Nine Reasons Why You Should Outsource Your Web Support
Anyone can build and run a serviceable professional website these days. The arrival of services like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify and WordPress before all of them was a game-changer in making web development accessible to anyone with basic IT skills, rather than specialist HTML programming knowledge.
Similarly, when it comes to getting and keeping a site online, you no longer have to run the gauntlet of installing web server software on a server, setting up and managing domain name system (DNS) records, or maintaining the correct network configurations. You just pay a web hosting service a monthly fee to do it all for you.
In a roundabout sort of way, because third-party services for these essential technical web functions have become so accessible, affordable and easy to use, it has encouraged more and more businesses to take on the entire running of their site themselves.
But it’s not all as easy as using a drag-and-drop web builder and choosing a hosting plan. Keeping a website online, functioning at its best and secure takes vigilance and know-how, not to mention time and effort. The last two are not resources many business owners have in great reserve. Especially not enough to learn all the ins and outs of website performance optimisation, protection etc.
So, while there is merit in the do-it-yourself ethic, the question is whether, as a business owner, you can give such a critical asset as a website the 100% attention it deserves? Are you able to respond quickly and effectively enough when something goes wrong, knowing that any dip in performance is likely to cost customers and money? And does it make more sense to build those capabilities in-house or outsource to someone who is already set up to meet those needs?
A lot of business owners conclude that outsourcing to a managed web hosting and support service makes the best sense for their business and their customers. Here are nine reasons why.
Cost Savings
The biggest argument people present against any kind of outsourcing is that it costs more. If I can run my website myself, why pay anyone else to do it? But in most cases, it’s the opposite that is true.
According to one YouGov survey about IT outsourcing practices in general, 30% of UK businesses agree that it saves them money. The biggest reason for this is because third-party service fees work out a lot cheaper than hiring and training people to run an in-house web team. 70% of businesses in another global survey pointed to this as a key cost benefit of IT outsourcing.
Outsourcing is more cost-effective because you don’t need a ratio of one tech specialist or team to run one website. It’s not a full-time occupation. At Key Element, our web support team can monitor and assist with dozens of client sites at once, providing expertise on demand a rates many times lower than a full-time salary.
Access to Expertise
It’s also the case that the technical expertise required to run a website and maintain optimum performance is in shorter supply than ever, precisely because demand is so high. This further pushes up the cost of hiring. And it’s not the sort of thing you can quickly upskill members of your existing team to do.
The YouGov poll already mentioned it found that access to skills was the single biggest reason UK businesses outsource IT functions. 48% say they lack the skills they need in-house.
Focus on Core Business
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If you don’t have the time or the skills required to keep your website at peak performance, it can become a distraction. And that takes away from running the rest of your business at peak efficiency and productivity.
It’s telling that 57% of companies say they outsource to increase productivity, while 24% of small businesses see it as a way to boost efficiency. It’s about effective division of labour. Your internal team focuses its energies on what they are good at, like growing the business and providing exceptional customer service. And you have specialists on hand to handle the technical side of running a website. That way, all tasks are covered to maximum effect.
Improved Website Performance
It’s no longer just enough to have a website for your business. You need a website that looks great, performs exceptionally and delivers the experience customers want. Web users just don’t tolerate anything less these days. One in four people will abandon a web page that doesn’t load in four seconds, and 46% won’t go back to sites that perform poorly.
With performance such a critical factor in determining the success of a website, it makes sense to have the best people on the job. And as we’ve said, the easiest and most efficient route to web expertise is by outsourcing. By taking care of maintenance, updates, and optimizations proactively, managed hosting services like that offered by Key Element help to ensure better speed, functionality, and overall user experience.
24/7 Support
You don’t need people working full-time on your website just to keep it running. But what you do need is round-the-clock monitoring and effective protocols in place for responding to and resolving issues asap. Even if you do have your own in-house IT team, what happens when your site goes down out of office hours?
As part of our managed hosting services, Key Element offers 24/7 performance monitoring. As the theory of just-in-time production teaches, outsourced web support delivers expertise as you need it, when you need it, which is the most efficient way to maintain optimum levels.
Faster Issue Resolution
We’ve highlighted how downtime and performance glitches cost your business. So, another way outsourced support benefits your bottom line is because it means the issue can be resolved as quickly as possible. As in the example given above of your site going down out of office hours, 24/7 support means you’re not waiting until the next morning to address it, potentially haemorrhaging money. It’s addressed proactively. Skilled specialist teams are also better equipped to quickly diagnose, troubleshoot and resolve issues because it’s what they do all day.
Latest Technology & Tools
The online world is extremely fast-paced and dynamic. Things change at breakneck speed, with a constant barrage of new technologies emerging all the time that have a fundamental impact on web performance. As an example, look no further than the current AI revolution we’re smack bang in the middle of.
Not keeping up with these trends and developments can cause your website to slip behind the competition and look tired and obsolete in remarkably little time. Third-party web support specialists like Key Element not only have the expertise needed to help your site perform at its best, we also have access to the most advanced tools, technologies, best practices, and keeping our fingers firmly on the pulse of what is coming next.
Enhanced Security
Arguably the most critical area for keeping right up to date with the latest trends and technologies in web management is cybersecurity. Small business owners often assume that cyber criminals mainly target big corporations and institutions. But in fact, 43% of all cyber-attacks target SME websites and digital systems. And this is because they don’t have the level of protection large organisations have.
Cyber-attacks can have a devastating impact on businesses, causing direct financial losses through theft and fraud, turmoil to website performance, and lasting reputational damage. Nearly two-thirds of small businesses targeted in cyber-attacks go out of business within six months.
With the stakes so high, and with the increasing sophistication of cybercrime methods, the argument for outsourcing security to specialists is compelling.
Compliance & Risk Management
Similar to cybersecurity, the regulatory environment around data privacy and protection means that businesses just cannot afford to take risks over compliance. As a website owner, you automatically collect customer data (and no doubt want to leverage it for sales, marketing and customer relationship insights). You are therefore responsible for managing that data in compliance with the law.
There is a technical side to this which includes cybersecurity but also reaches into areas like infrastructure and protocol management. It’s another area where expertise is invaluable, and it’s telling that a third of companies cite a desire to improve governance, risk and security measures as a reason for outsourcing IT capabilities.
Summary
Outsourcing web support and managed web hosting services can significantly enhance efficiency and productivity by allowing experts to handle critical but time-consuming tasks. With a dedicated team managing website performance, security, and updates, businesses can benefit from faster turnaround times, improved reliability, and reduced operational costs. This approach not only boosts competitiveness but also ensures seamless website functionality without the hassle of in-house maintenance.
Looking for affordable web hosting and WordPress hosting? Contact Key Element and let us handle your web support needs with expertise and care!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I outsource my website support instead of handling it myself?
Outsourcing allows you to access expert technical support, improve website performance, enhance security, and free up time to focus on your core business operations, all at a lower cost than hiring a dedicated in-house team.
How much does outsourced web support cost?
The cost varies based on the level of service you need. However, outsourcing is often more affordable than hiring full-time staff since you only pay for the services required, avoiding recruitment and training expenses.
Will I lose control over my website if I outsource support?
No. You will retain full control over your website while your outsourced team handles technical maintenance, security, and performance optimisation to ensure smooth operations.
What happens if my website goes down?
With outsourced support, your website is constantly monitored, and any downtime is addressed immediately to restore functionality as quickly as possible.
How often will my website be updated and maintained?
This depends on your service plan, but regular updates, performance checks, security patches, and backups are typically conducted on a scheduled basis to ensure your site runs smoothly.
Can I get support for specific website platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Wix?
Yes. Most outsourced web support services specialise in multiple platforms, including WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and custom-built websites.
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