WordPress is a popular platform for creating websites, but maintaining them can be time-consuming. Fortunately, WordPress support services are available to help with a variety of maintenance tasks. In this article, we will explore what WordPress support services are, the benefits and drawbacks of using them, and how to choose the right provider for your needs.
What are WordPress Support Services?
WordPress support services are professional agencies that provide assistance with many of the maintenance tasks that come along with running a website. This includes updating plugins and WordPress core, malware removal, and speeding up WordPress. Some services also offer general WordPress support, such as changing themes, improving site performance, or installing plugins.
The Benefits of Hiring a WordPress Support Service
Investing in a support service can pay off in big ways. Serious errors and security breaches can lead to downtime for your website, which is costly as you lose out on traffic and sales. If your site is unavailable, people who are trying to access it may become concerned about the safety of visiting it. This can damage your brand’s reputation, which is difficult to recover even after your website has been restored.
If you’re not confident in your ability to quickly resolve serious issues and get your site back online in a timely manner, having a support service on hand can be a life saver. As a web developer handling the maintenance of several client websites, outsourcing maintenance tasks is an easy way to buy back some of your valuable time. You may even be able to take on more clients, offer a wider variety of services, and grow your business as a result.
Potential Drawbacks of Using a WordPress Support Service
One drawback of using a support service is that a third party has access to you or your client’s website, which can be unnerving. However, if you implement proper WordPress security precautions, you should be able to minimize the risks. Support services can also be expensive depending on your needs. There are plugins available to automate website upkeep, but most include yearly or monthly fees as well as upsells. If you price out these separate solutions, using plugins may cost more in the long run.
How to Choose the Right WordPress Support Service
To choose the right provider for you, it’s important to select one that is well-suited to your skill level, the needs of your website, and your budget. Keeping the following factors in mind should help you evaluate whether a particular service is worth considering.
1. Ongoing vs. Occasional Support
If you’re knowledgeable about the platform and only need occasional help with WordPress, it may make more sense to use a service only when required, instead of on an ongoing basis. However, there are benefits to having a long-term relationship with your support service. You may end up with better pricing or faster response times.
2. Access to 24/7 Support
Some services offer round-the-clock assistance. Knowing that your support service consistently monitors your site and that you can reach out for help whenever you need it can give you great peace of mind.
3. Additional Services Offered
Some providers will offer more than technical support, and it may be worth exploring these options. For example, if you’re also in the market for help with web design or custom development, your provider may offer these services as well.
4. Pricing Structure
WordPress support services vary a great deal in terms of pricing. You may get a discount if you purchase services for more than one website. Many providers also offer better pricing if you are buying longer contract terms rather than paying monthly.
Conclusion
Maintaining a website can take up a lot of your time, and it may be well worth outsourcing the responsibility. Knowing that a team of experts is keeping an eye on your site and is available to help when problems arise can save you a lot of stress. Consider the above tips when choosing the support service that’s right for you.
