When a website is being built, all the attention goes to the design and the price, while the question "and then what?" is left for later. Then it happens: the contact form stops working, the site slows down, your Google position slips — and nobody knows since when.
In this article we explain, without jargon, what website maintenance actually covers, what it costs and how to tell that your site needs it.
What website maintenance covers
A website is software running on a server and, like a phone or a computer, it needs regular updates. Basic maintenance usually covers:
- updates to the content management system (CMS) and its plugins,
- security updates that close known vulnerabilities,
- checking that everything still works after each update (forms, links, layout),
- fixing minor faults and making small adjustments,
- monitoring that the site is up and loads quickly,
- technical help when something gets stuck or you cannot sort it out yourself.
What maintenance costs
Basic monthly maintenance for small and medium websites in Slovenia mostly ranges between €30 and €80 a month, and considerably more for complex sites and online stores. The differences are mainly in scope: some packages cover updates only, others also include small content changes and priority support.
At GE-KO basic maintenance costs €35 + VAT per month — with no lock-in, covering updates, security, minor fixes and technical support. We also take over sites built by other suppliers, and carry out a free technical review before doing so.
Tip: If you have your website on rental, basic maintenance is already included in the monthly price for the duration — check before ordering it separately.
The hidden cost: what happens without maintenance
An unmaintained site costs nothing — until it costs a lot. The most common scenarios from practice:
- A break-in through an outdated plugin. Cleaning an infected site, changing passwords and getting removed from security blacklists quickly exceeds years of maintenance fees.
- A silent form failure. Enquiries stop arriving and you assume there is no interest. The damage is invisible but very real.
- A slide on Google. A slow, technically weak site gradually loses rankings — and by the time you notice, the way back is long.
- Incompatibility at a major update. If a site skips several years of updates, catching up is often more expensive than maintenance would have been for the whole period.
Does every site need maintenance?
It depends on the technology. Sites on WordPress and similar systems with many plugins are the most vulnerable without regular updates. Simple, custom-built sites with few external components need fewer interventions — but even there, somebody has to keep an eye on uptime, hosting and security.
Online stores on Shopify are a special case: Shopify itself looks after the security, updates and operation of the platform, so maintenance there mainly means looking after the design, the content and the apps.
Checklist: does your site need help?
If you nodded at two or more of these, it is time for a conversation — before something bigger breaks.
- The last system update was more than six months ago (or you do not know when).
- You do not know who would help if the site stopped working tomorrow.
- Nobody has tested the contact form in a long time.
- The site takes more than three seconds to load on a phone.
- The supplier who built the site is no longer reachable.
Frequently asked questions
Can I maintain the site myself?
Technically yes, if you know what you are doing: updates have to be installed carefully and everything checked afterwards. Most business owners conclude that an hour of their own time is worth less than the cost of a package.
GE-KO did not build my site. Will you still take it on?
Yes — before taking over we carry out a free technical review and tell you honestly what condition the site is in and what we recommend.
Does maintenance include new pages and redesigns?
No — maintenance covers updates, security and minor fixes. New pages, redesigns and larger features are quoted separately.