WordPress Maintenance
The Process of Keeping a WordPress Website Running Smoothly and Securely. It Involves Tasks Like Updating, Backing Up and Optimizing The Site.
WordPress Maintenance : A Must for Success
Regular Updates
- WordPress Core: Always keep WordPress updated to the latest version.
- Themes & Plugins: Update them regularly to avoid security vulnerabilities.
- PHP Version: Ensure your hosting runs on a supported PHP version (7.4 or higher).
Backups
- Automated Backups: Use plugins like UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, or Jetpack for scheduled backups.
- Offsite Storage: Store backups on Google Drive, Dropbox, or AWS.
- Manual Backups: Before major changes (updates, edits), take a manual backup.
Security
- Security Plugins: Install Wordfence, Sucuri, or iThemes Security.
- Limit Login Attempts: Prevent brute-force attacks.
- SSL Certificate: Ensure your site uses HTTPS (free via Let’s Encrypt).
Performance Optimization
- Caching Plugin: Use WP Rocket, W3 Total Cache, or LiteSpeed Cache.
- Image Optimization: Compress images with Smush, ShortPixel, or TinyPNG.
- Database Cleanup: Optimize with WP-Optimize or Advanced Database Cleaner.
Database Maintenance
- Clean Post Revisions, Spam Comments: Use plugins like WP-Sweep.
- Optimize Tables: Use phpMyAdmin or optimization plugins.
Broken Link & SEO Check
- Broken Links: Scan with Broken Link Checker.
- SEO Health: Use Yoast SEO or Rank Math for optimization.
User Management
- Assign proper user roles (Admin, Editor, Author).
- Remove inactive users.
Monthly Checklist
- Update WordPress, themes, plugins
- Run backups & verify restore process
- Scan for malware & vulnerabilities
- Optimize database & clean spam
- Test website speed (GTmetrix, PageSpeed Insights)
- Check for broken links & 404 errors