support to ensure the best results. Read on to find out how much you can expect to spend on website maintenance in Ireland.
How Much Does Website Maintenance Costs in Ireland?
The first thing you need to understand is that website maintenance is an umbrella term, which includes different tasks and activities. Therefore, the website maintenance costs in Ireland vary greatly depending on the services you choose, the unique requirements of your website, and your goals.
Most website maintenance service providers offer different packages to facilitate website owners. You can also look into it on your own. However, it will take a lot of time and effort on your end. Here’s a breakdown of website maintenance services that will help you understand more about the expenses.
Cost Determining Factors
Here’s everything that’s included in website maintenance and may affect the overall cost.
Framework, Plug-Ins & Extensions Updates
Different websites are built on different frameworks. However, one thing that’s common amongst all frameworks is that they are revised and updated regularly.
For example, WordPress, which is currently one of the most popular frameworks, rolls out a new version every couple of months. As a website owner, you must ensure that your website has the latest version so that it works optimally. The same goes for plug-ins and extensions.
While you can do it yourself, most people leave the task to the professionals as framework updates are generally included in even the most basic website maintenance plans. You can easily WordPress maintenance services in Ireland.
Hosting & Domain
The cost of hosting depends on the hosting plan you choose. In Ireland, shared hosting plans are generally cheaper and start as low as €4 per month. On the other hand, dedicated hosting is more costly, reaching up to €200 per month. You can choose the hosting plan, depending on the requirements of your website.
The domain name and SSL certificates are generally renewed annually. Failing to renew your domain on time can make your website unavailable on the internet. As a result, your SERP rankings will take a hit, which you don’t want.
A .ie and .co.uk domain name can set you back by €4.99 and €100 a year based on the name’s desirability. However, keep in mind that .com domains are slightly pricier. SSL certificates may cost €15 and €200 yearly, depending on the website.
Website Content Management
To keep your website relevant, you must create new content regularly. Plus, updating old content is also important stats, and prices get old quickly. The good news is that most frameworks feature Content Management System (CMS) to make it easier to update your website.
However, keep in mind that even if you take up website content management as a DIY project, content creation can still cost substantial effort and resources on your end. A better solution is to outsource both content creation and content management. It is easy, convenient, and cost-effective in the long term.
The cost of content creation and management will vary depending on your content needs and the content agency you choose.
SEO Updates & Best Practices
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is one of the most important aspects of website maintenance in Ireland. It can make or break your website. There’s simply no way around investing in SEO if you want to see your website in the top Google searches.
The problem is that it can be hard to keep up with the ever-evolving SEO practices. The better approach is to let SEO experts handle this side of website maintenance for you.
The cost of hiring an SEO specialist varies depending on your needs and the SEO expert’s experience. Freelancer SEO specialists generally charge less as compared to established companies. However, you may not get the same quality or results.
Website Backups
Nothing’s more heartbreaking than losing your website to a virus or malicious software without having a backup version to launch. Creating website backups can save you a lot of hassle down the line, which is why creating website backups is an integral part of website maintenance in Ireland.
Keep in mind that the process of backing up varies from framework to framework, which means you may have to do some homework if you plan on taking care of website maintenance on your own.
The Bottom Line
In today’s age of technology, a visually appealing and highly functional website is fundamental to business success. From increasing your credibility in the market to attracting new clients and customers and helping you reach your business goals – a website does it all.
However, building a website alone won’t cut it. You need to make sure that your website performs optimally at all times and fulfills its intended purpose. This is where website maintenance and support come in. It minimizes the risk of glitches and errors while enhancing the security and functionality of your website.
That being said, website maintenance in Ireland does not come without a cost. If you plan to do it yourself, you must learn a great deal about managing and maintaining different aspects of a website. However, it is best to outsource this job, especially if you don’t have tech-savvy members on your team.
Many web builders offer website maintenance services. Generally, the overall monthly website maintenance costs can range between €35 and €199 or more. Ultimately, the exact cost of website maintenance in Ireland depends on your goals, the services you choose, your audience’s size, content hosted, and other relevant factors.
