Running a website can be a daunting task, especially when you are the head of your own freelance design business. In addition to your creative work, you are expected to manage your own website as well as your clients’ needs. Technical issues, falling visitor traffic, and malware can leave you feeling helpless and frustrated. However, there are specialized support teams that can help you get back on track and focus on designing. Here are some areas where you can seek support:
1. Web Hosting Support
A web designer needs websites, and all websites need hosting. When technical issues arise, the first place to consult is often the hosting provider. Look for a solid host that offers helpful support, free backups, basic security and SEO features, and WordPress optimization. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on unnecessary features. At most, you may only need to boost it with security software or extra SEO optimization.
You can opt for bigger companies like Siteground or Bluehost, but sometimes choosing a smaller business is better because it can offer specialized support. Managed WordPress hosting is recommended as you get what you pay for. WP Engine is our top pick, which offers great live chat and ticketed support. Other great options include Kinsta and Flywheel.
Look for a company with a friendly team that offers email and phone support. Check online reviews for good companies that prioritize customer service.
2. Theme & Plugin Support
If you use themes or plugins made by third party developers, you may run into issues or conflicts at some point. You can take this up with the developer, and often they’re happy to take a look and offer suggestions. Most premium theme or plugin sites contain a forum or at least comments where you can post about your problem.
If the issue runs deeper than they can assist with, or you simply want a dedicated team, a typical WordPress support service will work fine. Just make sure they offer theme and plugin support. Two companies that do are WPFixIt, a quick-fix service with a one-time fee, and WPMaintainer, with its pricier but very professional design team.
3. WordPress Updates & Tech Support
If you use WordPress, you probably know by now that it isn’t always easy to manage. Every day, a plugin needs to be updated, the site needs to be tweaked, and every now and then something explodes. This applies both to your own websites and those of your clients. You’re a designer! You should be working on building a new website or theme, not dealing with minor technical issues.
Luckily, there’s an abundance of WordPress maintenance services that make these manual tasks less aggravating and let you get back to the fun stuff. Examples include Maintainn, WP Curve, WP Butler and more. Pick one that provides the services you need, first and foremost, while staying within a reasonable budget.
As an extra note: while it may not be able to automate your plugin updates for you, your hosting company might be able to help still. Look for a host that supports WordPress and offers assistance with any issues you may run into using it.
4. Site Security & Backups
When you put your website out there, you’re opening yourself up for potential attack. Innocent websites can be turned into vectors for distributing malware, or ransomware could take hold of crucial files and demand payment. Though rare, these situations are a sobering reminder of the importance of online security.
Luckily, security features tend to come bundled with other IT services. However, if you’ve taken a safety-first mindset, or have decided to skip the general tech support, a tool that puts your site on lockdown might be what you need.
For security, we highly recommend Sucuri – a support suite that’s exceptionally affordable for all it offers. You can also purchase a firewall that comes with DDoS protection. Though there are plenty of plugins and way to improve your WordPress security, a professional service such as Sucuri is the ultimate defense (for you and your clients).
Keeping your website backed up, though often overlooked, is one of the most important things every website owner should do. You won’t know how much you missed those pictures or blog posts or database files until they’re gone – wiped out by a virus or a natural disaster or some other calamity. We highly recommend learning how to backup WordPress on your own, whether it’s manual or with a service such as VaultPress.
Most tech service suites come with backups, so it may not be necessary to spend extra on this. Hosts, security services, tech support packages – more than likely, one of them has this crucial feature thrown in. If you get unlucky, seek out a service like WP Site Care. Daily backups, multiple affordable plans, generous amounts of space… It’s everything you should be looking for.
5. SEO Support
It takes a lot of work to improve your WordPress SEO; it’s best to do it when you’re starting from scratch, rather than in the middle. However, the services SEO optimization can provide are invaluable for increasing site visitors.
While searching for an SEO specialist, it’s important to keep an eye out for deceptive practices that could damage your search rankings or get you removed from engines entirely. But don’t let this deter you. Just be sure to always do your research on a company beforehand.
If you’re a pizzeria, you’re better off with local SEO specialists – probably folks with an office in your city. They should know the area, and help you target keywords like “best pizza Toronto” or “downtown Toronto pizza” if that’s where you’re located. Online businesses can likely do just fine with a remote company, but preferably one that specializes in their industry.
No More Disasters
Whether a well-established business or single person taking the first dive into freelancing, it’s important either way to have a support network to catch you when there’s a crisis. Ensuring that your web host of choice is helpful and dedicated to its customers can do wonders. But if you find yourself in need of a little extra support, there are plenty of companies out there more than willing to take the workload off. As mentioned before, check reviews (or even reach out to the company directly) to be sure the one you choose is right for you.
