Maintaining Your WordPress Site in 5 Routine Steps

Step 1: Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins

• Regularly check for and apply updates to WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Updates not only introduce new features but also fix bugs and close security vulnerabilities.
• Set aside a specific time each week or month to perform these updates, ensuring you have a recent backup before proceeding.

Step 2: Back Up Your Site Regularly

• Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus to schedule automatic backups of your site’s files and database. This ensures you have a recent copy of your site that you can restore in case of data loss or hacking.
• Store backups in a secure, off-site location such as a cloud storage service to protect against server failures.

Step 3: Optimize Your Site’s Database

• Over time, your WordPress database can become cluttered with post revisions, trashed items, and transient options, potentially slowing down your site.
• Use a database optimization plugin or perform manual cleanups through phpMyAdmin. Be sure to backup your database before making any changes.

Step 4: Check for Broken Links and 404 Errors

• Broken links can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools or plugins to scan your site regularly for broken links and fix them promptly.
• Monitor 404 errors, which indicate that a page on your site cannot be found. Redirect these to relevant pages to improve navigation and retain visitors.

Step 5: Review Site Security and Performance

• Regularly review your site’s security measures to protect against new threats. This includes checking your site for malware, updating security plugins, and enforcing strong password policies.
• Use performance testing tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to identify areas of your site that can be optimized for speed. Implement recommended changes to ensure your site remains fast and accessible.