Client Engagement - Customer Reference- Supporting a WordPress Site
Website administrator
A website administrator is responsible for the day-to-day management of the website.
- Oversee user privileges
- Plugin updates
- Theme updates
- Security updates
- Comment moderation
- Content creation
Often the website administrator role is delegated to multiple individuals.
Web hosting
A web hosting firm is responsible for hosting the website on its servers. Each type of hosting has its own set of pros and cons, including pricing differences, varying maintenance and management requirements, and bandwidth limits.
Web hosting services generally fall into the following categories:
- Shared Server - The website is one of many that share resources on the server
- Virtual Private Server - The website is provided dedicated resources on a shared server
- Dedicated Server - The website is on a server of its own and is not impacted by outages or resource overuse of other websites
- Cloud Hosting - The website is hosted on a distributed network of servers, rather than an individual server
Minimum server requirements for WordPress hosting:
- PHP version 8.3 or greater
- MySQL version 5.7 or greater
- (used, but not as widely) MariaDB version 11.3 or greater
- HTTPS support
Technical support
Technical support is generally handled by a web developer or web development firm. Web hosting firms typically offer limited technical support. Most web hosts will assist in resolving server-related issues, not the software running on the server. Typically, a contracted web developer is needed to provide website-specific technical support.
Web developers provide technical support for the following:
- Remediation of server-side issues and outages
- Making changes to the website’s layout
- Fixing bugs
- Implementing accessibility enhancements to layouts
- Updating the website’s WordPress software, plugins, and themes
- General consultation
Design
Design needs are generally supported by a graphic designer or a design firm. Design needs vary by project. Some organizations may require highly-branded bespoke designs to match their brand identity, other organizations may opt to reuse generic layouts.
Designers provide support for the following:
- Layout and UI design
- Cutting and compressing web assets
- Designing materials for marketing campaigns
- Ensuring a consistent brand identity across touchpoints
Marketing
Marketing support is generally handled by an internal team or a contracted marketing firm. The marketing team runs advertising campaigns, works with designers or developers to create digital marketing materials, and tracks the success of their campaigns.
The offerings of a marketing firm are unique to the individual firm, some firms may offer creative or technical services depending on the touch points they specialize on.