Get behind the wheel of website maintenance

It’s not unusual at TRUEdotDESIGN to have a client be curious about (or surprised at) what is involved in running a website. And while there are many moving parts, it really is quite manageable if you have a handle on how it all works.

Thankfully, we have a very simplified (and fun!) way of explaining these things to our clients. We compare the experience of running a website to that of owning a car. Once they wrap their head around the analogy, it all comes clear.

Running a Website is a Lot Like Owning a Car.

Both are an investment, both require regular maintenance and upkeep, and both get you to a destination – albeit, one literal, one figurative. Here at TRUEdotDESIGN, we often encounter clients who want a simplified explanation of what’s involved in developing a well-oiled website.

We quickly realized that the car analogy was the best way to break things down. So – are you buckled up? Let’s turn on that hard drive.

Parking = Hosting

Pay a monthly or annual fee for your website to be ‘parked’ online.

Plates = Domain Registration

You won’t be able to get on the information highway if you don’t have a domain address. It’s essentially your website’s identity.

Gas = Content

Just as a car without gas is going nowhere, so too is a website without fresh, relevant content.

Insurance = Website Back-Ups

If you don’t want to risk losing everything, data back-ups are essential in case of an accident.

Oil Change = Web Maintenance

Updating technology (plugins and software versions) helps you avoid sputtering engines and breakdowns, while helping your run your website effectively.

Car Alarm = SSL Certificate

Protect your website against break-ins (hacking) with a certificate that encrypts (scrambles) data so that it can only be read when a proper decryption key is entered.

GPS System = SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

A manufacturer’s navigation system isn’t much good without a subscription to use it. Websites are SEO-ready, but it still requires regular, ongoing work to get you where you need to go and to get the people you’re targeting, where you want them to go – your website.

Driver’s License = Qualified Website Professional

While no one needs a license to run a website, it’s always smart to hire qualified people to help you develop your website. You don’t want an amateur behind the wheel of your website.

So? Does it all make sense now? Do you think you could earn your website driver’s license?

Connect with us to learn more about our maintenance programs and how we can help avoid breakdowns.