When you think about your website, you probably focus a lot on how it looks. But behind the scenes, there’s a lot happening that keeps your site safe, functional, and protected.
Most DIY websites are just hanging around the internet without a safety net. No security measures. No backups. No maintenance routines. And that’s a recipe for disaster. Let’s fix it.
1. Security Steps Often Skipped
It’s easy to assume your website is too small to be a target for hackers or vulnerabilities. Spoiler: it doesn’t matter how big or small a website is. Hackers love easy.
Common mistakes and how to fix them:
- Keeping the default “admin” username – Change the default “admin” username to something unique
- Skipping updates for plugins and themes – Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated
- Installing poorly coded or outdated plugins – Vet plugins carefully: check reviews, updates, and active installs
- No two-factor authentication (2FA) – Enable two-factor authentication (Wordfence, Google Authenticator, etc.)
2. Backups: Your Website’s Safety Net
Imagine spending hours building your site… and losing everything in a split second.
Backups aren’t a luxury—they’re your insurance policy.
DIY backup must-knows:
- Don’t rely only on your host’s backups
- Use a dedicated backup plugin (UpdraftPlus, BlogVault)
- Schedule automatic backups (daily or weekly)
- Store backups off-site (Google Drive, Dropbox, external cloud storage)
3. Maintenance Is Not Optional
Websites need regular TLC to stay in peak condition. Ignoring maintenance leads to:
- Outdated plugins = security vulnerabilities
- Broken features you won’t notice until too late
- Performance issues that build up quietly
DIY monthly maintenance checklist:
- Update WordPress, plugins, and themes
- Run a full backup
- Test forms and key site functions
- Review site speed and performance
- Clean up spam comments and old revisions
Pro Tip: Proactive Is Cheaper Than Reactive
Fixing a hacked site or recovering a broken one will cost you more—in time, money, and stress—than staying on top of maintenance.
Not Into Tech Tasks? I Can Manage It for You
If you’d rather focus on your business and leave the website care to a pro, I offer Website Care Plans that keep your site secure, updated, and running smoothly.
