Do I Need Managed Plugin Updates?

As a website owner, you may wonder whether you need managed plugin updates for your website. Updating plugins is a pretty simple task, depending on the size and functionality of your website.

While all websites require regular plugin updates to ensure security and functionality, not every site owner needs a managed service to handle these updates.

In this document, we'll discuss why plugins need to be updated, the benefits of a managed plugin update service, and how to determine if the Basic Care Plan from Maple Creative is sufficient or if you would benefit from upgrading to include plugin updates.

Why Plugin Updates Are Important:

1. Security: Outdated plugins can create security vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers. Regular updates help protect your website from potential attacks and keep your data safe.
2. Functionality: Plugin updates often include bug fixes and improvements to ensure that your website continues to run smoothly. Updating plugins regularly helps prevent potential issues that could negatively affect your site's performance.
3. Compatibility: Updates ensure that plugins remain compatible with the latest version of your website's content management system (CMS). This compatibility is essential for maintaining the site's overall stability and functionality.

What are Managed Plugin Updates?

Managed updates are a process in which we update plugins on your website weekly. We use advanced monitoring tools to run a before and after review on your website to make sure nothing breaks after a plugin update. If we discover a problem we can jump in and solve it – even restoring a backup if we need to.

Benefits of Managed Plugin Updates

1. Time savings: With managed plugin updates, you can focus on growing your business instead of spending time on technical maintenance tasks.
2. Peace of mind: A managed service ensures that your website's plugins are always up-to-date, reducing the risk of security breaches and functionality issues.
3. Expert support: Managed plugin updates come with the expertise of professionals who understand the intricacies of maintaining a high-performing website.

Is the Basic Plan Right for You?

1. Simple websites: If your website has minimal plugins or features, the Basic Care Plan is a good choice because plugin updates may not require the advanced visual review tools that we use.
2. DIY website owners: If you have experience managing your own website and have an established internal process for updating plugins regularly, the Basic Care Plan is made for you.

When should I upgrade to Managed Updates?

As your website grows and becomes more complex, the number of plugins and features you rely on is likely to increase. This can make managing updates more challenging and time-consuming. You may also want to delegate this task to free up your time to focus on other important aspects of your business.

You can choose to upgrade your care plan to include plugin updates or add Managed Plugin Updates á la carte if you do not need the other features in the upgraded care plan services.

À la Carte Plugin Updates

If you're not yet ready to commit to a higher-tier plan but still want the benefits of managed plugin updates, Maple Creative offers an à la carte option for an additional $25 per month. This allows you to enjoy the convenience of having our team handle your plugin updates without fully upgrading your care plan.

In Conclusion...

In conclusion, managed plugin updates are essential for maintaining the security and functionality of your website. The Basic Care Plan from Maple Creative offers a cost-effective solution for website owners with simple sites or those who prefer to handle plugin updates themselves. By carefully considering your website's complexity and your own technical skills, you can determine if you need managed plugin updates for your website.

To request any changes to your care plan simply contact us at support@buildwithmaple.com.