Maintenance plans in South Africa cluster around three price points. Here’s what each tier should include — use it as a checklist against any provider, including us.
The ~R499/month tier: the essentials
At this price you should get the non-negotiables that keep a site alive:
- Weekly software updates (core, plugins, themes) — applied carefully, not auto-updated blind
- Daily backups stored off the hosting server
- 24/7 uptime monitoring
- Small fixes included, with a stated task-size limit
Red flags at this tier: monthly-only backups, “updates” that are just auto-update turned on, no stated response time. If R499 buys only a monthly login-and-click, you’re overpaying.
The ~R999/month tier: security and speed of response
The middle tier is where most established businesses should land. On top of the essentials, expect:
- Active security scanning with malware removal included (not quoted extra when found)
- A priority response SLA — ours is 4 business hours
- Higher task throughput for busier sites
Red flags: “security included” that turns out to mean a free plugin installed and never reviewed; malware cleanup billed separately despite a “security” plan.
The ~R1,999/month tier: performance and accountability
The top tier should feel like having a technical person on light retainer:
- Ongoing performance optimisation — measured, not vibes
- A monthly report you can actually read: what was done, what was found, what’s recommended
- Priority scheduling — your tasks jump the queue
Red flags: reports that are auto-generated plugin exports; “performance optimisation” with no before/after numbers.
Questions to ask any provider
- Where exactly are backups stored, and how do I get them if I leave?
- What’s the task size limit and what’s excluded?
- Is the response time in writing?
- Do you require me to move hosting? (Beware lock-in.)
- What happens in month one — is there an onboarding health check?
Our answers to all five are on the pricing and FAQ pages. Compare freely — an informed buyer is our favourite kind.