How do I maintain custom software after launch?

Custom software requires ongoing maintenance including: bug fixes, security updates, server monitoring, database backups, performance optimization, and feature enhancements based on user feedback.

Budget 15–20% of the initial build cost annually for maintenance. Some businesses handle this with an in-house developer, while others retain the agency that built it on a monthly maintenance agreement. Key maintenance tasks include: keeping dependencies updated, monitoring for security vulnerabilities, scaling infrastructure as usage grows, and iterating on features based on analytics and user feedback. Neglecting maintenance leads to security risks, performance degradation, and increasingly expensive fixes down the road.