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 and functional.
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. So, let’s fix it.
What security steps are often missed?
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:
- 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- Installing poorly coded or outdated plugins – Vet plugins carefully: check reviews, updates, and active installs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 2FA. I use the Solid Security plugin for most of my security measures, but you can use Wordfence, Google Authenticator, etc.
Backups are your website’s safety net
Imagine spending hours building your website and then losing everything in a split second.
Backups aren’t a luxury. They are your insurance policy.
- Don’t rely only on your host’s backups
- Use a dedicated backup plugin (UpdraftPlus, BlogVault). Again, I use SolidWP tools for mine and my client’s websites.
- Schedule automatic backups (daily or weekly)
- Store backups off-site (Google Drive, Dropbox, external cloud storage)
Maintenance Is Not Optional
Websites need regular TLC. Ignoring maintenance leads to:
- Outdated plugins & security vulnerabilities
- Broken features you won’t notice until it’s 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.
