You are probably thinking, “What? There are only 5 Best Practices for Website Owners”?
Well, I had to pick a number and this certainly is a great start for you to protect yourself, get the most out of your site, and to be safe. Without further adieu, here are, the Top 5 Best Practices for Website Owners:
1. Make Sure Your Software is Up to Date.
When a new version of WordPress is released, there is a good chance that it fixes some security issues (technically this is called, “patching a vulnerability.”) so you should make sure that you are up to date with your software. This is true even if you are not using WordPress, but rather something like Joomla, Drupal, .asp, or any other web software.
Before you update your software, make sure you follow Best Practice #4!
2. Ensure You have Adequate Security in Place
It should not come to you as some NEWS FLASH but no ones normally wants to visit a website that has been hacked. There is no telling what you are going to get if you visit a site that has malware or spyware or a virus, or who knows what! The easiest way to do this is to ensure your site is secure.
A basic install of WordPress is NOT extremely secure. However, you can make is more secure by using security plugins and configuring them correctly. Make sure your file permissions are set
3. Protect the Access
Every once in a while you may have needed help with your website. You may have granted access to a consultant, a friend, a VA, or a support team member from software you are using. Are they still an Administrator on your website? Do they still have all that power to do what ever they want to do to your website? Check the users that have the Administrator role and decide if they still need to be there. If not, delete them!
4. Back Up Site on a Regular Basis
This one always strikes a chord for many people. A backup is your best insurance. And like insurance, some people hate to have to pay for it… so they don’t. When disaster hits, that is when the value of insurance (and a backup) really is noticed! You KNOW you need to be making a backup of your website on a regular basis.. Are you? If you need some assistance, give us a call – we can take care of not only backing up your sites, but making sure it is all up to date as well.
5. Keep Your Content Up To Date
Nothing look worse to your visitors than seeing dated content that is old. If someone visited your website right now, would they see new, up-to-date, relevant quality content? Or would they see something that was written a month or two ago? Does it look like your site is abandoned? No one likes to see old stuff when they come to your site, especially on your home page!
And what about your copyright date at the bottom of the screen (if you have one)? Are you at least displaying the current year?
Now that you have the Top 5 best Practices for a Website Owner, the next step to to ensure you are not making the 7 Biggest Mistakes People are making on their website! We hope you are not making them too!
