Recently, one of my articles was published in a newsletter. Like anyone would, I clicked the link to see how it looked live — only to be greeted by a page of PHP warning messages coming straight from my own website.
Not exactly the polished first impression you want as a web developer.
But here’s the reality: web development is constantly changing. A modern website isn’t a single, static piece of code. It’s a living system built on a core framework, with countless add-ons, plugins, and integrations layered on top to make it secure, functional, and affordable. These moving parts come from different vendors, updated on different schedules, and sometimes the “fix” for one issue can unexpectedly break another.
Even with 30 years of experience, I’m reminded that no site is completely immune — not even mine. I log into my site nearly every day, so I would have caught the errors soon enough. The culprit this time was simple: I had forgotten to turn off the “error display” on the frontend after troubleshooting a previous issue. As luck would have it, that’s when a featured article went live, suddenly sending far more eyes to my site than usual.
For me, it was an easy fix — no panic required. But I know from working with clients that seeing a screen full of warnings can feel like the end of the world, especially when it happens at 9 p.m. on a Friday night.
The lesson here is simple: websites need consistent attention. Just like a car, you can’t expect to drive it for years without oil changes, inspections, and the occasional repair. Regular maintenance keeps sites secure, ensures plugins and add-ons play nicely together, and prevents embarrassing moments when visitors come knocking.
If you’re serious about your online presence, don’t wait until something breaks. Stay on top of updates, security patches, and performance checks — because in today’s digital world, your website isn’t just a brochure. It’s your reputation. And as I was reminded firsthand, reputations deserve care.
~Shon Sullivan, 3GEES
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