The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Basic Tech Support for Your Website
Practical Steps to Stay in Control of Your Online Presence
Running a business often means wearing far too many hats, and “tech support” rarely feels like one you signed up for. Yet even if you have a developer on call, knowing a few basics can save you hours of stress and prevent downtime when your site misbehaves.
This guide walks through simple, high-impact habits every entrepreneur should learn to manage their website with confidence.
Keep Your Credentials Safe and Centralized
Your logins are the keys to your digital kingdom.
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Store credentials in a password manager such as Bitwarden, 1Password, or NordPass.
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Label each entry clearly (Host, Domain Registrar, Email Admin, CMS, Analytics).
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Avoid saving passwords in browsers — a sync or device reset can wipe them out.
Having all access details organized cuts through panic when something breaks.
Understand the Core Stack
Every website relies on three main components:
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Domain – your web address (example.com)
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Hosting – the server that stores your site files
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Platform – the system running your site (WordPress, Shopify, Wix, etc.)
Knowing who provides each service and how they connect helps you troubleshoot faster. If your site goes down, you can quickly check which layer failed.
Monitor Website Uptime
Use free tools such as UptimeRobot, Better Uptime, or Site24x7 to get alerts when your website becomes unreachable.
These services check your site every few minutes and email or message you when there is a problem.
Catching downtime early protects sales and reputation.
Back Up Everything
Backups are your safety net.
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Automate daily or weekly backups of both your site files and database.
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Store copies in two locations — for instance, your host and a cloud drive like Google Drive or Dropbox.
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Test the restore function occasionally to confirm it works.
If your site is hacked or corrupted, you can restore it within minutes instead of starting from scratch.
Keep Plugins, Themes, and Software Updated
Outdated software is the most common cause of hacked sites.
Before updating, take a backup. Then:
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Check compatibility notes for major plugins.
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Update core systems first, then plugins, then themes.
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If you see errors afterward, clear your cache before assuming something broke.
Routine updates close vulnerabilities and improve performance.
Check Your Email Deliverability
Many business owners lose leads because contact forms stop sending emails.
Verify that your website uses an authenticated mail method such as SMTP or your host’s API.
Services like Mail-Tester can confirm if your domain passes SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checks.
If messages land in spam or never arrive, this is where to look first.
Track Performance Metrics
Install Google Search Console and Google Analytics 4. These tools tell you:
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How fast your site loads
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Which pages people visit
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Which searches bring them there
Even without advanced SEO knowledge, reviewing these once a month keeps you informed and proactive.
Build a Relationship with Reliable Tech Support
You do not need to do everything yourself.
Find a trustworthy partner who can step in for complex issues like malware cleanup, migration, or advanced configuration.
Keep their contact details in your password manager along with your credentials.
Treat this person like your digital mechanic. They prevent small issues from becoming disasters.
When to Ask for Help
Seek professional help if you notice:
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Site downtime lasting more than 30 minutes
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Repeated login lockouts or brute-force attempts
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Sudden ranking or traffic drops
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Broken payment or booking systems
Recognizing these early prevents loss of sales or data.
The Payoff of Being Prepared
Understanding the basics of website tech support turns panic into problem-solving. You will communicate better with developers, respond faster to issues, and maintain a site that reflects your professionalism.
Being hands-on is not about doing it all — it is about knowing enough to stay in control.
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