Downtime can result from application bugs, expired certificates, DNS mistakes, resource exhaustion, hardware problems, or external service failures. Preparation can reduce the likelihood and impact of many incidents.

Maintenance

Apply security updates on a planned schedule and test major changes before production. Remove software that is no longer needed.

Monitor

Use uptime monitoring and, for important sites, test critical workflows such as forms or checkout.

Watch Resources

• Disk space
• Memory and CPU
• Application errors
• Scheduled tasks

Backups and Recovery

Back up files and databases, store copies separately, and test restoration. Document where DNS, hosting, logs, and provider contacts are located.