Your Website Might Be Online…
But Is It Probably Broken
Your Website Might Be Online… But Is It Probably Broken
Many businesses build a website and then forget about it.
Years pass, the business grows, services change, technology evolves, but the website remains exactly the same as the day it was launched. On the surface it might still look fine, but behind the scenes it may no longer be functioning the way it should.
I recently had a client approach me with a website that had last been updated nearly 10 years ago. The information was outdated, the design felt old, and more importantly, the website was barely functional anymore.
This is far more common than most business owners realise.
A website is not a once-off project. Just like your phone, laptop, or any other piece of technology, it requires regular updates and maintenance to keep working properly.
What Actually Happens When a Website Isn’t Maintained
When a website is not updated for years, several things can start to break or become ineffective.
Outdated WordPress, Plugins, and PHP
Many websites today are built using WordPress, which is a powerful and flexible platform, but it relies on regular updates to function properly.
These updates include:
- WordPress core updates
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
- PHP updates on the server
When these are not maintained, compatibility issues begin to appear. Plugins may stop working, pages can break, and certain functions simply stop responding.
In one case I worked on, the website’s contact form had completely stopped working. The business had no idea that potential clients had been trying to contact them through the website without success.
That means leads were being lost without anyone realising it.
Security Risks Increase
Outdated websites are also far more vulnerable to security threats and hacking attempts.
Hackers often target older WordPress installations because they know vulnerabilities exist in outdated plugins or themes. Updates are frequently released specifically to patch these security issues.
Without regular maintenance, a website can become an easy target.
For any business, this can mean:
- website downtime
- loss of customer trust
- potential data risks
Regular updates are one of the simplest ways to protect your website from these problems.
Poor Mobile Performance and Slow Speeds
Technology changes quickly, and websites built years ago may not be optimised for modern devices.
Today, most users browse on their phones, and search engines like Google now use mobile-first indexing, meaning the mobile version of your website is the primary version used for ranking.
Older websites often struggle with:
- slow loading speeds
- poor mobile responsiveness
- outdated design frameworks
A slow or difficult-to-use website can quickly cause potential customers to leave and look elsewhere.
Your Website Might Not Even Be Indexed Properly
Another issue we often see with older websites is that they were never properly set up for search engines.
In one case, a client had a website online for years but had never installed Google Analytics or Google Search Console. That meant they had no visibility into:
- how many people were visiting their website
- which pages were performing well
- whether Google was even indexing their pages properly
Without these tools, it becomes almost impossible to understand how your website is performing or how to improve it.
Real Results After Updating an Outdated Website
In situations where a website has been neglected for years, we often recommend starting fresh with a modern rebuild.
This allows us to:
- update the design and user experience
- ensure everything is technically functional
- optimise the site for relevant keywords
- properly connect analytics and tracking tools
- submit the website to search engines for indexing
In one recent project, after rebuilding an outdated website and implementing proper keyword targeting, the client saw a noticeable increase in enquiries.
Within about six months, the website alone generated five new clients in a very niche market, along with several additional enquiries.
For a specialised industry, that kind of growth can have a significant impact on the business.
Websites Need Ongoing Maintenance
Think about how often your phone or laptop asks for a software update. These updates improve performance, fix bugs, and address security issues.
Your website works exactly the same way.
Plugins are constantly being improved, new WordPress versions are released regularly, and hosting environments evolve. Without ongoing updates and monitoring, websites gradually become less effective.
Keeping Your Website Working for Your Business
A good website should not just exist online, it should actively support your business by:
- providing accurate information
- making it easy for clients to contact you
- appearing in search results
- generating enquiries and leads
At Lollie’s Handmade, we not only build websites but also provide ongoing maintenance and support to ensure they remain functional, secure, and up to date.
Because a website that quietly breaks in the background is not just a technical problem, it can also mean missed opportunities for your business.