Introduction
A website is a great way to convey your brand and connect with customers, clients and donors. But, like many things online, it won’t last forever. Websites can become outdated or need updating as their owners’ needs change and technology evolves. A short lifespan isn’t necessarily bad; in fact, some websites are meant to be short-term projects that only last a few months or years. However, people often underestimate how long it takes for their website to start showing its age and how much effort it takes to maintain one over several years or even decades.
Websites need to be maintained
The life of a website is not a static one. You can’t just set up your site and expect it to last forever, no matter how well-built or beautifully designed. Websites need to be maintained, which means updating them regularly and keeping them relevant in the eyes of your audience.
You also need to keep up with the latest security standards, as well as any plugins you use (WordPress is by far the most common CMS). If you don’t do this regularly then hackers could break into your site with ease and steal information from visitors or even take over control of their accounts – all without them knowing anything about it!
Style changes over time
You should also consider the style of your website. As styles change, it’s important that your website stays up to date with the latest trends in design.
If you’re just starting out and want to build a simple, static site that doesn’t need frequent updates or revisions, then a basic HTML page may be enough for you. But if you’re looking for something more complex–and more exciting–the possibilities are endless! You could use an open source CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress or Drupal; these platforms allow users with little technical knowledge about web development languages such as HTML5 and CSS3 create sites on their own without having any programming experience whatsoever!
Technology changes over time
The technology that underpins your website will change over time. It may be replaced by something better or become obsolete due to the march of progress. In either case, this can greatly impact how long your site will last.
To understand why this happens, we need to look at two different ways in which technology changes:
- The first is when new technologies are developed that are more efficient than existing ones (e.g., HTML5 vs HTML4). These improvements might not affect how many pages you can load per second or what kind of graphics they support; they could simply make it easier for people with disabilities who use screen readers and other assistive technologies access your website more easily than before.
- The second type involves replacing one piece of software entirely with another–for example, switching from Apache web server software running PHP scripts written in C++ language on Linux operating systems (OSes), which typically run on x86 architecture processors manufactured by Intel Corporation (INTC) or Advanced Micro Devices Incorporated (AMD).
Websites are often out of date
There are many reasons why webpages can be out of date:
- The company has changed its name or moved to a new location.
- The product has been discontinued, but the page hasn’t been updated yet.
- The information is still relevant but needs to be updated with more recent data, such as pricing and availability.
A website should last as long as possible
The length of time a website should last depends on the business. A website that sells products, for example, should be updated regularly to keep it fresh and reflect changes in technology and design. A site that provides information should be updated to reflect changes in the business or subject matter being discussed.
A good rule of thumb is to plan for your site’s lifespan based on how long it takes you to build one from scratch (or even just redesign). If this takes you six months, then plan on updating every six months thereafter–or sooner if there are new developments in your field or industry.
Conclusion
A website is a valuable asset for your business, so it’s important that you keep it up to date. If you’re looking for assistance with creating or updating your website, we can help! Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your company succeed online.
