Website Maintenance:
An Update on Updates

By Alex Okerman, Website Maintenance Manager

It’s already October, and the end of the year is approaching fast. That means it’s time to check in on your website and cash in your maintenance minutes before they reset! If you’re wondering what kinds of updates to request, or how to get started, you’re in the right place.

What errors should I be looking out for?

The biggest offenders we see again and again: outdated contact information and broken links.

Take a quick drive through your site and make sure your buttons and links actually lead somewhere helpful. An error page or missing file is one of the fastest ways to send a visitor packing. Just as important: make sure people can find you. If your footer still lists an old phone number or address, you’re leaving visitors questioning whether your company is even real.

These are quick fixes with big consequences if ignored. Even if you only have five minutes left in your plan, it’s worth giving your site a once-over.

I have lots of maintenance time left. Now what?

If your website’s been smooth sailing this year, you might still have maintenance hours waiting to be used. Don’t let them go to waste. We’ve got some great ideas to keep your site fresh:

• Swap out old photography. If you’ve had a recent photoshoot, let’s update your site with new product shots, team photos, or event images. Fresh visuals make your site feel alive, while outdated photos (say, from the 2001 company retreat) do the opposite. Upload your new images, and we can give your site a refresh without a full redesign.
  Click here to read Shay’s in-depth blog on the power of photography!
• Update your copy. Freshness isn’t just about visuals. Read through your site’s text and ask: does this sound like us? If anything feels dated or stuffy, draft a new copy and we’ll implement it.

The best part? Every level of our Care Plans covers these types of updates.

A new maintenance submission form
If you’ve submitted website updates before, chances are you’ve heard from me, Alex the Website Maintenance Manager. I love helping troubleshoot errors, adding new content, and answering questions about your site.

This year, we rolled out a new maintenance request form right on our website. Instead of landing in an inbox, your request goes directly into my workload with high priority. Automated forms can feel a little impersonal, but rest assured: it’s still me (and the whole UpFrame team) on the other side. It’s the same friendly faces with a smoother process. You’ll still get confirmation when tasks are complete, and we’ll reach out with questions if needed.

Give it a try, the link is right here!

Making the request easy

Here’s how to make sure your request gets handled quickly and accurately:

• Write a bulleted list so edits don’t get lost in long paragraphs.
• Note the page and location: “Add the attached file ‘File name’ to the About page, on the button below the first paragraph.”
• Double-check your attachments are included, with file names that match your notes.
• Tell us if the request is urgent or tied to a deadline. “This blog must go live tomorrow” or “My homepage is down! Please assist ASAP!”

Non-emergencies will join the queue and are addressed within 48 hours. Once you hit submit, sit tight. We’re on it!

Website updates come in all shapes and sizes, and no one solution fits every site. If you’ve got extra time, we can even perform a full audit and recommend updates tailored to your site’s needs. Have questions about Care Plan levels, remaining hours, or site health? Reach out at ask@upframecreative.com or try the new form.

I’m excited to help get your websites sparkling like new for the year ahead!

–Alex Okerman
Website Maintenance Manager