Stride Live Webinar Recap with Garrett Goldman, StateWP
Your website is often the first impression your business makes—and in today’s digital landscape, it needs to do more than just look good. It needs to be fast, secure, and trustworthy.
In our April 24 Stride Live session, we spoke with Garrett Goldman, Managing Partner at StateWP, about the connection between website performance and security—and why combining both is essential for visibility, growth, and long-term trust.
Here’s what Garrett shared—and what MSPs should be thinking about as they assess the health of their own websites.
A Common Misconception: Performance and Security Are Separate
According to Garrett, many MSPs treat website performance and security as separate checkboxes. One team handles site speed. Another team handles firewalls or backups. But in reality, these areas are deeply connected.
“Growth on a site isn’t going to happen if it’s slow or vulnerable. When you combine speed and security, the site becomes more optimized—for users and for search engines.”
In other words: your site can’t rank well, convert visitors, or support your brand if it isn’t running smoothly and securely.
A Secure, Fast Site Builds Trust—And Trust Builds Visibility
Google’s algorithm is increasingly driven by trust signals. If your site is flagged as risky, compromised by malware, or constantly down, your SEO rankings can suffer—even if your content is strong.
Some of the hidden risks Garrett mentioned include:
- Spammy redirects
- Injected malware links
- Outdated plugins and software
- Sites getting blacklisted without the owner knowing
“Even little things can destroy SEO over time,” Garrett warned.
Security doesn’t just protect your data—it protects your brand’s reputation and search visibility.
Performance Impacts Conversions—Not Just Rankings
Speed isn’t just an SEO factor. It also affects how long visitors stay on your site and whether they take action.
Garrett explained that fast, well-optimized sites:
- Load quickly across devices
- Convert more traffic into leads
- Reduce bounce rates
- Support marketing ROI
And it’s not just about speed in isolation. Caching, clean code, reliable hosting, and regular updates all play a role.
Your Website Is Never “Done”
One of the most important mindset shifts Garrett encouraged was this: your website isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing asset that requires care.
“A website is never done. It requires constant monitoring, constant updates.”
This includes both front-end updates (like content and design) and back-end infrastructure (like software patches, plugin audits, and security scans).
What Can MSPs Do Right Now?
If you’re not sure whether your site is truly optimized, Garrett suggested starting with a few simple questions:
- Is your site regularly monitored for downtime and suspicious activity?
- Are your plugins and CMS (like WordPress) kept up to date?
- Do you know your average load speed across desktop and mobile?
- Has your site been checked for malware or blacklisting?
- Are security and performance part of your monthly marketing reviews?
If the answer to any of these is “no” or “not sure,” it’s time to take a closer look.
A Strong Website Is a Strategic Advantage
For MSPs that rely on digital marketing, inbound leads, or even just strong brand credibility, your website needs to be more than a brochure. It needs to be fast, secure, and maintained with the same care you bring to your client work.
Combining performance and security isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a business investment.
🎥 Want to hear the full conversation with Garrett Goldman?
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This Stride Live Webinar is hosted by Stride Services. Stride is a comprehensive financial solutions provider, specializing in outsourced bookkeeping, accounting, tax, and advisory services for Managed Service Providers.
If you’re interested in being a featured guest on our Live Webinars or if there’s a subject matter expert you’d like us to interview, please let us know!
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Show Notes + Transcript:
Casey Seaborn: Email
Casey Seaborn: LinkedIn
Garrett Goldman: LinkedIn
