Keeping Your Website Secure and Running Smoothly

A brand new website isn’t a “set it and forget it” thing. It’s the online face of your business, and it needs regular care. If you ignore maintenance, your site can slow down, become vulnerable to security threats, and even turn potential customers away. Keeping your website in great shape doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know to keep things running smoothly.

Keep Everything Updated

Your website’s plugins, themes, and core files need to stay updated at all times. The more plugins you have, the more often updates roll in. At West Cove Creative, we keep our tech stack lean to minimize unnecessary updates and make sure your site stays in great shape without extra bloat.

Monitor Website Performance

Run your site through Google PageSpeed Insights at least once a month to make sure it’s still running fast. A slow website can frustrate visitors and hurt your search rankings. Don’t let sluggish performance drive people away!

Implement Cloudflare for Security

If you haven’t set up Cloudflare yet, now is the time. It helps block spammy traffic and adds an extra layer of security with no downsides. We include this with every new website, redesign, or maintenance plan, so you don’t have to stress about it.

Backup Your Website Regularly

Backups are your safety net! If an update ever causes a conflict and breaks your site, a recent backup means you can restore everything quickly. Take daily or weekly backups.

Trust us, you’ll be glad you did if anything ever goes wrong.

Strengthen Website Security

For smaller sites, Wordfence is a solid free security option. If you need something stronger for a bigger site, Solid Security is a great alternative. Solid Security works in partnership with Patchstack which helps track WordPress vulnerabilities so you know immediately when to make those updates. And don’t forget about good password hygiene. Strong, unique passwords and a password manager will go a long way in keeping your site safe. Be careful who you give admin access to!

Conduct Regular Website Audits

Routine website audits help you catch potential issues before they become big problems. Make it a habit to:

• Check site speed
• Run security scans
• Review website analytics for unusual activity
• Verify who has access to your site
• Ensure passwords remain strong and secure

Avoid Costly Hacks

A hacked website can seriously hurt your business. Imagine a potential customer visiting your site and seeing gambling or adult ads instead of your services. Yikes. Staying on top of updates, security, and audits will help you avoid that nightmare.

Consider Professional Website Maintenance

Don’t want to deal with backups, updates, and security yourself? No problem! At West Cove Creative, we offer website maintenance services that keep everything in check. Plus, you’ll get a monthly report so you know exactly what’s been done behind the scenes.

Conclusion

Your website is a crucial part of your business, and keeping it well-maintained ensures it remains secure, fast, and reliable. By staying proactive with updates, security measures, and performance monitoring, you’ll prevent costly downtime and keep your online presence in top shape. Whether you choose to handle maintenance yourself or work with professionals, regular upkeep is essential for long-term success.