How You Can Optimize WordPress and Make It More Secure
Millions of people are using self-hosted WordPress installs. It’s something that is very good to work with, as it’s a premier content management system. There are few content management software choices that have the same power and presence that WordPress has. You’ll find that this is a strong solution that will let you create a full website, or a blog. You can create nearly any type of website with the right plugins, themes, and more. Once you install WordPress, you’re going to want to follow a few tips to maintain the security, and updates that are released by this essential software solution. The following are just some of the simplest of tips to remember moving forward.
The First step is to find a WordPress Hosting company. If you’re looking for a new web host for your WordPress site check out our Best WordPress Hosting providers in 2017 voted on by our users.
Update Plugins Often
The first thing that you should do is update the plugins that are within the WordPress install you’re using. Every new install has a few plugins that come with it, and need updating. Always make sure that you update plugins because the code could leave your site vulnerable to hackers. If you do not update your plugins, you will end up losing security, and could find your site is sluggish.
Upgrade or Update Themes
Whenever you’re using WordPress, make sure that you upgrade and update themes. You absolutely need to have the most up to date themes because the code is going to help you lock down your website. Your website will be well protected against hacking, and malicious code if you update your themes. When themes are updated, they are more secure, they work with the latest plugins, widgets, and more. Your site will also load faster, and easier.
Remove Plugins That Do Not Work or Are Not Updated
From time to time, check to see if the plugins that you’ve installed work. Turn them on and off and see how your site changes. If you notice that your WordPress install is starting to be sluggish, or it doesn’t work well with the plugins that you have, you may have dead plugin solutions. You need to update them, or remove them completely. Do not let old plugins stay, especially if they aren’t working. You have to double check if they are in fact doing what they are supposed to do.
Optimize WordPress with Caching Plugins
Moving forward, you need to look into cache plugins. This is something that is going to help you gain the upper hand with loading your website. WordPress is fast, but it can be slowed down by the content that you are going to post. Even if you are posting small snippets, and working with strong coding, you can still have a page that is very slow. Use cache plugins to speed up your site, and deliver a better experience for anyone that visits your page. Doing so will help you gain the upper hand, and have a solid push forward within your web publishing.
W3 Total Cache is probably the most popular WordPress caching plugin and one that we’ve personally tested. It’s simply to use and can speed up your website significantly with little to no effort.
Utilize Strong Passwords
Change your passwords often. Having strong passwords will help thwart hackers from taking over your website, and allow your WordPress to be secure. You need security online, especially with so many pages getting hacked and taken over because of weak passwords. Change your passwords, and make sure that they include alphanumeric solutions. You need to have several different capitalized letters, numbers, and non-consecutive digits. That will help you protect your website, and WordPress install.
Lock Older Comment Threads
If you want to secure your website, you will need to lock old comment threads. There is a default in WordPress that locks old posts, but you can adjust that to have older sections locked. You can lock them after 14 days, 30 days, or even 45 days. You get to pick when you are locking threads. Do not leave these open. Leaving your threads open will allow people to keep trying to overtake your forms, and submit information that is not conducive to your site’s security.
Update Your WordPress Software Often
WordPress gets a lot of different releases. Whenever there’s an update, make sure to upgrade to the latest solution. This is going to help your site remain secure, and stable. WordPress engineers publish new updates often, so that they tighten up security, improve functionality, and work with newer code structures for the web. Do not let your install go too long without updates. If you don’t update, your page can become vulnerable in a lot of different ways.
The essential tips mentioned above, you’re going to find that WordPress is a solid solution to work with. It can be secure, easy to work with, and help you build nearly any type of website.
