5 Things Business Owners Don’t Know About Their Website – But Should

A lot of people launch a website thinking the hard work is done.

But just like a shopfront on the main street, your website needs a little attention now and then to keep doing its job properly.

Here are five things many business owners don’t realise about owning a website – and knowing them can save you time, money and a few headaches down the road.

1. A Website Is Never Truly “Finished”

This surprises a lot of people. You might think once the site is live, you can forget about it for a year or two. But your customers don’t stand still – your website shouldn’t either.

New product photos, updated trading hours, changed services, staff updates, seasonal promotions… these all need a refresh online. Even small updates send a signal to Google (and your customers) that your business is active and paying attention.

2. Google Prefers Sites That Stay Active

Search engines want to show people the most relevant, up-to-date businesses. If your site hasn’t been touched in years, Google notices.

Even doing a few small things like:

• Updating your homepage content
• Refreshing images
• Adding a new service
• Checking your SEO titles

…can help keep your site in Google’s good books. Regular activity equals better visibility.

3. Security Updates Aren’t Optional

Here’s a big one. WordPress, plugins and themes aren’t just updated for fun – those updates often patch security holes. Hackers don’t target you personally; they scan the internet looking for outdated software they know how to exploit.

Keeping everything updated reduces the risk of malware, spam injections and downtime. It also keeps your hosting company much happier!

4. Your Website Speed Directly Affects Sales

Slow sites turn customers away fast, especially on mobile. If it takes more than three seconds to load, most people simply tap away.

The usual culprits are:

• Cheap, under-powered hosting
• Huge unoptimised images
• Too many unnecessary plugins

A fast site isn’t just nicer to use – it actually increases conversions, phone calls and bookings.

5. Social Media Isn’t Enough – You Need a Home Base

Facebook and Instagram are great tools, but you don’t own them. Your page can be restricted, shut down or lost without warning. Your website is the one place online that is fully yours: your brand, your rules, your content.

A well-maintained website gives you stability, professionalism and a reliable home base for all your marketing. Social media drives people in, but your website is where they make decisions.

Owning a website isn’t complicated, but it does require a little attention. Think of it like checking the oil in your car or giving the shopfront a quick tidy – small, regular care keeps everything running smoothly.

If you want help keeping your site fast, secure and working for your business, I’m always happy to chat over a coffee.