"How much does it cost to maintain a website?" is one of the most common questions we get from clients. Many business owners think that once a website is up and running, it will work on its own, but the reality is different - without regular maintenance, even the best website quickly becomes slow, insecure and outdated.
According to a 2024 survey, 67% of Bulgarian small businesses had problems with their website due to lack of regular maintenance. The result - lost customers, poor SEO ranking and even hacker attacks.
In this detailed guide, we'll cover all aspects of website maintenance, from the basic tasks to the hidden costs. You'll learn exactly what professional maintenance involves, how much each item costs, and how to avoid nasty billing surprises.
What Website Maintenance Includes
Website maintenance is much more than occasional updates. It's a complex process that ensures your website runs smoothly, safely and efficiently.
Basic maintenance components:
Technical updates: Update WordPress, plugins, themes and other software components. This is critical for security and functionality.
Security and monitoring: Constantly monitor for threats, install security patches, setup firewall and antivirus protection.
Backup and Restore: Automatic daily backups, test restores, and multiple location storage.
Performance: Speed optimization, image compression, caching and CDN settings.
Hosting Support: Server management, DNS settings, SSL certificates and email configuration.
Content and design: Update information, add new pages, design changes on request.
SEO support: Position tracking, technical SEO, metadata and structured data.
Analytics and reporting: Monthly reports on traffic, conversions and site performance.
Prices for Different Maintenance Levels
Support prices vary greatly depending on the volume of services and the complexity of the site:
Basic maintenance (30-80 BGN/month):
- WordPress Updates and Plugins
- Basic backup once a week
- Baseline monitoring for problems
- Email support
- Suitable for: small information sites up to 10 pages
Standard maintenance (80-200 BGN/month):
- All basic services
- Daily backups
- Security monitoring and protection
- Monthly productivity reports
- Minor changes in content
- Suitable for: business websites and small e-commerce
Premium maintenance (200-500 BGN/month):
- All standard services
- 24/7 monitoring
- Priority maintenance
- SEO
- Regular design changes
- Detailed analytics
- Suitable for: large corporate websites and online stores
Corporate support (500+ BGN/month):
- Personalized services
- Dedicated support
- Complex integrations
- Custom developments
- SLA guarantees
- Suitable for: Large companies with critical websites
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Many providers advertise low prices but then add extra charges for basic services:
Frequent hidden costs:
- Recovery from backup: 100-300 BGN per incident
- Malware removal: 200-800 BGN
- Urgent changes outside working hours: 150-300 BGN/hour
- Migration to new hosting: 300-1000 BGN
- SSL certificate renewal: 80-200 BGN/year
- Email hosting: 50-150 BGN/month
- CDN services: 30-100 BGN/month
- Premium plugins licenses: 100-500 BGN/year
How to avoid hidden costs:
- Ask for a detailed price breakdown
- Check exactly what is included
- Ask about additional fees
- Read the contract carefully
- Choose suppliers with transparent pricing
Factors That Influence Price
The cost of maintenance depends on many factors:
Site Complexity:
- Static HTML website: cheapest maintenance
- WordPress with few plugins: moderate price
- E-commerce with many products: high price
- Custom developments: the most expensive maintenance
Traffic and congestion:
- Up to 1000 visitors per month: standard price
- 1000-10000 visitors: 20-50% mark-up
- 10000+ visitors: individual pricing
Number of emails and domains:
- 1-5 email addresses: included in the price
- 5-20 addresses: 20-50 BGN extra
- 20+ addresses: corporate plan
Frequency of changes:
- Monthly changes: included in the standard plan
- Weekly changes: premium plan
- Daily changes: surcharges
Maintenance Level:
- Weekdays 9-17: standard price
- Extended hours: 30% mark-up
- 24/7 support: 100% markup
Subscription vs One-time Model
There are two main approaches to paying for maintenance:
Subscription model (recommended):
- Predictable monthly costs
- Most services included
- Priority for problems
- Long-term partnership
- Better quality of service
One-off services:
- Pay only when there is a problem
- Lack of preventive care
- Higher prices for emergencies
- No quality guarantee
- Possible delays with problems
Comparison of costs per year:
Subscription model (100 BGN/month):
- Total: 1200 BGN/year
- Includes everything basic
- No surprises
One-off services:
- Updates: 300 lv.
- Backup recovery: 200 BGN
- Malware removal: 400 lv.
- Urgent changes: 600 BGN
- Total: 1500+ BGN/year
What to Look for in a Maintenance Contract
Before signing a maintenance contract, look out for the following items:
Clearly defined services:
- What exactly is included
- How many changes you can make
- Response time for problems
- Emergency procedures
SLA (Service Level Agreement):
- Guaranteed response time
- Uptime guarantees (99.9% minimum)
- Compensations for non-compliance
- Escalation procedures
Ownership and control:
- Who owns the domain
- Access to the hosting panel
- Right to export data
- Termination procedures
Additional costs:
- When to apply
- How to calculate
- Prior notification
- Limits and restrictions
What You Get with Studio New Era
Our subscription model is designed to deliver maximum value without hidden costs:
Starter plan (99 BGN/month):
- All basic maintenance activities
- Daily backups
- Security monitoring
- Up to 1 hour of site work per month
- Email support on working days
- Monthly reports
Business plan (299 BGN/month):
- All services from the starter plan
- Up to 3 hours of site work per month
- Priority maintenance
- Telephone support
- SEO monitoring
- Personal consultant
Why we choose the subscription model:
- Transparency - know exactly how much you are paying
- Quality - we don't skimp on security
- Partnership - we are interested in your success
- Flexibility - you can terminate at any time
How to Avoid Maintenance Problems
Before signing a contract:
- Check recommendations and reviews
- Request a demonstration of services
- Test the response time
- Compare several offers
After the start of the service:
- Keep an eye on the reports regularly
- Test backup recovery
- Check site speed
- Communicate actively with the team
Red flags:
- Too low prices without explanation
- Lack of a clear contract
- No access to your data
- Slow answers to questions
- Frequent change of contact persons
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I maintain my website myself? Technically yes, but it takes time and specialized knowledge. For most business owners, it is more efficient to focus on the core business.
How long does monthly maintenance take? For a standard WordPress site - 2-4 hours per month for basic activities. For complex sites it can be significantly more.
What happens if my website is hacked? With good support this is rare, but if it does happen, professional teams have procedures to quickly restore from backup and remove malware.
Can I change support provider? Yes, but you need to make sure you have access to all data and passwords. Good providers help with the transfer.
Is maintenance included in the price? Usually no. Most agencies offer 1-3 months of free support, after which the paid service begins.
How do I know if I am getting quality support? Keep an eye on response times, regularity of backups, site speed and lack of problems. A good provider also provides monthly reports.
Is it worth paying for 24/7 support? For business critical sites - yes. For standard corporate sites, support during business hours is usually sufficient.
Can I cancel the contract at any time? It depends on the conditions. Look for contracts without long commitments or with reasonable termination terms.
Conclusion
Website maintenance is not an expense, it is an investment in the security, productivity and success of your online business. The right maintenance saves time, money and nerves in the long run.
Prices in Bulgaria vary widely, but quality maintenance costs between 80-300 BGN per month for most business websites. The most important thing is to choose a provider with transparent pricing, proven experience and a good reputation.
The subscription model offers the best value and peace of mind for business owners. Instead of worrying about technical issues, you can focus on growing your business.
Are you ready to provide professional support for your website? Contact us for a free evaluation and start sleeping easy about your website security!