WordPress Website Management Tips for Agencies

Web development agencies build hundreds of websites annually,  but the job doesn’t stop there. Keeping those websites secure, fast, and up-to-date often falls on their shoulders too. This ongoing care – what some call website maintenance, what others call website management – can be crucial for you and your client’s success.

At White Label Agency, we’ve been providing this crucial service to our own clients for years, and the benefits have been undeniable. We’ve seen firsthand how effective website maintenance translates to happier clients, a stronger reputation, and a more efficient agency. 

In this blog, we’ll draw on our experience as an agency to equip you with tested practices and tips to confront the challenges of WordPress website management.

Why Ongoing WordPress Maintenance Matters

At White Label Agency we have learned the immense value of offering ongoing website maintenance – for both our clients and our agency. 

Here’s how ongoing WordPress maintenance can benefit your clients:

• Security Shield: Websites are constantly under attack from hackers. Regular maintenance includes security scans and updates, as well as patching vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. A compromised website can lead to data breaches, irreversible damage to your reputation and lost revenue for your clients.
• Performance Champion: Outdated plugins, unoptimized code, and neglected databases all contribute to a sluggish website. Ongoing maintenance ensures your clients’ websites load quickly and deliver a seamless user experience. This is critical for conversions and keeping visitors engaged.
• Future-Proofing: The world of WordPress is constantly evolving. Regular updates will ensure your clients’ websites benefit from the latest features, security patches, and compatibility fixes. Without these updates, websites can become outdated and vulnerable.

Beyond the immense value it offers your clients, ongoing website management presents significant benefits for your agency.

Tiered WordPress Website Management Plans

At White Label Agency (WLA), we’ve learned that there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” website management plan. Client needs vary, and so should your service offerings. That’s why we’ve developed a range of four distinct WordPress website management plans. We advise you to go with a tiered approach for a number of reasons:

• Client Choice & Satisfaction: By offering options, you help clients choose a plan that aligns perfectly with their specific needs. This ensures they’re paying for the exact level of service that they require.
• Scalability & Growth: A tiered system allows you to scale your services as your clients’ websites evolve. They can upgrade to a more comprehensive plan as their website traffic grows or the complexity of the features they offer increases.
• Attracting New Clients: A wider range of plans allows you to attract a broader clientele. Budget-conscious businesses can opt for basic maintenance, while larger corporations have access to premium, feature-rich plans.

Regardless of the plans you offer, having a robust project management tool is essential. As your client base grows, managing website maintenance tasks across multiple websites can quickly become overwhelming. Tools like ClickUp, Asana, and Trello allow you to create tickets for specific tasks, track progress, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

The Three Pillars of WordPress Website Management

In this section, we will break down three fundamental WordPress website management tasks that you should be implementing for every website you manage: updating themes and plugins, keeping the WordPress core up-to-date, and establishing a regular website backup routine. Neglecting these crucial steps can lead to security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and eventually, frustrated clients.

Update Plugins and Themes Regularly

Just like your phone apps, WordPress themes and plugins need regular updates. These updates often include bug fixes, security patches, and compatibility improvements. Outdated themes and plugins can leave your website vulnerable to attacks, slowing down performance, and breaking functionality.

Most themes and plugins offer automatic update options. However, consider testing updates on a staging site first to avoid any unexpected issues on your live website.

Don’t Forget About WordPress Core Updates

The WordPress core itself also requires regular updates. These updates address security vulnerabilities, improve functionality, and introduce new features. Running an outdated WordPress core version puts your website at significant risk of hacking. Luckily, WordPress core updates are straightforward so you can typically update directly from your WordPress dashboard. 

Back-Up Regularly: Your Website’s Safety Net

Unexpected events like plugin conflicts, hosting issues, or even accidental user errors can damage your website. A recent backup allows you to restore your website to a previous working state, minimizing downtime and data loss.

Here at WLA, we recommend creating regular backups for your entire website, including the database, themes, plugins, and content. There are several backup plugins available for WordPress, making the process simple and automated.

Get Help From White Label Partner

If your digital marketing agency isn’t offering WordPress website management to your clients, you’re missing out on a significant opportunity. These services not only provide a reliable, recurring revenue stream for your agency,  they’re also surprisingly easy to implement once you establish them.  Plus, keeping your clients’ websites secure, optimized, and running smoothly leads to happier, more satisfied customers  – a win-win for everyone.

Even if you’re interested in offering website management but lack the internal resources, White Label Agency is here to help! We offer a range of flexible maintenance packages that seamlessly integrate with your existing services. Contact White Label Agency today! We’ll be happy to discuss your specific needs.