10 Essential Monthly Maintenance Checks to Boost Your Website Performance

Ensure Your Website’s Health and Performance with This Comprehensive Monthly Checklist

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Published October 19, 2024 by Catapult Web Solutions

Introduction


Your website is often the first point of contact between your business and potential customers. A well-maintained website not only reflects your brand’s professionalism but also ensures that users have a seamless experience. Regular maintenance is key to avoiding technical glitches, outdated content, and other issues that can turn visitors away. To help you stay on top of things, we’ve compiled a monthly checklist of 10 essential tasks that will keep your website healthy and your online presence strong.
 

1. Check for 403 Errors


A 403 error occurs when a user is forbidden from accessing a specific page or resource on your website. This can happen for various reasons, such as incorrect file permissions, issues with your website’s security settings, or a misconfigured .htaccess file. These errors can frustrate users and damage your site’s credibility.
 

Action Steps:

 
  • Use Google Search Console: Log in to Google Search Console and navigate to the “Coverage” section. Here, you’ll see a list of errors Google has detected on your site, including 403 errors.
  • Check Server Logs: If you’re comfortable accessing your server logs, these can provide more detailed information on what’s causing the 403 errors.

  • Correct Permissions: Ensure that the correct permissions are set for your files and directories. Typically, directories should be set to 755 and files to 644.

  • Adjust Security Settings: If the error is due to security settings, you may need to adjust your firewall or content delivery network (CDN) settings.

  • Consult a Professional: If you’re unsure about making these changes yourself, consider consulting with your web hosting provider or a professional service like Catapult Web Solutions.

 

2. Fix Broken Local and External Links


Broken links are not just frustrating for users—they can also negatively impact your site’s SEO. Both internal links (links to other pages on your site) and external links (links to other websites) should be checked regularly.
 

Action Steps:

 
  • Use a Link Checker Tool: Tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or the W3C Link Checker can help you scan your website for broken links. These tools provide detailed reports on where the broken links are located.
  • Update or Remove Broken Links: For internal links, update them to the correct URLs. For external links, either find a suitable replacement or remove the link entirely if no replacement is available.

  • Manually Test Important Pages: Even after using automated tools, it’s a good idea to manually check your most important pages to ensure that all links are functioning correctly.

  • Redirect Broken Links: If a page on your site is permanently removed, set up a 301 redirect to guide users to a relevant page instead of leaving them with a dead link.

 

3. Update Content


Keeping your website content fresh and relevant is essential. Stale content can drive visitors away, while up-to-date information keeps them engaged and coming back for more. Regularly updating your content also signals to search engines that your site is active, which can improve your rankings.
 

Action Steps:

 
  • Review Existing Content:
    Each month, go through your website’s pages, blog posts, and product descriptions. Look for any outdated information, such as old statistics, expired promotions, or references to past events.
  • Create New Content: Consider adding new blog posts, news updates, or case studies that reflect current trends or developments in your industry. Tools like BuzzSumo can help you find trending topics.

  • Incorporate Seasonal Content: If applicable, add or update content that reflects the current season or upcoming holidays. For example, a retail site might highlight gift ideas during the holiday season.

  • SEO Optimization: When updating content, make sure to optimize it for search engines. This includes adding relevant keywords, updating meta descriptions, and ensuring that your content is structured with proper headings (H1, H2, H3).

 


4. Test Site Speed, SEO, Accessibility, and Best Practice Ratings


Site performance is critical in today’s fast-paced digital environment. Google’s Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights tools allow you to test various aspects of your website, including speed, SEO, accessibility, and best practices. These metrics affect user experience and search engine rankings.
 

Action Steps:

 
  • Use Google Lighthouse: Run a Lighthouse audit directly from Google Chrome’s DevTools. Right-click on your webpage, select “Inspect,” then go to the “Lighthouse” tab, and generate a report.
  • Analyze the Report: The Lighthouse report provides scores for Performance (speed), Accessibility (usability for people with disabilities), Best Practices (overall site health), and SEO (search engine optimization). Review each section carefully.
  • Improve Site Speed: Common suggestions include optimizing images (reduce size without losing quality), leveraging browser caching, and minimizing CSS and JavaScript files.
  • Enhance Accessibility: Address issues like contrast ratios, alt text for images, and keyboard navigation to make your site more accessible to all users.
  • Optimize for SEO: Ensure your page titles, meta descriptions, and headings are optimized. Use structured data to help search engines understand your content better.
  • Follow Best Practices: Implement recommendations like using HTTPS, avoiding deprecated APIs, and ensuring your site works across different browsers and devices.
  • Google PageSpeed Insights: Also run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights for a more detailed look at your site’s performance, particularly for mobile devices. Follow the provided recommendations to improve your scores.
 

5. Review Google Analytics


Google Analytics provides invaluable insights into your website’s performance, including visitor demographics, behavior, and the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns. Regularly reviewing this data can help you understand what’s working and where improvements are needed.


Action Steps:
 

  • Log into Google Analytics: Navigate to the “Home” section to get an overview of your site’s performance. Key metrics to look at include total visits, bounce rate, average session duration, and pages per session.
  • Examine Traffic Sources: Go to the “Acquisition” tab to see where your traffic is coming from—organic search, direct visits, social media, or referrals from other sites. This can help you understand which channels are most effective.
  • Analyze User Behavior: Under the “Behavior” tab, look at which pages are most popular and how users navigate your site. Identify any pages with high bounce rates, as these may need improvement.
  • Set Up Goals and Conversions: If you haven’t already, set up goals to track conversions—such as form submissions, purchases, or newsletter sign-ups. This data is crucial for understanding your site’s success in meeting its objectives.
  • Custom Reports: Create custom reports tailored to your business goals, such as tracking specific marketing campaigns or analyzing the behavior of a particular segment of users.
     

6. Review Google Search Console

 

Google Search Console is a powerful tool for monitoring your website’s presence in Google search results. It provides detailed reports on how your site is performing in terms of search visibility, indexing, and potential issues like security breaches.
 

Action Steps:
 

  • Log into Google Search Console: Review the “Performance” section to see which keywords are driving traffic to your site. Pay attention to click-through rates (CTR) and average position for important keywords.
  • Check for Coverage Issues: Navigate to the “Coverage” section to see if Google has encountered any errors while crawling your site. Common issues include 404 errors (page not found) and pages excluded from indexing.
  • Enhance Mobile Usability: In the “Mobile Usability” report, check for any issues that could affect your site’s performance on mobile devices. Google’s mobile-first indexing means that mobile usability is critical for your site’s overall SEO.
  • Review Security Issues: Go to the “Security Issues” section to see if Google has detected any security problems, such as malware or phishing attempts. Address these issues immediately to protect your site and users.
  • Sitemap Submission: Ensure your XML sitemap is up to date and resubmit it through Search Console if you’ve made significant changes to your site’s structure.

 

 

7. Backup Your Website

 

Regular backups are a crucial part of website maintenance. In the event of a server crash, hacking attempt, or accidental data loss, having a recent backup can save you from a major disaster. Catapult Web Solutions provides this service as part of their Website Hosting services, ensuring your site is always safe.
 

Action Steps:

 

  • Automated Backups: Set up automated backups through your hosting provider or a third-party service. Most hosting providers offer this feature; check your hosting control panel or consult with your provider to ensure it’s enabled.
  • Backup Frequency: Schedule backups to occur at least once a month, but consider more frequent backups if your site is updated regularly. For example, daily backups are recommended for e-commerce sites.
  • Store Backups Securely: Make sure that backups are stored in a secure, off-site location. Many services offer cloud storage options for this purpose.
  • Verify Backups: Periodically check your backups to ensure that they are complete and functional. Restore a backup in a test environment to confirm that everything works correctly.
  • Catapult Web Solutions: If you’re unsure about setting up and managing backups, Catapult Web Solutions offers comprehensive backup services as part of their hosting packages, giving you peace of mind that your site is protected.
 

8. Update Plugins and Themes

 

Outdated plugins and themes can be a significant security risk. Developers often release updates to fix bugs, improve functionality, and patch security vulnerabilities. Keeping everything up-to-date ensures that your website is running smoothly and securely.
 

Action Steps:

 

  • Check for Updates Monthly: Log into your CMS (e.g., WordPress) and check for available updates for all installed plugins and themes. Most platforms will alert you when updates are available.
  • Backup Before Updating: Always back up your website before applying updates. This precaution ensures that you can quickly restore your site if an update causes issues.
  • Update Plugins First: Update your plugins first, as they are more likely to cause conflicts if not kept up-to-date. After updating, test your site to ensure everything is working correctly.
  • Then Update Themes: Once plugins are updated, proceed with updating your site’s theme. Again, test your site after the update to check for any issues.
  • Remove Unused Plugins and Themes: If you have plugins or themes that are no longer in use, deactivate and delete them. Unused plugins and themes can pose a security risk if they are not maintained.
 

9. Check for Mobile Responsiveness
 

With a growing number of users accessing websites via mobile devices, ensuring that your site is mobile-friendly is more important than ever. A site that doesn’t function well on mobile devices can lead to a poor user experience and lost opportunities.

 

Action Steps:
 

  • Test on Multiple Devices: Don’t rely solely on automated tools; manually test your site on various devices and screen sizes, including smartphones and tablets.
  • Review Touch Elements: Ensure that buttons and links are large enough and spaced sufficiently apart to be easily tappable on a touchscreen.
  • Check Loading Speed: Mobile users often experience slower network speeds, so it’s essential to ensure your site loads quickly on mobile. Use the “Mobile” tab in Google PageSpeed Insights for specific recommendations.
  • Consider a Mobile-First Design: If your site isn’t fully responsive, consider implementing a mobile-first design strategy, where the site is designed primarily for mobile users and then adapted for larger screens.

     

10. Conduct a Security Scan

 

Website security should be a top priority. Cyberattacks are increasingly common, and a compromised website can lead to data breaches, loss of customer trust, and potential legal issues. Catapult Web Solutions offers security monitoring and maintenance as part of their Website Hosting services to ensure your site remains secure.


Action Steps:

 

  • Use Security Plugins: If you’re using a CMS like WordPress, install security plugins such as Wordfence or Sucuri to monitor your site for malware, unauthorized changes, and potential threats.
  • Run Regular Scans: Conduct a full security scan of your site at least once a month. These tools can detect malware, vulnerabilities, and other security issues.
  • Review SSL Certificate: Make sure your SSL certificate is valid and properly installed. An SSL certificate encrypts data between your website and its users, protecting sensitive information.
  • Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA for your website’s admin login. This means that even if someone obtains your password, they’ll need a second form of verification to access your site.
  • Monitor Login Attempts: Use plugins or built-in features to monitor failed login attempts. Set up alerts for suspicious activity and consider blocking IP addresses after repeated failed login attempts.
  • Catapult Web Solutions: For peace of mind, Catapult Web Solutions provides comprehensive security services, including regular scans, malware removal, and ongoing monitoring as part of their hosting solutions.

 

Conclusion


Maintaining a healthy website is a continuous process that requires diligence and regular attention. By following this monthly checklist, you can prevent common issues, improve your site’s performance, and provide a better experience for your users. A well-maintained website not only boosts your online presence but also contributes to the overall success of your business

FAQ

 

1. How often should I perform these website maintenance checks?

It’s recommended to perform these checks monthly to ensure your website is always running smoothly and securely. Regular maintenance prevents issues from becoming bigger problems and keeps your site optimized.


2. What tools can I use to check for broken links?

You can use tools like Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, or the W3C Link Checker to identify and fix broken links on your website. These tools scan your site and provide detailed reports on which links are broken.


3. Why is updating content so important?

Regularly updating content keeps your website relevant, improves SEO, and engages visitors by providing them with fresh and useful information. Outdated content can harm your site’s credibility and performance.


4. How do I test my website’s speed, SEO, accessibility, and best practices?

Google Lighthouse, accessible through Chrome’s DevTools, allows you to test all these aspects at once. Google PageSpeed Insights is another valuable tool for assessing site speed, especially on mobile devices.


5. What should I do if I find a security vulnerability on my site?

If you discover a security vulnerability, address it immediately by updating any affected software, changing passwords, and consulting with a security professional if necessary. Catapult Web Solutions can also assist with comprehensive security services.


6. How can I back up my website?

You can back up your website through your hosting provider’s control panel or by using third-party backup services. It’s important to schedule regular backups and store them in a secure, off-site location. Catapult Web Solutions offers automated backup services as part of their hosting packages.


7. What are some signs that my site isn’t mobile-friendly?

If your site loads slowly on mobile devices, elements are too close together, or users have to scroll horizontally to view content, it’s likely not fully mobile-friendly. Use Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool to identify issues.