Image courtesy of MandyXClear

Do you have a website, but find it a challenge to keep it updated? If so, you may be in the market for a Virtual Assistant who specializes in website management. Much cheaper than a website overhaul, a simple maintenance plan can keep your website up to date and looking fresh.

Lack of Time

Time has it’s affect on all of us. Websites are not immune to the passage of time. As the Internet grows standards change, browsers adapt, and audiences start to expect different things. How your website stands the test of time depends on how well you adapt to these changes. Unfortunately, the last thing a busy business owner needs is to spend an hour or two a week navigating a CMS or even worse, the code itself!

Along with changing consumer expectations are the opportunities missed because events and promotions are publicized at or after the fact. I’ve seen several business owners post things to their website the day of an event, or in retrospect. Websites that encourage repeat visitors should reward them with timely news. But face it, you’re too busy organizing the promotion or getting ready for the event to handle all of this yourself.

Lack of Experience

I have worked with several people who use preformated code to update their websites. They change their blog post based on filling in different information into the coded template and then they upload the information. Sometimes the template gets compromised: a DIV gets removed or added or a picture is bigger than the containing element. For those with little coding experience this can be horribly frustrating. For a Website Virtual Assistant, it can be simply a few minutes of looking at code and putting in the missing elements.

When I first started studying website design and usability, I had difficulty making my designs look just right. They were functional and pretty but lacked… something I couldn’t put my finger on. I spent hours rearranging elements and removing pieces hoping for balance. Then I broke down and asked a Graphic Designer friend of mine for help. The answer? Proportions and alignement. With a trained eye my friend could easily see why certain elements seemed off in seconds. If only I had asked my friend sooner! A Website VA can bring this same level of expertise to your website – freeing up your time for your business.

Lack of Money

A Website Virtual Assistant is going to be one of the least expensive options for making custom updates and changes to your website. Sure you can buy one of those “All-in-one” website builders for fairly cheap, or find a free WordPress theme, but does that really represent your business? On the other hand, professional web designers are definitely worth the cost but how many small business owners can afford them? Once the design is done, how many businesses can afford to make updates and changes?

In the days before I became a Website VA, I had the opportunity to participate in several website projects. I noticed a common theme: each of the businesses failed to consider the costs of updating the site. In one case, the web designer had locked certain areas of the site for updating. If the client wanted a change made in this area, they would have to contact the designer to make the changes… at $75 and hour. In the beginning this seemed reasonable, but after the first month and several small tweaks to text, the maintenance budget for the website was gone. Result: an expensive website (original design cost was $35k!) that now looks out of date and is difficult to maintain.

A Website VA is middle ground and can provide small changes, updates and upgrades for your site at minimal cost to you. Don’t fall prey to instant good looks that are quickly outdated and costly to upkeep. Choose a format (such as WordPress) that adapts to your client/consumer needs and your budget. Then find a relatively low-cost VA who can help you keep it fresh and exciting.