This is especially true since you have all of the other aspects of your business to keep on top of. From optimising content to updating security, sometimes it can be easier for an expert to take over.

That is why some businesses create a contract for maintenance of websites. Let's take a closer look at what that is why you might find it beneficial for your business.

What is a Contract for Maintenance of Websites?

A maintenance of website contract is an agreement that you can enter into with a contractor or consultant regarding the running of your website. In the UK, anyone can enter into a contract if they are over 18 years old (Sale of Goods Act 1979). It will be legally binding between the parties once signed and that is enforceable in law. The Sale of Goods Act 1979 section 4 also states that a contract can be:

made in writing, or by word of mouth, or partly in writing and partly by word of mouth, or may be implied from the conduct of the parties.

If something goes wrong and there are terms not complied with, you can take the other party to court for breach of contract. The contract will outline an offer concerned what the professional will look after on the website. If they accept, they will be paid for their work. This can be monthly or annually.

It is essential for websites in the UK to be GDPR complaint, which means being in line with data protection and processing data safely. This also includes being complaint with the Data Protection Act 2018. Contracts should make it clear to a professional you are hiring.

There are a number of terms that can be inserted into a contract for the maintenance of websites. This includes editing content, updating on-page search engine optimisation, monitoring security and checking website performance. It is important to outline exactly what elements of your website are to be looked after before you sign the contract. This way, the contract for maintenance of websites can be their responsibility and a beneficial tool to help grow your business.

The Benefits of having a Website Maintenance Contract

Having a contract in place means you can outsource work to a professional. You can keep your payroll down and know everything is looked after by somebody that has the skills. You can get on with the other sides of your business without having the daily maintenance of your website.

A website maintenance contract that includes search engine optimisation means you can consistently increase user traffic and boost your search engine ranking. There are always updates to the online algorithms of Google and other search engines. This means you have to keep your website in line with these new developments. Otherwise, your website will fall behind and competition will win. Having a website maintenance contract offers peace of mind and a professional can follow the latest trends and maintain your website.

Most importantly, having a professional contracted to maintain your website protects your business and reputation. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and it is essential that your website is secure so it does not become infected. Having a contract can ensure the latest security patches are used and backups are made so you can prepare for every eventuality. If anything happens, you can make sure your website is back up and running without delay. It is important to remember that as a website provider, you do have a responsibility to make sure that the information of your customer’s is safe. You also have to ensure that your website is GDPR compliant. A professional should know how to do this.

Other Countries and Website Maintenance Contracts

Website maintenance contracts are popular in other regions of the world too. Of course, contracts will be subject to different rules and regulations depending on the country and the service on offer. For example, in Germany, all business relations are subject to the German Civil Code when it comes to online correlation. Being in the EU means that German contracts are also subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when it comes to websites and ensuring the safe use of user’s personal data. Again, contracts would be legally enforceable once they are entered into.

References:

Data Protection Act 2018

German Civil Code

Sale of Goods Act 1979