[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Introduction” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Today, every business from the small mom-and-pop down the street to a larger, established operation has a website that requires regular maintenance and management. Adding managed website services<\/a> to your portfolio of digital solutions is a great way to become a more valuable partner to your small business clients and prospects, generate more recurring revenue, and create opportunities for upselling.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re ready to get into the managed website services game, this guide is for you. We\u2019ll go over everything that should be included in your website management and maintenance packages, best practices for offering these services to local businesses<\/a>, and some tips for how to do it all at scale. With the right process and tools, you can sell managed web services to a long list of clients without the need for costly hiring or outsourcing to unreliable third parties. Read on, and we\u2019ll show you how it\u2019s done.<\/p>\n [et_pb_section global_module=\"113151 \"][\/et_pb_section]<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Key components of offering managed website services” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Website management services can refer to everything from basic managed WordPress web hosting to a more robust package of services that include hosting, content creation, and more. It\u2019s up to you to determine what your agency hosting solution<\/a> will include in its managed website services. However, the more of these components you include, the less incentive you give your clients to shop around with competitors who offer more.<\/p>\n Website hosting and maintenance<\/a> is at the center of managed website services, as it involves managing technical aspects, configuring and optimizing hosting for performance, and ensuring it supports clients’ scalability needs.<\/p>\n SMB websites<\/a> require high levels of website uptime, excellent hosting security<\/a>, and effortless scaling to grow without interrupting their business operations. By handling their website hosting as a web hosting business<\/a>, you take care of these needs while letting them focus on the day-to-day of running their business.<\/p>\n Website hosting is a part of general website maintenance, which also includes the ongoing process of updating and managing a site to ensure that it remains functional, secure, and current. The complexity of maintenance tasks depends on the needs of each client and variables like the number of plugins and traffic volume.<\/p>\n Providing website security measures and managing backups for clients protects their websites from cyber threats and data loss. Proactive security measures include firewalls, malware scanning, installation of SSL certificates<\/a>, and setting up automated daily backups. Here\u2019s how each of these protect a website:<\/p>\n Together, these measures can prevent costly and reputation-damaging data breaches and ensure that if anything does go wrong, disruption to the business can be minimized.<\/p>\n WordPress website management services include regular updates of the WordPress version, theme, and plugins. These updates are important for two reasons. Firstly, they ensure the website continues to perform as it should. Letting some plugins become out of date and result in incompatibilities between them and other, newer plugins and themes, impacting the functionality of a site. Support is also generally available for the most recent version of a software or plugin, so keeping everything current will make it easier to get technical assistance if needed.<\/p>\n Secondly, out-of-date plugins and themes are a common source of website vulnerabilities, which can be exploited by malicious actors and expose your clients to cyberattacks. Keeping everything up-to-date can prevent this potentially costly and reputation-damaging situation.<\/p>\n High-quality content engages audiences and helps websites perform better in their desired search engine results pages (SERPs). Managed website services can include content creation services like content writing and editing, and content management services such as content planning and seach engine optimization of existing content.<\/p>\n Content creation can be bundled with other SEO services<\/a> to maximize its impact. For example, you can create packages that include SEO services like keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building<\/a>, as well as managed website services like blog research and writing. Together, these will give your clients the best chance of being discovered through organic search.<\/p>\n Performance optimization includes improving website speed, user experience (UX),<\/a> and on-page and technical aspects of SEO. A faster website that offers better UX not only keeps visitors from bouncing, but it also directly impacts SEO rankings.<\/p>\n As part of your performance optimization services, you can include tasks like:<\/p>\n These ongoing optimizations can keep a site running smoothly and quickly in between major redesigns<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tracking website performance, user behavior, and conversion rates can help businesses make data-informed decisions to improve their websites and boost revenue. By providing clients with regular analytics reports, you can identify areas for improvement and open up productive conversations about other services you might be able to offer, like web design<\/a> or SEO.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Best practices for offering managed website services” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Standing out against competitors who also offer small business website packages<\/a> comes down to making it easy for clients to choose you by presenting clear packages, offering excellent service, and having the right tools to deliver every time. Let\u2019s take a closer look at how you can do just that.<\/p>\n It\u2019s up to you what to include in your web management services packages. However, it\u2019s worth considering the benefits of offering a robust package that addresses all<\/em> your clients\u2019 managed web services needs. Including all the services outlined above will you give the most control of the performance of your client sites, ensuring they see impressive results.<\/p>\n Setting clear expectations with clients helps you avoid misunderstandings, foster trust, and ultimately increase their satisfaction with your services. An effective way of doing this by creating a Statement of Work (SOW) for each new client. This document outlines the scope, objectives, timeline, deliverables, price, and other relevant details of your contract. This way, you have a document you can both return to make sure you\u2019re on track.<\/p>\n For example, for a managed website services SOW, you might outline your regular tasks and deliverables such as monthly website performance reports, regular content updates, and regular plugin updates.<\/p>\n Website issues such as prolonged downtime can meaningfully impact your clients\u2019 bottom line by reducing conversions. If you offer WordPress management services or any kind of small business website management<\/a>, providing top-notch customer support will make your agency stand out from competitors: clients will have peace of mind they\u2019ll get speedy assistance if anything goes wrong with their sites.<\/p>\n Using a website solution<\/a> like Website Pro<\/a> that includes access to white-label<\/a> experts who can work on your behalf, including to deliver 24\/7 customer support, means that you can guarantee excellent service without needing to hire in-house.<\/p>\n Your clients may have different needs and budgets, so having a variety of pricing tiers can help you offer something for everyone, maximizing your revenue.<\/p>\n Your pricing tiers can vary based on the services included, the frequency with which services are delivered, or the complexity of the services. For example, a website that doesn\u2019t collect client credit card information won\u2019t have the same security needs as one that hosts hundreds of transactions per day. For some clients, reselling website solutions<\/a> at a markup will be appropriate, while others will want fully managed services.<\/p>\n The right tools make it possible to deliver managed website services at scale, enabling you to grow your business without eroding your profit margins.<\/p>\n Vendasta\u2019s Website Pro includes powerful solutions designed with agencies in mind. For example, the Website Admin Dashboard enables you to make WordPress version, theme, and plugin updates for all<\/em> your client websites from a single location. This means you don\u2019t have to log in and out of each site to make these important updates, saving time and ensuring no updates fall through the cracks.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Tips for managing multiple client websites” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n One of the biggest challenges agencies face as they grow is maintaining the same level of service with which they built their reputations. It can also be difficult to retain the same profit margin, since more resources are required to serve more customers. These tips will help you scale while avoiding these common pain points.<\/p>\n Organization is the key to success when delivering managed website services to multiple clients. Prioritizing the most pressing work rather than wasting time on less essential tasks can go a long way in keeping customers satisfied. One way to do this is by using a tool like the Website Admin Dashboard, which can be used to filter client websites by those which require updates.<\/p>\n Delegating work to other team members, or to white-label experts working under your agency\u2019s banner, can also help you take work off your plate so you can be confident everything gets done.<\/p>\nKey components of offering managed website services<\/h2>\n
Website hosting and maintenance<\/h3>\n
Security and backup solutions<\/h3>\n
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Software and plugin updates<\/h3>\n
Content creation and management<\/h3>\n
Performance optimization<\/h3>\n
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Analytics and reporting<\/h3>\n
Best practices for offering managed website services<\/h2>\n
Developing a comprehensive service package<\/h3>\n
Setting clear expectations with clients<\/h3>\n
Providing excellent customer support<\/h3>\n
Offering flexible pricing options<\/h3>\n
Investing in the right tools and resources<\/h3>\n
Tips for managing multiple client websites<\/h2>\n
Prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities<\/h3>\n
Using project management and collaboration tools<\/h3>\n