In today’s digital world, a visually stunning website is often seen as the holy grail of online presence. But before you sign that contract with your web designer, there’s something you need to know: a beautiful website is only half the battle. Security and functionality are just as important, if not more so. Here’s why you should think twice before focusing solely on design.
The Pitfalls of Prioritising Design Over Security
Many web designers excel at creating stunning websites that catch the eye, but too often, these sites are not built with long-term security and functionality in mind. Sure, your website might look fantastic today, but what happens tomorrow when outdated plugins leave your site vulnerable to attacks?
A quick Google search for “why you should update themes and plugins in WordPress” yields over a quarter of a billion results, all emphasising the critical importance of keeping your website up-to-date. Failing to do so can lead to a range of issues, from broken functionality to serious security breaches that could compromise your business and customer data.
Why Regular Updates and Licenses Matter
WordPress and other CMS platforms rely on plugins and themes to add functionality and style to your site. These plugins and themes, like any software, require regular updates to fix bugs, patch security vulnerabilities, and ensure compatibility with the latest version of your CMS.
However, many designers deliver a beautiful, functional website without including the necessary licences for these plugins and themes.
Without these licences, your site won’t receive the automatic updates it needs to stay secure and functional. This means that unless you’re manually updating your site—a time-consuming and technical task—you’re leaving the back door wide open for potential threats.The Cost of Cutting Corners
While it might be tempting to save a few dollars by skipping licences or relying on outdated plugins, the long-term costs can be significant. A compromised website can lead to:
- Data Breaches: Exposing sensitive customer information can damage your reputation and lead to legal consequences.
- Downtime: If your site is hacked or breaks due to outdated software, it can go offline, costing you potential sales and damaging your SEO rankings.
- Expensive Repairs: Fixing a hacked or broken website can be far more costly than simply maintaining it properly in the first place.
What You Should Expect from a Web Designer
When hiring a web designer, it’s essential to look beyond the initial design and consider the long-term security and functionality of your website. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Licences: Ensure that your designer provides licences for all premium plugins and themes used on your site. This will allow for automatic updates and ongoing support.
- Security: Ask about the security measures that will be implemented, such as firewalls, SSL certificates, and regular backups.
- Maintenance: Discuss ongoing maintenance plans to keep your website updated, secure, and functioning smoothly.
Conclusion: Invest in More Than Just a Pretty Website
A beautiful website is undoubtedly important, but it should never come at the expense of security and functionality. Make sure you’re working with a web designer who understands the importance of these elements and is committed to providing you with a website that will stand the test of time.
By investing in proper licences, regular updates, and strong security measures, you can ensure that your website not only looks great but also performs well and keeps your business safe.
For more information see the “Secure Your Page” infromation on the Australian Governments own cyber.gov.au website. Also check out the blog post from Wordfence and applying the NIST framework to website security.