The Ultimate Website Maintenance Checklist
Website is the first impression your audience has of your business. It’s your 24/7 salesperson and a place where your audience meets your message.
To maintain that impression long-lasting, regular website maintenance is crucial. It is like you ensure your “digital home” is always ready to impress.
Previously we published website maintenance costs and on users request, we are publishing website maintenance checklists.
So, in this blog, we have created an interactive website maintenance checklist. It will help you maintain the health of your website so that it can remain a light of excellence in the digital universe.
Let’s get that tick.
22 Website Maintenance Tasks to Keep Your Website Up-to-date
1. Check for Website Backups
This task involves routine weekly checks to verify that website backups are scheduled and executed on a consistent basis. Also, ensure that the backup files are accessible and you can use them to recover data in case of any emergency. Examine all the backup logs or use backup verification tools to ensure data integrity.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? Usually it can be self-evaluated by the website admin.
Website Backup Status:
- Successful
- Failed
- Not checked recently
- Not applicable
2. Scan Broken Links
In this maintenance task, verify all the internal and external links to ensure that it takes users where they are meant to go. Use a link checker tool to scan your website and check if they are broken, as it can lead to 404 errors. After identifying broken links, fix them to maintain a seamless user experience.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated by the website admin using a link checker tool like Ahrefs, SEMrush, and Sitechecker.
Broken Links Status:
- All Good
- Found & Fixed
- Not Checked Recently
- Not Applicable
3. Analyze Website Loading Speed
This is a monthly maintenance task you need to do to ensure that the website loading speed is fast and provides seamless user experience & better search engine rankings. Use website speed testing tools to analyze the current speed and identify clogs.
Also, identify factors that contribute to slower load times, like images and scripts, and work on their optimization. A speedy website is a happy website.
Ideal Frequency: Monthly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated using the speed testing tools like GTmetrix and Pingdom.
Website Loading Speed Status:
- Fast
- Slow
- Moderate
- Not Sure
Also Read: How to Improve Your Website Performance? [Proven Ways]
4. Review Proper Browser Compatibility
Website compatibility is a periodical task to check to ensure website display and function properly across different web browsers and devices. Test across major browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Identify any inconsistencies or issues and make adjustments.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated by testing across various browsers and devices.
Browser Compatibility Status:
- Excellent
- Fair
- Poor
- Not Sure
5. Test Website Forms
In the activities of website maintenance, testing website forms is a must. Review each form functionality and validate all forms on your website. It includes contact forms, registration forms, and any other submission forms. Verify that data is submitted accurately in all forms and identify any errors in the submission process.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated.
Website Forms Status:
- Working Flawless
- Submission Errors
- Validation Issues
- Not Sure
6. Plugin and Theme Updates
One of the most crucial items on the WordPress website maintenance checklist is to update and manage website plugins and themes monthly. Review the available updates description and ensure plugins & themes are compatible with your current setup. Update all plugins to their latest version so it can keep them bug-free and secure.
Ideal Frequency: Monthly
Who can evaluate? It can be self-evaluated but hiring a WordPress developer for through checks and updates is recommended to maintain website performance.
Plugin and Theme Updates Status:
- Up-to-date
- Updates Available
- Not checked recently
- Not applicable
7. Conduct a Security Scan
When we talk about what is included in a website maintenance checklist, website security comes supreme. Conduct security scans to identify vulnerabilities and threats on your website. Use a security scanning tool to check malware and security risks and later review the scan results. If you identify any security issues, take the necessary steps to fix those concerns.
Ideal Frequency: Monthly
Who can evaluate? It can be self-evaluated using security scanning tools. However, for a robust website security, you contact an IT specialist.
Website Security Scan Status:
- No issues found
- Few vulnerabilities
- Major vulnerabilities
- Not sure
8. Ensure Sites Accessibility
A website should be a welcoming place for all visitors. So, check and work to improve website accessibility to ensure it complies with guidelines. Use accessibility assessment tools to know if your website complies with the WCAG standard. Identify issues such as keyboard navigation, proper heading structure, and alt text for images and make modifications to enhance accessibility.
Ideal Frequency: Annually
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated by the website admin using accessibility tools.
Website Accessibility Status:
- Compliant
- Non-compliant
- Partially compliant
- Not checked yet
Also Read: How to Test for Website Accessibility?
9. Review Website Design
A website maintenance task involves reviewing the website design for aesthetic and functional aspects. Ensure it is aligned with user preferences, brand guidelines, and current trends. Further, evaluate the overall design, including layout, colors, and typography. Identify areas for improvement and make necessary design updates.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? Usually self-evaluated, but hiring a website design company for a quarterly design review is recommended. They ensure your website is visually appealing and user-friendly and aligns with current trends.
Website Design Status:
- Optimal
- Improved
- Not Checked Recently
- Not Applicable
10. Analyze Website Traffic Patterns
Timely analyze and understand website traffic patterns by using analytics tools. It helps you track user behavior and preferences. Examine key metrics like page views, bounce rates, session duration, referral sources, and user demographics. Also, identify trends to make informed decisions and strategies for your website.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? It can be self-evaluated using tools like Google Analytics.
Website Traffic Analysis:
- Thriving
- Needs improvement
- Not checked
11. Monitor User Comments
The comment section is a thriving hub of interaction, so consistently monitor user comments on your website. Respond to user comments and questions in a timely and respectful manner. Moderate comments to ensure a respectful online environment.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated by website admin.
User Monitoring Status:
- Active
- Not checked
- Not applicable
12. Check For Mobile Responsiveness
This task includes a monthly website maintenance checklist where you have to periodically check and confirm that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive. Test your website on different mobile devices and screen sizes. Verify that design and content adjust properly for mobile users and, if not, make necessary modifications to enhance it.
Ideal Frequency: Monthly
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated by website admin, but hiring professionals or leveraging responsive website design services helps you ensure that your website provides an excellent user experience for mobile visitors. Website Responsive Status:
Website Responsive Status:
- Responsive
- Not responsive
- Not checked
- Not applicable
13. Perform Content Audit
Content is the heart of your website. So, periodically go through your website’s pages and articles to check for outdated information. Update content where necessary, including text, images, and multimedia. Ensure that your content aligns with your current branding and messaging.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? Usually self-evaluated.
Website Content Audit Status:
- Up-to-date
- Need to update
- Not checked
- Not applicable
14. Database Optimization
Website databases are a critical component, so you need to optimize it annually. Use database optimization tools or plugins to optimize your database. Remove unnecessary data, such as spam comments, old drafts, and redundant records. Schedule database maintenance to prevent sluggish performance of the website.
Ideal Frequency: Annually
Who can evaluate? Hiring a database administrator or web developer with expertise in database management is recommended to ensure excellent performance and remove unnecessary data from the website database.
Website Database Optimization Status:
- Optimized
- Need to improve
- Not checked
15. 404 Error Handling
A “404 Not Found” error can be a roadblock. Monitor your website and create a custom 404 page that helps users back to your website’s content. Set up redirects for broken links to relevant pages.
Ideal Frequency: Annually
Who can evaluate? It can be reviewed by the website admin. But an SEO specialist can review and ensure a user-friendly custom 404 page is in place and redirects are set up for broken links.
Website Error Status:
- Error-free
- Create custom 404 page & redirect
- Review pending
16. Check Social Media Links
Social media links are digital bridges, so review and validate them. Visit each social media link on your website and verify that it leads to the correct profile. If the links are broken or outdated, update them for seamless social media interaction.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? Self-analyzed
Website Social Media Status:
- Socially strong
- Required link maintenance
- Pending review
- No social link
17. Monitor Website Performance
In this task, analyze your website performance every week by using analytics tools. It helps you review overall site traffic, top and lowest-performing pages, bounce rate, engagement metrics, etc. Identify any performance issues and recommend suggestions to improve your website’s performance.
Ideal Frequency: Weekly
Who can evaluate? Hiring professionals will ensure to analyze in-depth weekly and recommend performance optimization insights.
Website Performance:
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
- Not sure
18. Review Key SEO Metrics
Your website is a goldmine of information, so analyzing key metrics helps you monitor website search engine performance and visibility. Track key metrics like website traffic, user behavior, backlinks, conversion rates, and content performance. Analyze the data and identify areas for improvement. Compare your metrics with competitors to gain a competitive edge.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? For a comprehensive review of key metrics, competitive analysis and strategic SEO improvements, hire website marketing experts.
SEO Metrics Status:
- Optimized
- Enhanced
- Not Checked Recently
- Not Applicable
19. Image Optimization
Images are worth a thousand words, so make sure it is working for you and not against you. Routinely optimize images to improve user experience. Compress them to reduce file size without compromising quality. Use appropriate and latest formats (Webp, JPEG, PNG) for different content types. Check if images are in the correct size and fit appropriately in their designated space.
Ideal Frequency: Quarterly
Who can evaluate? Hiring a web designer is recommended to ensure your images are optimized with correct file formats and appropriate sizes.
Website Image Optimization Status:
- Optimized
- Improved
- Pending
- N/A
20. Review Legal Compliance
In the list of website maintenance checklists, laws and regulations also exist. Ensure your website complies with legal standards in areas like privacy policies, terms of service, and copyright. Check if your website adheres to data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR). Ensure to stay updated on any legal changes related to your website’s operations.
Ideal Frequency: Annually
Who can evaluate? Self-evaluated
Website Legal Compliance Status:
- Compliant
- Enhanced
- Pending
- N/A
21. Monitor Usability Testing
User feedback is essential for your website’s success. So, direct usability testing to collect feedback from real users. Plan usability tests either in-house or with external users. Gather their feedback on the website’s design, functionality, and user experience. Further, implement improvements based on user feedback to enhance usability.
Ideal Frequency: Annually
Who can evaluate? Self evaluated
Usability Testing Status:
- Proactive
- Improved
- Not checked
- Not applicable
Are you feeling overwhelmed by this website maintenance checklist?
We get it! After all, maintaining a website is a challenging task. The good news is you are not alone in this digital space. Website health directly impacts your online success.
That’s why we are here. If you need expert guidance, reach out to us. Whether it’s handling the nitty-gritty technical stuff, ensuring legal compliance, or enhancing user experience, we’ve got your back.
We at Webyking are dedicated to providing the best website maintenance services tailored to your specific needs. Our team of website maintenance professionals is ready to support you on your journey to website excellence.