When it comes to your online presence, the old adage “you get what you pay for” often comes with a digital sting. At Bizography, Inc., we recently received a note from a client, Gloria, that perfectly captures a common industry pitfall. She wrote: “Thank you for being professional and doing what you said you would do. I now know the difference between a web designer and a web design firm.” This realization didn’t come easily; it came after a year of frustration and a compromised website.
The True Cost of “Cheap” Hosting
A year ago, Gloria decided to cancel her contract with Bizography in favor of a cheaper web hosting company. On the surface, it appeared to be a smart way to save a few dollars. However, there was a hidden catch that many small business owners overlook: maintenance.
Most discount hosting providers offer you a “space” on the internet, but they don’t look after the “house” built on it. In Gloria’s case, her new provider failed to:
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- Update plugins when new versions become available.
- Monitor for vulnerabilities that leave the door open to cybercriminals.
- Provide support when things go south.
When the Nightmare Becomes Reality
Without those critical updates, Gloria’s website was left wide open. Eventually, her site was hacked, and it stopped functioning entirely. When she turned to her budget hosting vendor for help, she was met with a cold reality: they wouldn’t fix it. She was on her own, facing the prospect of rebuilding her entire digital identity at her own expense.
The Bizography Rescue
Gloria called us back, and we immediately went to work. Our team:
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- Cleaned the site of all viruses and malicious code.
- Updated all plugins to their most secure versions.
- Migrated the site back to our secure, managed hosting environment.
Why the Distinction Matters
The difference between a web designer and a web design firm like Bizography is the commitment to “Solutions that Work.” An individual designer might build you a beautiful site, but a firm provides the infrastructure, security, and ongoing support to ensure that site stays beautiful—and functional.