The technical debt of a project, a real obstacle for small businesses.
What is technical debt, and why does it concern you?
Technical debt can be seen as a financial debt incurred during the creation of a web project. When quick solutions are chosen, such as using unreliable plugins or creating features with technical shortcuts to save time, a debt accumulates that will need to be repaid later in the form of fixes, redesigns, or maintenance. These choices, often dictated by budgetary or time constraints, can backfire on the business in the long run. This phenomenon is inevitable in traditional projects:- Initial planning : Your project begins with the developer you have chosen. Your budget is limited, so you must make choices: prioritize what seems essential while leaving aside elements deemed less urgent. This approach, while effective in the short term, leaves blind spots that, over time, turn into major technical problems.
- Quick launches : Some business constraints involve deadlines during the creation phase. Key features must therefore be ready as quickly as possible. You are forced to prioritize speed over quality, leading to temporary or suboptimal solutions. These compromises often pose long-term problems and exacerbate technical debt.
- Lack of maintenance : Once online, the project is not always updated due to lack of resources or time. This can happen when maintenance costs seem too high or out of reach for some businesses. This situation often leads to short-term choices, but these initial savings can quickly lead to much more expensive problems to solve. However, choosing low-cost maintenance or neglecting it can quickly worsen technical debt, turning minor issues into major obstacles.
How to avoid technical debt?
For small businesses or those already struggling with a site, here are concrete strategies to avoid excessive technical debt:- Engage a qualified team :
- A good team of developers does not just deliver a functional site; they anticipate future needs to avoid costly fixes.
- Modern tools and optimized architecture ensure a sustainable site from the moment it goes live.
- Plan proactive maintenance :
- Establish a precise schedule for technical updates and continuous improvements. For example, this could include quarterly audits to identify weak areas, monthly updates of plugins or frameworks, and annual reviews to align site features with your strategic goals.
- Do not hesitate to invest in regular audits to detect potential flaws before they become critical.
- Adopt turnkey solutions :
- Choosing offers that include maintenance and upgrades ensures that the site remains efficient, even in the face of new technologies or market demands.
How much does traditional maintenance cost?
For a small business, investing in maintenance may seem like a significant expense, but it is a cost to anticipate to prevent the site from becoming obsolete:- Average hourly rate of a freelance developer : €50 to €100/hour, depending on skills and experience.
- Agency cost : €80 to €150/hour, often including multidisciplinary expertise.
- Time required : Basic maintenance may require between 10 and 20 hours per month, but this figure can increase if complex issues arise.
When is the right time to regulate this debt?
Maintenance, a continuous solution
Regular maintenance is a necessity to keep your site efficient and avoid massive long-term costs. It is a preventive approach that allows for quick corrections of anomalies and adapts the site to evolving technological standards. This involves:- Frequent updates to ensure security and compatibility.
- Constant performance monitoring to avoid slowdowns or breakdowns.
- Clear budget planning : invest gradually to avoid having to pay large sums all at once.
Redesigning your site: a solution sometimes more cost-effective
There comes a time when maintaining an old site costs more than creating a new one. Here are the signs that a redesign is necessary:- Maintenance costs are skyrocketing : each intervention takes more and more time and money.
- The site is no longer suited to current needs : lack of modern features or poor user experience.
- Performance is poor : a slow or outdated site can directly harm your revenue.
A redesign for a new identity
Your website is the reflection of your business on the Internet. If your activity evolves or your brand image changes, your site must follow suit:- An outdated site gives a bad impression : your customers might think your business is not modern or dynamic.
- A redesign can reposition your brand : it’s an opportunity to strengthen your credibility and attract new prospects.
- Take the opportunity to integrate new features : add functionalities or content that further enhance your business.
What does our redesign offer contain?
An all-in-one maintenance included
Our redesign offer includes a turnkey solution that meets the needs of small businesses:- Proactive maintenance : We take care of necessary updates and adjustments to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Secure hosting : Everything is included, from a high-performance server to the domain name.
- Automatic upgrades : Your site regularly benefits from new features that we develop for all our clients.
Your technical debt finally under control
Our methodology ensures that your site starts with almost no technical debt. We have designed a tool that continuously evolves, which means:- Constant improvements : Every new feature in our system benefits all our clients.
- No accumulation of additional debts : Our infrastructure guarantees long-term stability.
- An economical approach : You avoid unforeseen expenses related to major technical corrections.
A solution adapted to your data
If your website already handled a significant amount of data, you will need to transfer it to your new web tool. For this, we use a methodology that prioritizes low budget and simplicity:- Optimized transfer : We analyze the existing data to determine the most sensitive data to import first. This data will be available upon delivery of the site.
- Specific processing : If complex data also needs to be imported, we offer you two options to avoid constraints:
- Absolute priority : For a slight increase in billing, we can conceptualize the integration of this complex data into your site by proposing a custom module.
- Planning : New features are born every day in the application. If the one you are interested in is planned in the roadmap, then it is possible to wait for it to become available on its own so you can benefit from it without additional costs.
A tailored support
We understand that every business is unique. That’s why our approach includes:- A personalized support : We are here to answer your questions, advise you, and adjust our services to your needs.
- Total transparency : No hidden costs, everything is included in your subscription.
- Simplified tools : Manage your site independently with an intuitive interface.
Conclusion: Choose a redesign for a worry-free future
With our solution, forget about technical constraints and focus on what really matters: growing your business. Our redesign offer guarantees you:- A modern and efficient site, aligned with your goals.
- Total peace of mind, thanks to included maintenance and ongoing support.
- An intelligent investment, allowing you to save in the long run while benefiting from the latest innovations.
