WordPress has become the go-to platform for millions of websites worldwide. However, with great power comes great responsibility. As a WordPress user, it is imperative to be aware of potential pitfalls that can harm your website’s performance or even lead to its failure.
Part 1 of this two-part article series discussed some common pitfalls WordPress users should avoid in 2023 and beyond. The second part will continue to explore more mistakes you can make while using the platform.
1. Not Backing Up Your Website
Backing up your website is crucial for unforeseen events such as website crashes, server failures, or hacker attacks. Failure to backup your website can cause you to lose all your data and important files.
To avoid this mistake, always ensure that you have a backup system in place for your website. You can use plugins such as UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or VaultPress to automate your backups.
2. Using Outdated Plugins and Themes
Plugins and themes are like the building blocks of WordPress; they add functionality and design to your website. However, using outdated ones can cause your website to break, become vulnerable to security threats, and even slow down your website.
Stay up-to-date with the latest versions of your plugins and themes, as they are constantly being improved and updated to work better with the newest version of WordPress. Doing so ensures the website is secure, runs smoothly, and provides the best user experience.
3. Using Weak Passwords
One way for hackers to have unauthorized access to WordPress websites is through weak passwords. Using passwords such as “password” or “123456” is not secure and can easily be deciphered by hackers.
As a preventive measure, use strong passwords by combining numbers, letters, and symbols to ensure your website remains secure. For example, use a passphrase or a random string of characters that is at least 12 characters long. Also, avoid using the same password across different accounts and change your passwords regularly.
4. Not Securing Your Website with SSL
Secure Sockets Layer, or SSL, is a safety measure that encodes the information sent between a user’s web browser and the website’s server. It guarantees the secure transmission of data, stopping cybercriminals from capturing and misusing sensitive details like passwords and credit card numbers, among others.
With that said, incorporating SSL into your website is crucial. You can do this by purchasing an SSL certificate from a trusted provider and installing it on your website. This will not only enhance your website’s security but also increase user trust in your website.
5. Not Optimizing Your Images
As time goes on, images have played an instrumental role in enhancing the visual appeal of your website. However, failing to optimize your images can cause your website to load slowly, which can lead to high bounce rates.
Always make sure that you optimize your images properly and regularly. You can compress your images using plugins such as Smush, EWWW Image Optimizer, or ShortPixel.
Final Thoughts
To become an expert in WordPress, one must consistently learn and be patient, diligent, and attentive to details. With the help of the advice provided in this piece, you can prevent the usual mistakes committed by users on the platform and establish a thriving website that fulfills your commercial objectives while also delivering an enjoyable user interface.
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