Maintenance & Support

A website isn't a finished product. It's a live system that needs looking after. Rain's retainers keep it secure, current, and working hard for your business.

A broken website isn't inconvenient. It's a revenue failure.

Most sites that end up needing expensive rebuilds every two or three years got there because maintenance was skipped - not because the original build was poor. Small patches prevent deep, structural problems.

Proactive

Minor planned interventions. Transparent, spread-out cost. Optimisation over time. You stay in control.

Reactive

Major, unpredictable downtime. Unknown cost - usually three to five times more expensive. Patchwork fixes that don't last.

One keeps the site alive. The other keeps it useful.

Maintenance and Support are different things. Both matter. The right combination depends on your team, your site, and how much you want to own versus hand over.

Maintenance

Most hacks exploit outdated software — regular CMS updates patch those vulnerabilities before anyone finds them. Browser standards evolve. Algorithms shift. Without incremental maintenance, sites degrade until the only option is a full rebuild.

CMS platform updates (Umbraco, Sitecore, WordPress)
Security patching and vulnerability monitoring
Uptime monitoring and performance checks
SEO compliance as standards evolve
Monthly reporting on what was updated and blocked

Support

Maintenance keeps the site running, Support helps you win the race. When you have a brilliant idea for a new promotion, or spot something that needs fixing, you act immediately. No estimate requests. No queues. A dedicated team that knows your site and is ready to move.

CMS editing and content uploads
Bug fixes and browser compatibility
Small changes and new requirements
SEO tweaks and CRO improvements
Priority SLA with guaranteed response times

Maintenance & Support Plans

How they compare

	MAINTENANCE	SUPPORT
Primary focus What it looks after	The server and the platform	The marketing team and the customers
Core value Why it matters	Preventing catastrophic failure	Agility and ease of use
Without it… The risk	The site eventually breaks, gets hacked, or goes offline	You manage the CMS alone and wait weeks for any changes
Who needs it The right fit	Everyone with a live website	Teams without a dedicated CMS resource

Not sure where to start? Let's figure it out.

Rain will take the time to understand your site, your team, and your goals. Then we'll recommend the right level of support. No oversell. Just the right fit.

Let's talk

FAQs

How do I justify this cost to stakeholder?

You're paying for the prevention of disaster. When everything runs smoothly, the value can feel invisible. We'll provide monthly reports showing exactly what was updated, patched, and blocked. That makes the work tangible and the investment clear.

What if the site is stable and I don't use all my hours?

Unused hours don't go to waste. We agree a strategy at the outset: SEO improvements, CRO work, performance gains. The time always moves the site forward, even when nothing's broken.

Do I need both maintenance and support?

If you have an experienced internal team who can handle day-to-day CMS editing, maintenance alone may be enough. If you want total care,- knowing the site works and someone's there when you have a question - combine them. Rain can help you decide what's right.

How do I know what level of support I need?

Rain will tailor the retainer to fit. From light-touch maintenance through to a full development partnership. The right level depends on your site, your internal team, and your ambitions for what the site should be doing next.

What if my site goes down outside business hours?

With a retainer, you're a contracted priority. You will have an SLA that guarantees a response within a defined timeframe - including bank holidays and during critical campaigns. You can't afford to spend hours vetting freelancers when revenue is stopping.