Frequently Asked Questions


Getting Started & General

What exactly does “website management” include?

Website management means your WordPress site is actively monitored, maintained, and protected on an ongoing basis.

This includes software updates, security monitoring, backups, uptime checks, performance oversight, and responding to issues before they turn into emergencies.

Is this service a good fit for every WordPress site?

No, and that’s intentional.

This service is designed for established businesses that value stability, security, and consistent oversight.

It is not a fit for experimental projects, neglected sites, businesses expecting frequent redesigns or plugin changes, or those requiring 24/7 on-demand support.

The focus is long-term reliability, not rapid-fire changes or round-the-clock help desk coverage.

What if I already have managed WordPress hosting?

Managed hosting maintains the server environment, but it does not actively oversee your specific plugins, theme compatibility, security posture, or long-term configuration health.

I take responsibility for your WordPress installation itself, monitor how components interact, and step in when issues arise.

Hosting keeps the lights on. I make sure the system running your business stays stable.

Do you manage WooCommerce sites?

No. I focus exclusively on non-ecommerce WordPress sites for professional service businesses. If you have a WooCommerce site, I’m not the right fit for you at this time.

Do I need to sign a long-term contract?

No. All plans are month-to-month.

Clients stay because the service consistently removes stress and risk, not because they are locked into an agreement.


Security & Data Protection

How do you protect my site from hacks and malware?

Security is layered.

This includes firewall protection, malware scanning, login hardening, monitoring for suspicious activity, and keeping WordPress, themes, and plugins properly updated.

No system is 100 percent immune, but this approach dramatically reduces risk.

What happens if my site gets hacked?

If a security incident occurs while your site is under management, I handle investigation, cleanup, and restoration as part of the service.

This includes identifying the source, removing malicious code, restoring clean backups if needed, and hardening the site to prevent recurrence.

Are my backups stored on my server?

No. Backups are stored off-site.

This ensures your site can be restored even if the server itself experiences a failure or compromise.

How often are backups performed?

Backup frequency depends on your plan.

Essential plans include weekly backups. Complete plans include daily backups for improved recovery options.


Updates & Maintenance

Will updates break my website?

Most updates are safe and routine.

Higher-risk updates are handled carefully and reviewed before and after deployment. The priority is always site stability, not rushing changes.

Do you test updates before applying them?

When possible, updates are reviewed and applied cautiously.

For sites with higher complexity or business impact, additional manual review is performed to reduce the risk of unexpected issues.

What if an update causes a problem?

If something breaks due to an update, I take responsibility for diagnosing the issue and restoring functionality.

This may involve rolling back changes, restoring from backup, or applying targeted fixes.

Do you manage hosting issues?

I do not provide hosting, but I do assist with identifying hosting-related problems and coordinating fixes when they affect site stability or security.


Performance & Reliability

Do you improve my site’s speed?

Performance is monitored as part of ongoing management. This means tracking site health, flagging unusual slowdowns, and ensuring updates don’t introduce conflicts that affect speed or stability.

Active performance optimization such as image compression, database cleanup, or caching configuration is not included in the standard maintenance plans but may be available as a separate engagement.

Do you monitor uptime?

Yes. Your site is monitored continuously for availability.

If downtime is detected, an alert is sent immediately to a dedicated device I keep solely for this purpose. I investigate and respond based on the cause and severity.

Will this help my SEO rankings?

This service supports SEO indirectly by keeping your site secure, stable, fast, and accessible.

It does not include SEO strategy, keyword work, or content optimization.


Support & Communication

How do I contact you if something goes wrong?

As a client, you can reach me through these preferred channels:

Please allow 24 to 48 hours for a response. If a situation requires a call, we can coordinate a time via email.

Do you offer 24/7 support?

I do not operate a 24/7 support desk or instant ticket system, but I do provide responsible, timely attention when it matters.

If an issue occurs, I take ownership of diagnosing and resolving it. The focus of this service is prevention first, reaction second.

How fast is your response time?

I respond to most requests within 24 to 48 hours (typically sooner).

If your site is down or actively compromised, email me at mark [at] mbehnken [dot] com with “URGENT” in the subject line and I will prioritize it as soon as possible.

Complete Plan clients receive additional monitoring that often catches these issues before you even notice them.


Billing & Service Terms

What happens if I cancel my plan?

You can cancel your service at any time. After cancellation, all responsibility for updates, security, and backups transfers back to you or your new provider.

This includes the cessation of all premium tools provided as part of your plan.

Specifically:

  • The WordFence Pro License will be deactivated and removed from your site.
  • Automated off-site backups via ManageWP will be stopped.
  • Your site will be removed from my central management dashboard, and the associated helper plugins will be uninstalled.

To ensure a smooth transition, I recommend you coordinate with your new provider before canceling. I am happy to assist with a brief handoff to them upon request.

Are refunds offered?

Because this is an ongoing service, refunds are not typically provided for completed service periods.

If you have concerns, they should be raised as soon as possible so they can be addressed.

Can I switch plans later?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade plans as your site’s needs change.


Scope & Limitations

Does this include content updates or design changes?

No. This service covers maintenance, security, and long-term site stability, not ongoing content creation, design changes, or development work.

Minor fixes directly tied to a maintenance task may be handled as needed. Anything beyond that falls outside the scope of this service.

Do you guarantee my site won’t go down or be hacked?

No website can be guaranteed hack-proof.

What I provide is proactive management, fast response, and professional oversight to minimize risk and reduce impact when issues occur.

If your site is compromised while under my care, I’ll take immediate action to isolate, scan, and restore your site based on your backup plan.


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