Ongoing website maintenance and support for Staffordshire businesses, from software updates to small changes.
A website is rarely a one-off job. Software gets updated, plugins change, hosting environments shift, and small problems can creep in over time. Website care is about keeping your site in good working order after launch, so it continues to do its job without you having to become a part-time webmaster.
Thunderhat is Tim Laws, an independent web designer and SEO based in Cheadle, Staffordshire. I have been building websites since 2004 and have looked after all sorts of small business sites, from simple brochure pages to full e-commerce shops. Website care from Thunderhat is straightforward, practical support from someone who knows how websites work, not a faceless support desk.
This page explains why ongoing maintenance matters, what it can involve, and how to decide what level of care your website actually needs.
Websites are not static. They run on software, and that software changes. Content management systems like WordPress release updates. Plugins and themes get patched. Hosting providers adjust their servers. Search engines change how they assess sites. Over time, a website that was fine at launch can develop problems if nobody is paying attention.
Maintenance does not mean your website will never go wrong. It means someone is checking on it regularly, applying sensible updates, and fixing things when they break. That reduces the chance of a small issue becoming a bigger one, and it means you do not have to deal with the technical side yourself.
A well-maintained website is also more likely to keep working properly for visitors. Contact forms still send enquiries. Pages load quickly. Navigation works. Your site stays secure and up to date. For most businesses, that is exactly what they want.
Every website is different, so the exact work depends on the site and the level of support you choose. Here are the areas that typically come under website care.
If your site runs on WordPress or a similar system, the core software, theme and plugins all need updating from time to time. These updates often fix bugs, improve security and keep everything compatible. I can handle these updates for you, checking the site still works properly afterwards.
Regular backups are a sensible safety net. If something goes wrong, a recent backup means the site can usually be restored without too much trouble. I can set up and manage backups so you always have a copy of your website and its content.
Websites can be targeted by automated attacks, out-of-date software can create openings, and sometimes a simple misconfiguration causes problems. As part of website care, I can carry out regular security checks, monitor for suspicious activity and respond quickly if something looks wrong.
It helps to know if your site goes down, a page stops loading or a form stops working. I can monitor key parts of your website and deal with issues before they affect too many visitors. That might mean checking uptime, testing forms or reviewing error logs.
When something does go wrong, you want someone who can diagnose the problem and fix it without a lot of back and forth. I can investigate issues, work out what is causing them and get your site back to normal.
A website can look fine on the surface but have problems underneath. A contact form might stop sending emails. A page might return an error. A checkout might fail. These things are easy to miss if nobody is checking.
As part of ongoing care, I can test the parts of your website that matter to your business. That includes contact forms, key pages, navigation, and any features your customers use. If something is not working, I will find it and fix it.
This matters because a broken form or a slow page can cost you enquiries without you even knowing. Visitors rarely tell you when something does not work. They just leave.
Website care is not just about keeping things running. It can also cover the small changes and improvements that come up as your business develops.
You might need to change a phone number, update opening hours, add a new team member or refresh a service description. These are quick jobs for me, and they keep your website accurate and useful.
Sometimes you need a new page for a new service, a special offer or a piece of news. I can add pages that fit with your existing design and structure.
Small tweaks to layout, colours, text or images can make a big difference. If you want to adjust something on your site, I can usually do it quickly.
If you need a major redesign, a new online shop or a significant new feature, that is a separate project rather than routine care. I will always tell you if something is beyond a small change and give you a clear idea of what it would involve.
When you work with Thunderhat, you are dealing with one person: Tim Laws. I have been building and looking after websites since 2004, so I have seen most problems before and I know how to fix them.
I try to keep communication clear and human. You will not get a ticket number or a confusing technical report. You will get a plain-English explanation of what is happening and what I am doing about it.
I am also honest about what your website does and does not need. If your site is simple and low-risk, I will tell you that a basic level of care is enough. If you have an e-commerce site with lots of moving parts, I will suggest a more thorough approach.
Not every website needs the same level of maintenance. A simple brochure site with a few pages and no complex features has different needs from an online shop with payments, customer accounts and stock levels.
I will always recommend a proportionate level of care. There is no point paying for daily monitoring if your site is a five-page brochure that rarely changes. Equally, a busy e-commerce site needs more attention than a quarterly backup.
When we first talk about website care, I will look at your site, ask how you use it and suggest a sensible level of support. You can then decide what you want to include.
Website care from Thunderhat suits small and medium-sized businesses that want their website looked after without having to manage the technical side themselves.
It is also useful if you are not sure whether your existing website is properly maintained. Many business owners inherit a website from a previous designer or agency and have no idea whether it is backed up, updated or secure. I can review your site and tell you what is going on.
If you have an older website that is still working but needs occasional attention, ongoing care can keep it reliable until you are ready for a bigger redesign.
We start with a conversation about your website: what it does, how it is built and what you are worried about. This can be by phone or email.
I look at your website, check its software, hosting and current condition, and give you a plain-English summary of what I find.
We agree what level of care makes sense for your site and what is included. You know what you are paying for and what is not covered.
I carry out the agreed work, keep an eye on your site and deal with any issues that come up. You can contact me whenever you need something.
If your website changes or your business grows, we can adjust the level of care. Nothing is set in stone.
The cost of website care depends on several things.
The type of website makes the biggest difference. A simple brochure site needs less work than an e-commerce site with plugins, payments and customer data.
The level of support you want also matters. Basic monitoring and updates cost less than a plan that includes regular content changes or priority support.
The age and condition of the site can affect things too. An older website built on outdated software may need more attention to keep it secure and working.
I do not offer one-size-fits-all packages. Instead, I will suggest a level of care that fits your website and your budget, and I will be upfront about what it costs.
Website care is not about constant tinkering. It is about having someone responsible who checks in regularly, applies updates, fixes problems and is there when you need a small change.
For most businesses, that is a far better arrangement than leaving the website alone until something breaks and then scrambling to find help.
If you would like to talk about website care for your site, get in touch. We can look at what you have, work out what it needs and agree a sensible plan. No jargon, no pressure, just practical support.
Can't see your question? Call or send a message and we'll answer it.
The cost depends on the type of website, the level of support you need and the work involved. A simple brochure site costs less to maintain than an e-commerce site with lots of plugins. I will suggest a level of care that fits your website and give you a clear price before we start.
Even a small website benefits from occasional updates, backups and security checks. But you may not need a comprehensive plan. I will recommend a proportionate level of care based on how your site is built and how important it is to your business.
That is fine. I regularly take on care for websites built by other designers or agencies. I will review the site, understand how it works and then look after it from there. If the site is in poor condition, I will tell you what needs to be done.
Small content changes and minor adjustments can be included, depending on the plan we agree. Larger changes, such as new designs or significant new features, are usually separate projects. I will always tell you if something falls outside routine care.
If you are on a care plan with monitoring, I will usually spot the problem and start working on it. If you notice an issue first, contact me and I will investigate. I aim to get websites back up and running as quickly as possible.
Yes. I can assess the site and tell you whether it is worth maintaining or whether a rebuild would be more sensible. Sometimes a few fixes are enough. Other times, starting again is cheaper and more reliable in the long run.
Tell us about your business and what you need — a new website, better rankings, or both. Free, no-obligation chat with Tim.
