WordPress is one of the easiest platforms to use when creating and developing a website. However, there are still plenty of tripping points if you’re not careful where you tread.
One common sticking point concerns plugins. There are hundreds to choose from, each one focusing on a separate role. You should weed out and remove any plugins you don’t use, as this helps maintain a streamlined site. It’s sensible to try a few as you figure out what works best for you and for your site. Once you’re there, get rid of the ones you don’t like.
However, even when you’ve installed the plugins you want, the work doesn’t end there. Many reliable plugin developers issue regular updates. You’ll be notified of these inside your WordPress site. If you see that one or more require updating, do it straightaway. If you don’t, you may make your site more vulnerable than it needs to be.
If a developer realises their plugin has a vulnerability, they’ll work on releasing a patch – an update to the original plugin. Think of it as a plaster to protect dirt getting into a cut. If you don’t bother using the plaster, you could end up with an infected cut – or in this case, damage to your website.
If you find it hard to get time to perform these updates, along with regular updates to your WordPress site and its theme, you may benefit from taking out a WordPress Care Plan. Not only will these updates be taken care of, but you can also benefit from many other features, regardless of which plan you take out.
If you are serious about maintaining your website and your business to the highest levels, this is one of the safest and most efficient ways to do it.
Tristan Whittaker
Founder & Director, Infinity3
Tristan Whittaker is the founder and director of Infinity3, with more than 20 years of experience in web design, digital marketing and technology. He works with businesses across the UK to improve their online presence, generate more opportunities and make better use of digital tools, AI and automation.
Combining strong technical knowledge with a practical understanding of how businesses actually operate, Tristan has helped hundreds of organisations create better websites, improve their visibility and simplify the systems behind them. He’s particularly interested in finding sensible ways to use technology to solve real business problems, without unnecessary complexity or jargon.