For my own clients, I guarantee their sites are delivered free of malware, with all operating files fully up-to-date. I maintain and update the site for 30 days after launch. After those initial 30 days, clients should secure a maintenance agreement to ensure the site stays current, clean, and malware-free.

Ask any prospective designer what their warranty covers — and what it doesn’t. Software running your website is regularly updated by third-party producers, and when major security breaches are discovered, all “downstream” software requires updates as well. A site without ongoing maintenance is a site that ages badly and becomes vulnerable.