There are many options for building your website. The most popular option is to use a Content Management System (CMS). This is an all-in-one platform that allows you to create, manage, and host your website without needing the coding knowledge of a web developer.
WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, HubSpot and Joomla are just a few examples of a CMS. Almost half of all websites are built using WordPress. Around 3% are built using Squarespace and around that same percentage use Wix or Joomla. The remainder use another CMS or are coded from scratch by a web developer.
I generally recommend building a self-hosted WordPress website. This is the best option for most people, and if your web designer decides they no longer want to manage your website, it will be easier to find someone to manage it for you.
Keeping your site secure, functional and optimized requires regular maintenance. Below is a guide outlining what’s typically involved in managing and maintaining a website on a month-to-month basis.
1. Software Updates
Keeping your WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated is crucial for both performance and security.
- WordPress Core Updates: Check for new WordPress versions and apply updates. It's best to do the updates manually instead of having it done automatically in case you run into issues after the update.
- Plugin Updates: Regularly update all plugins to their latest versions.
- Theme Updates: Update your active theme to avoid compatibility issues and vulnerabilities.
- Compatibility Testing: After every update, test your site to ensure there are no conflicts causing errors.
2. Website Backups
Regular backups ensure you can restore your website if anything goes wrong.
- Frequency: Back up your website at least weekly, and before performing updates.
- What to Back Up: Include the WordPress database, files, themes, plugins, and media library.
- Storage Location: Store backups both locally and on a cloud service for added security. Most hosting services offer backup solutions. There are also WordPress plugins available for this.
3. Security Checks
Safeguard your site from hackers, malware, and other vulnerabilities:
- Install a Security Plugin: Use plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri to scan your site for malware.
- Monitor Login Attempts: Set up alerts for suspicious login attempts. You can use a WordPress plugin such as Limit Login Attempts Reloaded for this purpose.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security for admin logins to your WordPress website..
- Review User Roles: Ensure permissions are applied correctly for all users.
4. Performance Optimization
Keep your website fast and efficient for an excellent user experience.
- Test Site Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix to analyze performance.
- Optimize Images: Compress large images to reduce load times.
- Cache Management: Ensure caching mechanisms are in place, using tools like WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache.
- Database Optimization: Clean up your database by removing unnecessary data such as spam comments or old revisions.
5. Content Management
Keep your content fresh and engaging to retain visitors and improve SEO.
- Publish New Content: Regularly add new blog posts, news updates or pages.
- Update Existing Content: Refresh older posts with updated information or better keywords.
- Check Formatting: Ensure images, headings, and links are working across devices.
6. SEO Management
Consistency in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) maintenance helps your site rank better on search engines.
- Audit SEO Performance: Use tools like Google Analytics or SEMrush to review keyword performance and traffic trends.
- Fix Broken Links: Check for and resolve any 404 errors or broken URLs.
- Optimize Metadata: Ensure titles, meta descriptions, and alt tags are compelling and keyword-rich. The Yoast WordPress plugin is one of the more popular WordPress plugins that makes it easier to improve your site SEO.
7. Monitoring Downtime and Performance
Ensure your site is always accessible:
- Downtime Alerts: Use uptime monitoring tools like UptimeRobot to be notified if your site goes down.
- Check Hosting Performance: Test your host’s reliability and response times.
- SSL Certificate Status: Verify that your SSL certificate is active for secure browsing.
8. User Experience and Accessibility
Enhance visitor interaction by optimizing design and functionality.
- Test Navigation: Ensure all menu items, links, and buttons are working correctly.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Check that your site displays well on mobile devices.
- Accessibility Compliance: Review your site for compliance with accessibility standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
9. Analytics and Reporting
Track your website’s performance to make informed decisions.
- Analyze Traffic Metrics: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor user demographics, traffic sources, and behavior.
- Track Goals and Conversions: Set and analyze key goals like newsletter sign-ups or purchases.
- Review Bounce Rates: Identify pages where visitors leave quickly and make improvements.
10. Customer Interaction
For businesses, maintaining communication with your audience is important.
- Respond to Comments: Monitor and reply to comments on blog posts. Mark any unwanted comments as Spam.
- Email Marketing Integration: Ensure email campaigns and forms are working correctly.
- Feedback Forms: Regularly test contact forms and ensure inquiries are being delivered to the right inbox.
Bonus Tips for Long-Term Health
- Audit Plugins and Themes: Remove any unused plugins or themes to reduce bloat and vulnerabilities.
- Legal Compliance: Keep privacy policies and cookie consent banners up to date. Use a plugin such as Complianz for GDPR/CCPA Cookie Consent. There are others, so you may want to test a couple to find one you like.
- Plan for Growth: Consult your hosting provider to ensure your plan can handle increasing traffic as your site grows.
Final Thoughts
Managing a WordPress website month-to-month might seem overwhelming at first, but these tasks ensure your site runs smoothly, secures your data, and delivers an excellent experience for your visitors.
By dedicating time each month to the checklist above, you’ll not only keep your website in great shape but also provide a great user experience for anyone visiting your website.
Best,
Mike Coleman