If you've ever hired a developer for a fixed-scope project, you probably know the drill: the brief locks in, the deadline looms, and any tweaks feel like pulling teeth—or pulling out your wallet again. That model can work, but it's often too rigid for the real world.

That’s why many of my long-term clients choose a consulting relationship instead. It’s less about ticking boxes, more about ongoing progress. You get flexibility, input, and a partner who sticks around to help your website grow with your business.

After 20+ years building and maintaining WordPress sites, I've seen it all. The panicked phone calls, the "my site's down and I have no idea why" emails, and the costly emergency fixes that could have been prevented with proper maintenance.

Your WordPress site is constantly trying to tell you something. The question is: are you listening?

Here are the five critical warning signs I see most often - and the real-world consequences of ignoring them.

Most WordPress speed guides tell you "you have too many plugins" or to "install WP Rocket and compress images." That's like telling someone to "eat less and exercise more" for weight loss - technically correct but missing the nuanced reality.

After 20+ years optimizing WordPress sites for clients from local Newcastle businesses to international eCommerce stores, I've learned that real speed optimization requires detective work, not just plugin installations.