Free vs Paid Web Maintenance: What to Choose?
We compare the different web maintenance options and explain why free maintenance can be the best investment for your business.
Key insight: The cheapest option isn't always the most economical. Hidden maintenance costs can add up to thousands per year.
The hidden cost of "cheap" websites
When choosing a website, most businesses focus on the initial price. But the real cost comes from maintenance, updates, and keeping your site running smoothly.
What typical agencies charge for maintenance
Traditional Maintenance Costs:
- • Text changes: $50-150 per update
- • Image updates: $75-200 per change
- • Contact info changes: $30-100 per update
- • Price/menu updates: $40-120 per change
- • Monthly retainer: $200-800/month
Annual cost: $2,400 - $9,600
Why we offer free maintenance
At LunarDesign, we include basic maintenance for free. This isn't a loss-leader or marketing gimmick—it's a sustainable business model that benefits everyone.
Our reasoning
"Happy clients with up-to-date websites are our best marketing. They refer new customers and stay with us long-term."
— LunarDesign Philosophy
What we include for free
✅ Always FREE
- • Text and content updates
- • Image replacements
- • Contact information changes
- • Business hours updates
- • Price/menu modifications
- • Adding/removing basic products
- • Security monitoring
- • Performance optimization
💰 What we charge for
- • Major design changes
- • New page creation
- • Complex functionality
- • Third-party integrations
- • Complete redesigns
- • Custom development
Even these are competitively priced
How this compares to other options
Option 1: DIY Maintenance
Cost: Seemingly free, but...
Reality check:
- • Time investment: 2-5 hours per update
- • Learning curve: Weeks to become proficient
- • Risk of breaking things: One wrong click can crash your site
- • Opportunity cost: Time away from running your business
If your time is worth $50/hour, a "simple" update costs $100-250 in your time.
Option 2: Freelance Developers
Cost: $50-150 per task
Pros: Often less expensive than agencies
Cons: Availability issues, inconsistent quality, no guarantees
Option 3: Marketing Agencies
Cost: $200-800/month retainers
Pros: Professional service, comprehensive support
Cons: Expensive, often includes services you don't need
Option 4: LunarDesign Free Maintenance
Cost: $0 for basic updates
Why this works:
- • Modern technology requires minimal maintenance
- • Automated systems handle security and performance
- • Happy clients lead to referrals and long-term relationships
- • Volume allows us to absorb basic maintenance costs
Real client experiences
Restaurant Owner - Maria R.
"I used to pay $300/month for website updates. With LunarDesign, I've saved over $3,000 this year just on maintenance. When I need to update our menu or hours, it's done within 24 hours at no charge."
Previous cost: $3,600/year → Current cost: $0/year
Legal Practice - Carlos P.
"The free maintenance is incredible. I can focus on my practice knowing that any changes I need are handled quickly and professionally. It's like having an in-house web team."
Previous struggle: DIY updates taking 3-4 hours each
The catch? There isn't one (but here are the details)
Response times
- Simple updates: 24-48 hours
- Complex requests: 3-5 business days
- Emergency fixes: Same day (within business hours)
Communication
Submit requests via email or WhatsApp with clear instructions. We confirm receipt and provide completion estimates.
Reasonable use policy
Free maintenance is designed for normal business updates. We won't charge for regular updates, but we reserve the right to discuss pricing for unusually frequent or complex requests.
How to evaluate your current situation
Calculate your annual maintenance cost:
- 1. How many times per year do you update your website?
- 2. What does each update cost (or how much time does it take you)?
- 3. Multiply: Updates per year × Cost per update
- 4. Add any monthly retainer fees
If your annual total is more than $500, you're likely overpaying.
Questions to ask potential web providers
- What's included in maintenance? Get a specific list.
- How much do simple updates cost? Text changes, image swaps, etc.
- What's the response time? How quickly will updates be made?
- Are there any hidden fees? Monthly minimums, setup charges, etc.
- Can I see examples of maintenance requests? What do other clients typically ask for?
Ready to stop paying for basic updates?
Let's discuss how our free maintenance model can save your business money while keeping your website current.
Learn About Our MaintenanceConclusion: Choose based on total cost, not initial price
When evaluating website options, look beyond the initial development cost. Consider:
- Annual maintenance expenses
- Your time investment for DIY updates
- Risk of mistakes and downtime
- Quality and speed of support
Free maintenance isn't too good to be true—it's a sustainable business model that benefits both clients and developers. By using modern technology and building long-term relationships, we can offer something traditional agencies can't: truly worry-free website ownership.
The best website is one that grows with your business without breaking your budget. Choose a provider who understands that maintenance is part of the service, not an additional revenue stream.