Are You Properly Maintaining Your WordPress Website?
If you run your own WordPress website or build sites for other people, I’m sure you’re familiar with the constant updates that are always popping up. WordPress developers are always coming out with new updates to keep up with the latest technology and security concerns. Updates apply to the WordPress core, your site theme and all the plugins on your site. If you don’t stay on top of these updates, it can lead to a lot of issues including, errors, slow loading time, and security vulnerabilities. Theres is also the possibility for the site to not load at all. You should be checking in on your site weekly or monthly at least. Here is a list of several things that need to be taken care of to keep your website in check:
1. Create Off-Site Backups
Before running any updates, you should always have a site backup. I’ve seen things go wrong too many times not to always have a working backup of a site. If you use any kind of Managed WordPress Hosting, you should be getting daily rotating backups for the last 30 days. Traditional shared hosting doesn’t always offer this service. You do not want to experience having a backup go wrong and not having a good working version of your site. One backup isn’t enough either. You should keep off-site backups, ideally in two locations so you will never be in a position where you loose your site completely.
2. Update WordPress
Every few weeks or months, WordPress rolls out a new version. Sometimes it’s a minor security update or performance issue and other times it’s a completely new version. It is really important to make sure the WordPress core is always up to date. If you’re using Managed WordPress Hosting, this is something that they will automatically update for you.
3. Update Plugins
All WordPress sites use plugins to add all sorts of different functionality. Your site uses at least a few plugins. Plugins extend the functionality of a WordPress website. As long as you’re using quality plugins, the developers will be working to keep them up-to-date with the latest version of WordPress. Many plugins are free, but there are a lot of good premium plugins that need a license to get current updates and support. If you like the plugin and want to make sure it keeps working, make sure you have proper licensing for these.
4. Update WordPress Theme
WordPress uses a Theme to control the look of your website. Developers of quality themes make sure their themes are compatible with newer versions of WordPress and plugins. They will address any bugs or other problems with previous versions. As with plugins, many themes are free, but if you have a premium theme make sure you keep the license current to receive updates and support.
5. Have a Plan for Site Issues
Anyone who uses WordPress will experience a problem with a site update or even a security breach sooner or later. If you site is hosted with Site Rockstar or any other quality hosting company, you can call a 24/7 emergency number to get basic troubleshooting help. From time to time you’ll have a bigger issue. Your site got hacked, a plugin or theme is no longer supported and needs replaced, etc. These are issues beyond basic troubleshooting. They will tell you to contact your web developer to address the issue. If you don’t have a web developer can find expert WordPress help over at Codeable.
6. Use Uptime Monitoring Service
It’s important to sign up for an uptime monitoring service. This keeps track of the performance of your site, uptime and downtime, alerts you if the site is down, and helps pinpoint when a problem occurred. There are many free uptime monitoring services out there including Uptime Robot.
Final Thoughts
These are the most important things to consider when keeping your WordPress website updated and maintained. If you’re not the DIY type or just don’t have time to do these things, sign up for a Website Care Plan like the ones I offer on SiteRockstar.com, or like the ones offered here on Monterey Premier, which will address everything mentioned above, plus a lot more! Sometimes it’s better to let someone else take care of the messy details for you so you can focus more on what you do best.
What steps are you going to take to make sure your WordPress website in good working order? Leave a comment below and let us know!
Anna Buzzelli is a Graphic Designer turned Web Developer. She’s a lifelong learner with a strong entrepreneurial spirit which makes her specialty of WordPress Website Maintenance the perfect fit!
