If you have a WordPress website, then you know that regular maintenance and upkeep is essential to keep it running smoothly. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the importance of WordPress website maintenance and providing a comprehensive how-to guide for maintaining your WordPress site. We’ll also discuss the types of services and support that can help you along the way. So let’s get started!
Backup Your Site
When it comes to website maintenance, the first and most important step is to back up your site. It’s crucial to regularly back up your site in case of any malicious activity or data loss due to hardware or software malfunction. With a full site backup, you can restore all the data of your site and get back online in no time.
Fortunately, WordPress makes this process quite easy. To start, you should log into your WordPress dashboard and download a plugin such as BackupBuddy or WP-DB-Backup. Once installed, these plugins can create a complete backup of your site and allow you to restore it with just a few clicks. You can even schedule automated backups to ensure that your site is always backed up.
For an extra layer of security, you should also save your backups on an external storage device or cloud services such as Dropbox or Google Drive. That way, if something happens to your hosting provider, you’ll still have access to all your files.
Finally, it’s a good idea to test your backups from time to time to make sure they are working properly. This is especially important if you use an automated backup system. By following these steps, you can make sure that your WordPress website is always backed up and protected against data loss or malicious activity.
Test all your WordPress Forms
WordPress forms are a critical component of your website, and you need to make sure that they are working correctly. Testing your WordPress forms should be part of your regular website maintenance routine. Here are some tips on how to test WordPress forms:
- Test the functionality – Start by testing all of the main elements of your forms, such as input fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, etc. Make sure that all of these elements are functioning properly and that users can easily interact with them.
- Check for responsiveness – Make sure that the forms are responsive and look good on all types of devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
- Test the submission process – Once users have filled in the forms and clicked “submit”, make sure that the data is being sent correctly to your database and is stored securely. Also, make sure that users are getting confirmation messages when they submit their forms.
- Check the email notifications – If you have set up email notifications to be sent when someone submits a form, make sure that they are being sent out correctly.
- Look for spam submissions – Keep an eye out for any spam submissions or malicious content coming through the forms. If you see any suspicious activity, you should take action to protect your site from security threats.
Regularly testing your WordPress forms will help ensure that your website is running smoothly and efficiently for your users. With the tips above, you can rest assured that your forms are up-to-date and secure. Additionally, there are several other essential steps to keep in mind during your WordPress website maintenance routine. It’s important to regularly back up your files, scan your system for malware, update plugins, review user roles and permissions, optimize images and videos, and monitor performance metrics.
All of these steps will help keep your WordPress website running smoothly and protected against potential threats. Furthermore, if any issues do arise during your website maintenance process, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible to resolve the problem quickly and effectively. By taking the proper steps to maintain your WordPress website, you’ll be able to ensure that it continues to run optimally for years to come.
Change all Passwords
It’s important to change all passwords associated with your WordPress site regularly. This includes the passwords for your user accounts, FTP access, database, and hosting account. This will help protect your site from any potential hacking attempts.
To change your passwords, start by logging into your WordPress admin dashboard. Navigate to ‘Users’ in the left-hand menu, then select ‘Your Profile’. You can then click ‘Generate Password’ to generate a new secure password. Once you’ve changed the password for each user, click ‘Update Profile’ to save the changes.
Next, log into your hosting account and change the FTP access password. If you have access to your database via phpMyAdmin, you can also change the password associated with that. Finally, if you have a separate hosting account, make sure to update the password for that too.
Remember to store all these passwords securely in a password manager. This will ensure that you always have quick access to them when needed. With all these passwords changed, you can be sure that your site is much better protected from potential malicious attacks.
Fix 404 errors & broken Links
If your WordPress website is displaying 404 errors or broken links, you need to take action. First and foremost, you should check your URL to ensure that it is correctly configured in the WordPress settings. This can be done by navigating to the Settings > Permalinks page within the WordPress dashboard.
You can also use a plugin such as Redirection to help manage any redirects. This will help make sure any visitors that come to your website with the old URLs are properly redirected to the correct page on your website.
If you are using a caching plugin, you may need to clear the cache after making changes to your website’s URLs. You should also check for any broken links by using an online tool such as Broken Link Checker. This will help you identify any links on your website that are broken, so you can take the necessary steps to fix them.
Finally, you should check the .htaccess file on your server to make sure it is properly configured. If this is not the case, you may need to contact your hosting provider or a web developer for assistance. By taking these steps, you can make sure that all of your website’s links are working properly and that no visitors will be presented with a 404 error page.
Optimize your WordPress Site Performance
Optimizing your WordPress site performance is essential to keeping your website running quickly and efficiently. There are a few things you can do to improve the performance of your website, such as:
- Minimize and combine scripts – reduce the number of scripts used on each page, and combine them into one file when possible. This will reduce the time it takes for the page to load, resulting in faster loading times.
- Optimize images – make sure that all of your images are optimized for web use before uploading them to your site. This means compressing them and adjusting the size so that they take up less space, resulting in faster page loading times.
- Use a caching plugin – caching plugins store a static version of your pages to reduce the amount of processing that is required when loading the page. This can drastically improve your page loading times.
- Use a content delivery network (CDN) – CDNs host static files such as images, videos, and CSS/JavaScript on their servers around the world to reduce latency and speed up page loading times.
- Keep plugins up-to-date – make sure that you keep all of your plugins up-to-date so that you can take advantage of any new features or bug fixes. Also, make sure to delete any plugins that you’re not using, as these can slow down your site significantly.
By following these steps, you can greatly improve the performance of your WordPress site and ensure that it loads quickly and efficiently.
Upgrade the WordPress Version
Keeping your WordPress version up to date is an important part of website maintenance. With each new release of WordPress, security patches, bug fixes, and new features are introduced. It’s important to stay on top of the latest releases to make sure your website is always running as securely and smoothly as possible.
When it comes time to upgrade your WordPress version, there are two main options available. You can either manually upgrade WordPress yourself or use a plugin like WP Engine Automate to do the work for you.
Manually Upgrading WordPress:
If you choose to manually upgrade your WordPress version, the first thing you’ll want to do is back up your website. This way, if something goes wrong during the upgrade process, you can easily restore your site to its previous state. Next, log into your WordPress dashboard and go to Dashboard > Updates to begin the update process. Click on the button to update WordPress and wait for the upgrade to finish. Once the upgrade is complete, be sure to test out all the features on your site to ensure everything is functioning properly.
Using WP Engine Automate:
For those who don’t want to take the time or effort to manually upgrade their WordPress version, WP Engine Automate is an excellent choice. The plugin allows you to set up automatic updates for your WordPress version, plugins, and themes. All you need to do is install the plugin and set up the settings. WP Engine Automate will then handle the rest, taking care of all your WordPress updates without any further input from you. No matter which method you choose to upgrade your WordPress version, it’s important that you stay on top of updates to keep your website secure and running smoothly.
Run your Site through Check-up Plugins
If you’re running a WordPress site, you need to run regular check-ups on your site to ensure it is secure and running properly. Check-up plugins can help you monitor your site for any security issues, broken links, or slow loading speeds. This can help you identify and fix any issues before they become major problems.
There are many WordPress check-up plugins available for free or for purchase. Some of the most popular check-up plugins include:
- WP Security Scan: This plugin scans your WordPress site for security vulnerabilities and alerts you when there are any potential risks. It also provides a detailed report of any issues that need to be addressed.
- Broken Link Checker: This plugin scans your site for broken links and then displays a list of those links. It also allows you to fix the broken links directly from the plugin.
- WP-Optimize: This plugin optimizes your WordPress site for better performance by compressing images and scripts, caching pages, and more. It also includes a range of optimization settings so you can customize how you want your website to be optimized. The plugin even provides an analytics dashboard that lets you track the performance of your website over time.
Finally, you may want to use a plugin to help with website backups. Backing up your website regularly is an essential part of website maintenance. It helps to ensure that all of your data and content remain safe in the event of an emergency. There are several plugins available for this purpose, such as UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy that allow you to quickly and easily back up your website with just a few clicks. With these plugins, you can also schedule regular backups so that your website is always protected.
How to Choose an Agency for WordPress Website Maintenance
Making sure your WordPress website is maintained and updated is essential for keeping your site running smoothly. But if you’re not a web developer yourself, how do you know who to trust? Here are some tips for finding the right agency to provide WordPress website maintenance services:
- Look for Expertise: Find an agency that has extensive knowledge and experience working with WordPress sites. They should have extensive expertise in all aspects of website maintenance, from coding and design to security and performance optimization.
- Check their Credentials: A good WordPress website maintenance provider should be certified by WordPress itself. Check for any industry certifications or awards that the agency may have received. This shows that they have invested in learning the latest WordPress updates and best practices.
- Consider Availability: Make sure the agency you choose has a reliable support system, so you can reach them when needed. Most reputable agencies offer 24/7 customer service, so you can get the help you need quickly and easily.
- Compare Prices: Different agencies may offer different pricing models. Some charge by the project, while others offer subscription packages. Compare prices and services offered to find the best deal for your budget.
- Ask for References: Ask for references from other clients who have used the agency’s WordPress website maintenance services. Speaking to other customers will give you insight into the agency’s work quality and customer service.
Choosing the right agency for your WordPress website maintenance can make all the difference in the performance and security of your website. Take your time to research different providers and select one that meets all of your needs.
Looking for WordPress Management Services?
If you’re looking for reliable WordPress management services to help you maintain your website. The best place to start is by researching the various providers available. You’ll want to ensure they are qualified and experienced in WordPress maintenance, as well as provide reliable customer support.
Here are some questions to ask when evaluating a potential provider:
- What type of WordPress maintenance services do they offer?
- What experience do they have in managing WordPress websites?
- Do they offer regular backups and updates?
- How often will their team monitor your site for security threats?
- Do they offer customized maintenance plans?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- Are there any additional fees associated with the service?
In addition to these questions, it’s important to read reviews from past clients and learn more about the provider’s customer service standards. This will help you get a better understanding of what you can expect from them.
Finally, when it comes to choosing a WordPress maintenance provider, it’s important to find one that is affordable, reliable and offers comprehensive support. Doing so will help ensure your website runs smoothly, remains secure, and keeps your visitors happy.
Final Thought
Regular WordPress website maintenance is a vital part of keeping your site secure, fast, and up-to-date. If you are unable to commit to regular maintenance on your own, consider hiring a WordPress management agency. That specializes in website maintenance services. These agencies will be able to provide expertise and experience to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly and efficiently. Proper maintenance will help improve the performance of your site, enhance user experience, and help protect your data. In the end, taking the necessary steps to keep your WordPress website healthy is essential for achieving success online.