New to WordPress maintenance? Let’s demystify it!
You’ve just set up your WordPress site and basked in the joy of easy content creation. But then, the unexpected strikes.
First, it’s a plugin update, then another. Your theme needs an update too. Finally, the core WordPress software itself demands attention. An update goes awry, and errors crop up.
The thought of losing your valuable blog posts sends shivers down your spine. Hours of effort poured into crafting them! You’re determined not to be that hapless blogger seeking help to restore a crashed site. But where to begin with regular WordPress upkeep?
Here are some handy tips to streamline your WordPress maintenance:
Simplifying WordPress Maintenance from Day One
To maintain your WordPress site efficiently, you need the right tools and habits.
Tools and Tactics
Back Up Your Site: Use a reliable plugin like BackWPup for hassle-free backups. Set it up once and let it run seamlessly in the background. Watch the videos, and after all of the initial set-up, backing up your WordPress website will be as simple clicking a few buttons every so often.
Author(s): BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin
2.Database Cleanup: WP Optimize handles database clutter effortlessly. No more stale revisions or accumulated trash.
WP Optimize is a database cleanup tool that handles everything from removing stale post revisions to clearing out accumulated post trash.
(Additionally, add a note to yourself that you’ll want to regularly remove plugins that you no longer use when undergoing WordPress maintenance tasks.)
Author(s): TeamUpdraft, DavidAnderson
Current Version: 3.7.0
Last Updated: 22 October 2024
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance3.Indexing: Ensure your site is indexed on search engines like Google. Use tools like Screaming Frog SEO Spider for a deeper analysis.
If you want people to be able to find your website, you’ll need to ensure it’s indexed or listed in search engines like Google.
Doing something as simple as typing site:yoursite.com
into the Google search engine field is a quick way to check that your content is indexed and ready to be displayed to internet searchers.
A more advanced option is to use the free Screaming Frog SEO Spider Tool to analyze your website. This tool will identify broken links, discover duplicate content, and carry out a few other essential SEO-related tasks to help ensure your website delivers a positive user experience and is search engine friendly.
(Another task you can carry out is to search Google for some of the keywords you’re targeting in your content. This task can be carried out every so often, just to check up on your visibility in the search engines.)
4.Security Check: Detect malware early with tools like Sucuri Security. Prevention is better than a post-hack cleanup.
Scanning your WordPress blog for malware might not seem important now. However, it’s something you’ll wish you’d done the day after your site has been hacked or infected. You might not think that you’re a target for hackers, but malware has a life of its own and doesn’t care who you are.
The free Sucuri WordPress plugin can help you out with this essential maintenance task.
Current Version: 1.9.6
Last Updated: 23 October 2024
Sucuri Security – Auditing, Malware Scanner and Security Hardening5.Maintenance Mode: When making significant updates, switch to maintenance mode using plugins like WP Maintenance Mode. Keep your site offline temporarily for uninterrupted improvements.
wp-maintenance-mode.2.6.13.zip
Current Version: 2.6.13
Last Updated: 14 October 2024
LightStart – Maintenance Mode, Coming Soon and Landing Page Builder6.SEO Monitoring: Keep an eye on your SEO with plugins like Yoast SEO. Optimize content for better search engine visibility.
This essential WordPress maintenance task follows on from ensuring your website is indexed in the search engines. However, the task of website search engine optimization (SEO) is never finished.
Free WordPress plugins like Yoast SEO can make your life easier in this department. The plugin will scan your content and let you know which of your posts and pages could be better optimized for increased visibility in the search engines.
With Yoast SEO, your goal is to turn a red light to a green light. It only takes a few minutes per post and can ultimately result in vastly improved search engine rankings and more traffic for your WordPress website – something we all want!
Best Practices
- Set a Schedule: Use tools like Google Calendar to remind yourself of maintenance tasks. Keep a checklist handy for reference.
- Test Forms: Ensure forms like contact or order forms are functional by submitting test entries.
- Monitor Keywords: Keep track of keyword performance using tools like Google Analytics. Regular monitoring ensures continual improvement.
With the right tools and practices in place, WordPress maintenance becomes a breeze. A well-maintained site means fewer headaches and better experiences for both you and your visitors.