Manage Your WordPress Website Like a Pro

Keeping your WordPress website updated and fresh is essential for attracting visitors, improving search engine rankings, and ensuring a smooth user experience.

Many small business owners underestimate the importance of regular updates.

Google favors websites that update often with fresh content. Even the smallest of updates tells Google that your business is open and engaged. This can help maintain and improve your Google rankings over time.

Updating Your WordPress Website

Making quick updates and writing monthly blog posts is easier than you think!

I have some simple tips to help you manage your WordPress website like a pro.

1. Keep WordPress and Plugins Updated

An outdated WordPress installation or plugins can lead to security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Regularly updating them ensures your website stays secure and functions properly.

Use the “Update Now” button in your WordPress dashboard to update core software, themes, and plugins.
Consider enabling automatic updates for plugins and minor WordPress updates to save time.

Pro Tip:

Set a reminder to check for updates at least once a month.

2. Regularly Refresh Your Content

Fresh content keeps your audience engaged and coming back. It also tells search engines that your website is active. Here are a few ways to keep your content up-to-date:

Blog Posts: Publish new blog posts regularly or update existing ones with fresh insights and data.
Service Pages: Ensure your offerings and pricing are current.
Event Updates: Add upcoming events or promotions to your website.

Pro Tip:

Schedule a quarterly review of your website content so everything is accurate and relevant.

3. Optimize Images and Media

Large, unoptimized images can slow down your website, leading to a poor user experience and lower search rankings.

Regularly check your media library for outdated or unused images.
Replace old images with fresh visuals that reflect your current branding or products.

Pro Tip:

Use a tool like TinyPNG to compress images before uploading.

4. Monitor Your Website’s Performance

If your website is running slow or seems to be riddled with compatibility issues, your website can drive visitors away. Use tools to check your site’s performance and address any issues.

Use Google’s PageSpeed Insights to test loading speed.

Pro Tip:

Remove unused plugins or scripts to improve performance.

5. Website Backups

Backups are essential in case anything goes wrong!

I provide hosting for my clients and backups of their website are made every day. My client backups are stored in their individual control panels so I always have recent backups available.

Pro Tip:

Make sure your website host automatically runs backups of your website – daily.

6. Improve SEO With Simple Updates

I remind my clients of this often – SEO is not a one-time task. SEO is an ongoing effort.

Regularly updating your SEO settings can improve your website’s visibility on Google.
Ensure your content includes relevant keywords and has a clear structure.

Pro Tip:

Use an SEO plugin like Yoast or All in One SEO to update unique meta descriptions, page titles, and keywords.

7. Check Your Links

Broken links can harm your website’s credibility and SEO rankings. Regularly scan your website to find and fix broken links.

Pro Tip:

Use a plugin like Broken Link Checker to identify dead links.

8. Review Google Analytics and Search Console

Understanding how your website performs can help you make informed updates.

Check which pages are performing well and where visitors drop off.
Use Google Analytics to find poorly performing pages and fix them.

Pro Tip:

Use a WordPress analytics plugin to monitor traffic and behavior, right in your WordPress dashboard. (No need to login to Google Analytics when I want a quick view!)

Final Thoughts on Your WordPress Website

Managing your WordPress website doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

With these simple tips, you can keep your site secure, fresh, and engaging. By dedicating just a few hours each month, you’ll ensure your website remains a valuable asset for your business.