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5 Simple Steps About WordPress Website Maintenance You Can’t Afford to Miss

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Do you have a website for your business? Do you regularly maintain it? Are you checking its speed and functions from time to time? Maintaining your website is very important whether it is built in WordPress, Squarespace, or other platforms. In this article, we are going to talk about WordPress website maintenance. For people who are inexperienced in WordPress, it is very easy to overlook some simple steps to maintain your website. Stay with us as we dive into the 5 simple steps you can’t afford to miss about WordPress website maintenance. 5 Steps to Maintain Your WordPress Website 1. Scan all of your pages to make sure they load without errors. Website maintenance is more than just making sure it’s up and running. You need to make sure it’s working as well as possible, and that starts with getting into a routine of scanning all of your pages to make sure they load without errors. You’ll want to test this with multiple web browsers on different devices, so you can see how the page looks from different perspectives. Check for broken links. You might have content that has been moved or removed from your site, which means there will be links pointing to those pages that no longer exist. 2. Run a backup The next tip is to make sure you have a backup and recovery plan in place in case something goes wrong with your site. If there’s a bug or an issue with your website, then it needs to be fixed before it can affect your bottom line. Having a backup plan means that if something does go wrong with your site, then all of those important things—your products, page content, and customer data—are still safe and sound somewhere else! The best part about this is that it doesn’t take much time or effort on your part, so it’s worth making sure that this is done right away! 3. Update WordPress version, plugins, and themes Our third way to maintain your WordPress website is to keep your software up to date by running updates as often as possible. This will help keep your site safe from hackers who might try to exploit any security holes in your software. Review your themes and plugins regularly to make sure they’re up-to-date and in good working order. Updating them keeps them current with all the security fixes and new features. Check your settings and make sure they are still up-to-date with the latest version of WordPress and PHP. You may need to update some of these settings manually if the automatic updating fails or if you have a custom setup. 4. Add security to the website (if there’s nothing yet) Another step to maintaining your website is to install security updates when they become available for your WordPress version. You can find out when these updates are available by visiting the official WordPress website or checking the dashboard on your server. Use a firewall as well. Make sure that your WordPress installation is protected by a firewall at all times. If you don’t have one already, there are plenty of free options available that will do the job perfectly well! 5. Test and check all the functions  are working The final step is to make sure that all of your forms and functions are working properly. By ensuring that your forms work and are accessible, you can make sure that your site is being used as efficiently as possible. Go over all your contact forms—whether it’s a contact form on your website or an email address within an article or blog post. Make sure that these are working properly and can accept messages from external sources (like customers who want to get in touch with you). If there are any problems with them, fix them immediately so that people can reach out when they need help. How Much Does WordPress Website Maintenance Cost? Starting from $50 depending on the needs of your website. To know more, book a free discovery call with us HERE. Final Thoughts WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems in the world. Of course, with great power comes great responsibility. You need to know WordPress website maintenance if you want it to remain secure and perform well under heavy traffic loads. So, if you’re not sure how to do this, following these 5 simple steps to maintain your website will greatly help your website to be safe and running smoothly. Once you’ve performed all these steps correctly, you shouldn’t have any problem with your website’s performance. Other than doing regular maintenance, a great way to take your website to the next level is by making sure it loads fast for the visitors. Find out our tips and tricks to make your website load faster here: https://lnkd.in/g3P5iQEF

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Website Faster

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If you own a website, you know that speed is everything. It’s the difference between attracting more visitors and driving them away, being able to convert those visitors into customers, and having an SEO-friendly site that ranks high in search results. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to improve your site’s performance and make sure it loads quickly. In this article, we’ll take a look at three of the easiest ways to make your website faster:  1. Reduce the size of your images The number one thing you can do to make your website faster is to reduce the size of your images. This will help keep things snappy for users and help with load times. The larger the file size, the longer it takes for all those bits of data to download and display on your screen. So how do you reduce image size? You can start by making sure that all of your images are optimized for web viewing. This means that they should be at least 72 dpi (dots per inch) and no more than 1024×768 pixels in size. It also means that they should be JPEGs rather than GIFs or PNGs, since these types allow files to compress more efficiently than other formats do. To check how much an image weighs, right-click on it and select “Properties.” You’ll see a file size there. If it’s too large, try resizing it in an image editor like Photoshop or Paint. You can also use an online tool like TinyPNG to compress it down even further. 2. Use a Content Delivery System (CDN) A content delivery network (CDN) such as Cloudflare, is a system that stores copies of your website’s files on servers in different locations around the world so that users can access them from closer to their location. A CDN will typically reduce the time it takes for pages to load by 50% or more. A CDN is a crucial tool for any website with a global audience. It reduces latency and improves the user experience by improving page load times and reducing bandwidth consumption. 3. Cache your data with caching plugin Caching plugin uses a cache system to store a copy of your site’s static resources in memory so they don’t have to be reloaded every time they’re accessed (they’ll be served from memory instead). Caching plugins go through all of your website code and remove any information that isn’t necessary for displaying the content. This means that when someone visits your site, they won’t have to wait for all of those extra bits of information before seeing what’s important—they’ll just see the text and images right away!  The internet is a fast-moving place. If you want to stay competitive, your website must be fast, too. Hopefully, these 3 ways to make your website faster will help your website perform better as well. Additional Resources:

Website for Your Business: Do You Really Need It? This Will Help You Decide!

Website for Your Business

Before we dive into why you need a website for your business, here are a few questions for you; Do you only operate locally? Do you want to go global? Do you want to attract new customers? Do you sell something online? Does your business use social media platforms? Do you want to be found by search engines? Do you want your brand to be remembered and recognized? If you answered yes to at least one of the questions above, then you need a website for your business, even if it’s a one-page website in the beginning with limited features.  So, Why Do You Really Need a Website for Your Business? In this blog, we will break them down for you, one by one. 1. Businesses Are Now More Global Than Ever. Your business will be left behind if you don’t have a website. People want to buy from you, they just need to know that you exist!  If you have a website, people can find you and buy your products or services, in whatever location they may be. The internet has changed the way we live, work, and play.  It’s also changed the way we buy goods and services, engage with our government, and connect with each other.  It’s no longer enough to have a physical storefront or office; you need to be online if you want to survive in today’s economy. 2. A Website Gives You a Professional Presence. A good website is your 24/7 business card. A website is the first step in connecting with new customers and building your brand. Having a professional website designed to show off your work and showcase your team members and their skill sets gives potential clients an idea of what it would be like working with your team. This will help your business stand out in the crowd! 3. A Website Establishes Your Credibility.  Customers trust and prefer businesses that have websites more. When customers search for a product or service, they expect to find a company that has a website. A website establishes your credibility and trustworthiness, and it helps customers ultimately decide where to get the products or services they need. 4. A Website is Where You Can Be Most Transparent.  A website provides a place for you to post information about your company and its products and services, including contact information, hours of operation, and any other relevant facts about your business. You can also use the site to provide testimonials from past customers, as well as any additional information that may be helpful to potential clients. It can help your business stand out from competitors by providing information about your company, all in one place! 5. Potential customers can find you online. As a business owner, you’re probably aware that the internet is a powerful tool for connecting with customers.  A website is the first impression you make with your customers and it lets you tell your story. A website allows potential customers to get to know about what your business offers and decide whether or not they want to use your services. 6. A Website Can Present More Than What You Have Space for in Your Physical Store.  It’s much easier and cheaper to update than a physical store. You can add new products or change information about existing products with just a few clicks. You may think that having a physical store is the best way to market your business, but it’s not. By investing in a website, you can reach out to more customers. Plus, when you have a website you don’t have to worry about the cost of renting or getting a space anymore. With a website, it doesn’t matter where your clients are located—you can reach them anywhere in the world!  7. You Can Use Your Website to Earn More Money.  A website can also help you achieve more sales by improving conversions and reducing shopping cart abandonment. Do business with ease through your website. A well-designed, informative site will increase customer engagement, which will help you convert more visitors into customers. Once you decided that you really need a website for your business, here’s what you need to keep in mind your website should have: Takeaway: A website is essential to businesses today. If you don’t have one, you risk losing business to competitors.  A website is critical for establishing your business’ credibility. Customers expect businesses to have websites.  Customers trust and prefer businesses that have websites because they know that the business is serious about being in business. If you don’t have a website, it’s time to get one. If you already have one, it’s time to make sure it’s up-to-date and reflects your current look and feel.

Grow Your Business Using These 4 Simple Web Design Tips

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Did you know that nearly 75% of consumers judge a company’s credibility based on its website design? This fact highlights the importance of having a well-designed website to help grow your business. Every business owner starts from scratch and has a learning curve when it comes to online marketing. Your website is often the first point of contact with potential customers. Therefore, it must encourage visitors to take action, whether that’s making a purchase or reaching out for more information. By focusing on a few simple web design tips, you can significantly enhance your online presence and grow for your business. 1. User-Friendly is Google-Friendly When it comes to web design, simplicity is key. A user-friendly website is not only easier for your visitors to navigate, but it also signals to Google that your site is valuable. If users can quickly find what they’re looking for, they’re likely to spend more time on your site. This engagement is essential as Google rewards websites with higher rankings in search results. Create Intuitive Navigation Ensure that your website has a clear menu and easy-to-find links. This allows visitors to quickly access important pages, whether it’s your products, services, or contact information. A well-structured website will not only improve user experience but also increase your chances of converting visitors into customers. 2. Pick the Expert: Low Cost but Quality Finding the right web design expert can be a game-changer for your business. While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, remember that quality matters. A poorly designed website can result in lost sales, as visitors may leave in frustration if they can’t find what they need. Research and Compare Look for designers who have experience in creating user-friendly websites. Check their portfolios and client reviews to ensure they can deliver the quality you need. Sometimes, investing a little more upfront can lead to significant savings in the long run by preventing lost sales. 3. Easy to Use The ease of use of your website plays a crucial role in retaining visitors. When people arrive at your site, they should be able to find the information they need without digging through multiple pages. Highlight Key Information Place important content, such as contact details, product information, and testimonials, prominently on your homepage. Use headings, bullet points, and images to break up text and make it easier to digest. Remember, the goal is to encourage users to scroll and discover more about what you offer. 4. Mobile Matters In an era where mobile browsing is on the rise, having a mobile-friendly website is essential. Believe it or not, websites with engaging visuals and high-quality content can greatly influence buyers’ decisions. Optimize for Mobile Users Your website should look and function well on all devices, including smartphones and tablets. A responsive design adjusts to different screen sizes, ensuring a seamless experience for every visitor. Not only does this enhance user satisfaction, but it also boosts your SEO rankings, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites. Conclusion To grow your business online, implementing simple web design tips can make a significant difference. Remember that a user-friendly website is crucial for engaging visitors and converting them into customers. By choosing quality design, ensuring ease of use, and optimizing for mobile, you’ll set yourself up for success in the competitive digital landscape. Ready to revamp your website and grow your business? Start by implementing these web design tips today! For more expert advice on web design and digital marketing, check out resources from the American Marketing Association and Neil Patel. In summary, focusing on user-friendly design, selecting the right experts, providing easy access to information, and optimizing for mobile users are key strategies for creating an effective website. Embrace these tips, and watch your business thrive in the digital world!