Looking for a WordPress maintenance contract? Whether you're a business owner searching for the right maintenance provider or trying to understand what should be included in your agreement, this guide covers everything you need to know about WordPress maintenance contracts.
What is a WordPress Maintenance Contract?
A WordPress maintenance contract is a formal agreement between a website owner and a maintenance provider that outlines the services, responsibilities, and expectations for keeping a WordPress site secure, updated, and running smoothly.
Think of it as an insurance policy for your website - it ensures your site stays healthy, secure, and operational while giving you peace of mind and professional support when issues arise.
Why You Need a WordPress Maintenance Contract
WordPress powers over 40% of the internet, but maintaining a WordPress site isn't as simple as "set it and forget it." Here's what happens without proper maintenance:
- Security vulnerabilities from outdated plugins and themes
- Performance issues that drive away visitors and hurt SEO
- Compatibility problems when updates conflict with each other
- Downtime during critical business moments
- Data loss from failed updates or security breaches
A solid maintenance contract prevents these problems before they impact your business.
What Should Be Included in a WordPress Maintenance Contract?
Core Maintenance Services
WordPress Core Updates
- Regular updates to the latest WordPress version
- Security patches and bug fixes
- Compatibility testing before applying updates
Plugin and Theme Updates
- Weekly or monthly updates to all installed plugins
- Theme updates and compatibility checks
- Rollback protection if updates cause issues
Security Monitoring
- Real-time malware scanning and removal
- Security hardening and firewall protection
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
Backup Services
- Daily or weekly automated backups
- Offsite backup storage for disaster recovery
- Easy backup restoration when needed
Performance Optimization
- Database optimization and cleanup
- Image optimization and compression
- Caching configuration and management
- Page speed monitoring and improvements
Support and Response Times
Technical Support Levels
- Basic support: Email-based assistance within 24-48 hours
- Priority support: Same-day response for urgent issues
- Emergency support: Immediate response for critical downtime
What Support Should Cover
- Plugin conflicts and compatibility issues
- Theme customization problems
- Site functionality troubleshooting
- Performance optimization recommendations
- Security issue resolution
Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Uptime Guarantees Most reputable providers offer 99.9% uptime guarantees, meaning your site should be down for no more than 8.77 hours per year.
Response Time Commitments
- Critical issues (site down): 1-2 hours
- High priority (functionality broken): 4-8 hours
- Normal requests: 24-48 hours
Performance Standards
- Page load time targets
- Server response time guarantees
- Monthly performance reports
Pricing and Payment Terms
Monthly vs. Annual Contracts
- Monthly: More flexibility but often higher per-month cost
- Annual: Better rates but longer commitment
What's Typically Included vs. Additional Costs
- Usually included: Updates, backups, basic support, security monitoring
- Often additional: Major customizations, third-party plugin purchases, extensive development work
Transparent Pricing Structure Look for providers who clearly outline what's included and what costs extra. Avoid contracts with hidden fees or vague "unlimited" claims.
Red Flags to Avoid in WordPress Maintenance Contracts
Vague Service Descriptions
Avoid contracts that use unclear language like "basic maintenance" or "standard support" without specific details about what's included.
No Response Time Guarantees
If a provider won't commit to response times, they probably don't have the capacity to provide reliable support.
Locked-In Hosting Requirements
Be wary of maintenance providers who require you to use their hosting or charge excessive fees to work with your current host.
No Backup Access
You should always have access to your own website backups and files. Avoid providers who lock you in by controlling all access.
Unrealistic "Unlimited" Claims
True unlimited support doesn't exist. Look for providers who clearly define what's included in their support scope.
How to Choose the Right WordPress Maintenance Provider
Look for Developer-Level Expertise
Your maintenance provider should have real WordPress developers on staff, not just ticket-takers who follow scripts. You want someone who can:
- Debug code-level issues
- Handle custom functionality
- Integrate with third-party systems
- Fix complex plugin conflicts
Prioritize Response Times and Communication
Fast response times aren't just nice to have - they're essential for business continuity. Look for providers who offer:
- Direct access to technical staff
- Clear communication about issues and fixes
- Proactive monitoring and alerts
- Regular status updates
Check Their Track Record
- How long have they been in business?
- Do they have testimonials from long-term clients?
- What's their actual uptime performance?
- Can they provide references from similar businesses?
Evaluate Their Hosting Integration
The best maintenance providers offer integrated hosting and support, eliminating finger-pointing between hosting and maintenance teams when issues arise.
Why FatLab's WordPress Maintenance Contracts Stand Out
At FatLab, we've been providing WordPress maintenance since 2011, and our contracts are built around what actually matters for business websites:
Developer-Level Support, Not Scripts
Our team includes experienced WordPress developers who can handle everything from basic updates to complex troubleshooting. No ticket queues or canned responses - just real solutions from real developers.
Transparent, All-Inclusive Pricing
Our maintenance plans include hosting, updates, backups, security monitoring, and unlimited support - all for one flat monthly price. No surprise charges or hidden fees.
Our Maintenance Plans:
- Watch Dog Starter ($35/month): Perfect for low-traffic sites needing reliable maintenance and security
- Watch Dog Basic ($99/month): Ideal for growing businesses with unlimited traffic and priority support
- Watch Dog Pro ($225+/month): Complete strategic partnership for organizations needing dedicated support
Proven Results for Real Businesses
"Since migrating to FatLab, we've experienced zero downtime and prompt, effective responses to every question." - Jason Wu, Director of Operations, Human Services Council
"Our website is a crucial community resource that must be available 24/7/365. Since switching from our previous host a few years ago, we've experienced no slowdowns, security issues, or downtime." - Kristin Cantwell, VP of Development & Communications, Safe+Sound Somerset
What Makes Our Contracts Different
- Zero downtime track record with enterprise-level reliability
- 2-hour response times for priority support clients
- Proactive monitoring that catches issues before they impact users
- Flexible terms with no long-term lock-ins
- White-glove troubleshooting that gets to the root cause
- Strategic consulting beyond just maintenance
Essential Contract Terms to Negotiate
Termination and Data Portability
Ensure you can terminate the contract with reasonable notice (typically 30 days) and that you'll receive all your website files and data.
Scope of Included Services
Get specific details about what's included in "maintenance" - updates, monitoring, backups, and support should all be clearly defined.
Emergency Support Procedures
Understand how to reach support during emergencies and what response times you can expect.
Update and Change Management
Know how updates are tested and applied, and what happens if an update breaks something on your site.
Performance and Uptime Standards
Get specific commitments about uptime guarantees and what happens if they're not met.
Questions to Ask Before Signing a WordPress Maintenance Contract
- What specific services are included in maintenance?
- What are your guaranteed response times for different types of issues?
- How do you test updates before applying them to my live site?
- What's your actual uptime performance over the last 12 months?
- Can I speak directly with the developers who will work on my site?
- How do you handle emergency situations outside business hours?
- What happens to my website files and data if I want to leave?
- Do you offer staging environments for testing changes?
- How do you handle plugin conflicts or custom code issues?
- What kind of reporting do you provide on site performance and maintenance activities?
The Bottom Line on WordPress Maintenance Contracts
A good WordPress maintenance contract is an investment in your business continuity, security, and peace of mind. The right provider will:
- Keep your site secure, fast, and always available
- Provide expert support when you need it most
- Give you transparency into what they're doing and why
- Scale their services as your business grows
Don't settle for basic "website maintenance" that leaves you stranded when real problems arise. Choose a provider with developer-level expertise, proven results, and a commitment to your success.
Ready to Get Professional WordPress Maintenance?
FatLab has been trusted by hundreds of businesses and nonprofits since 2011. Our maintenance contracts include everything you need - hosting, updates, security, backups, and unlimited expert support - all for one transparent monthly price.
Ready to stop worrying about WordPress issues?
- View our maintenance plans and pricing
- Read more client success stories
- Contact us for a free consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I expect to pay for WordPress maintenance?
Professional WordPress maintenance typically ranges from $35-200+ per month, depending on your site's complexity, traffic, and support needs. Avoid providers charging less than $25/month, as they likely can't provide adequate support at that price point.
What's the difference between WordPress maintenance and support?
Maintenance focuses on keeping your site updated, backed up, and secure. Support helps you troubleshoot issues, fix problems, and implement changes. The best providers offer both as part of an integrated service.
Can I maintain my WordPress site myself?
While basic maintenance is possible for technical users, professional maintenance provides expertise, monitoring, and response capabilities that are difficult to replicate on your own - especially for business-critical sites.
How often should WordPress sites be updated?
WordPress core updates should be applied within days of release for security updates. Plugin and theme updates should be reviewed and applied weekly or bi-weekly, with proper testing to ensure compatibility.
What happens if a maintenance update breaks my website?
Professional maintenance providers should have rollback procedures and staging environments to test updates before applying them to your live site. If something does break, they should fix it immediately at no additional cost.
Do I need maintenance if my site is hosted on WordPress.com?
WordPress.com handles basic maintenance automatically, but you're limited in customization options. Self-hosted WordPress sites (WordPress.org) require active maintenance but offer much more flexibility and control.