Taking Care of Your Website
A website isn’t something that you just build and then forget about it. A website that is actually going to help your business grow over time is something that you always have to be working on.
For example, if you have a WordPress website, you have to run plugin, theme and WordPress core updates on a weekly basis so that you have all of the new available features and that your website is secure.
Plus, you also need to make sure that your content is fresh and up-to-date. Have you hired a new team member? Make sure that their information is on your team page, if you have once. Has your business moved locations or changed the hours of operation? Make sure that information is correct on your website so people know where and when to go.
So let’s discuss how you can take care of your website after it’s live.
Updating Your Website
One of the biggest things you’ll need to do with your website after it’s launched is to make sure that it stays updated.
No matter what type of website you create and what tools you use to build it, you’ll need to make sure the information is up-to-date. If you have a business that people can visit and move and don’t update that information, people are going to show up to the wrong place and you’ll lose business. So make sure when you make changes to your business that it’s reflected on your website.
And if you’re using something like WordPress, you have to run updates on all extensions and other tools so that the site continues to work and protects your site from security threats. And it can be a bit of a time-intensive process to make those updates and keep your website live.
So let’s talk more about how to make sure your website is always updated.
Securing Your Website Against Threats
Website security is crucial for any website that you build, and especially so if you’re hosting customer information, like an online store. There are just so many threats out there to contend with, and every website is a target.
The best thing you can do is make sure that your website is on a quality web host. These hosts will have the tools to help all of their sites be as secure as possible. Cheap web hosts can sometimes allow for hackers to get into one site on the host and affect others no matter what you do.
Also, make sure you’re using strong passwords. Passwords that are easy to guess are just asking to be figured out by bad actors. And where possible, use two-factor authentication to add in another layer of security.
If you’re using tools like WordPress, Drupal or Joomla, make sure that you’re updating your website. Those updates will periodically contain security patches that will make your website more secure.
And only use trusted tools on your website. If something seems sketchy, don’t use it. You’re probably right and avoiding it might make your life less miserable in the long run.
There are a lot more things you can do to make your website as secure as possible. But doing these things here will make your site more secure than the next one.
The Ultimate Guide to Securing Your Small Business WordPress Website
Security with your WordPress website is a tricky thing. But if you follow these steps, you can make your website as secure as possible.
Your best options for WordPress security plugins
Security is crucial for websites, and especially for WordPress websites. There are a lot of good options when it comes to securing your site too. So let’s dive into your best options for WordPress security plugins.
How to add HTTPS to your website
If you’re looking to secure your website, one of the first things you need to do is to get an SSL certificate and make sure you’re running with HTTPS. It’ll keep your users safe, and it’s pretty easy (and cheap) to set up.
Staying informed about web security
A couple of WordPress plugin-related security issues are not super uncommon in this landscape. But they serve a reminder that you have to stay on top of web security news to protect your site and users.
Two-factor authentication in WordPress
One of the weakest points of a WordPress website is the login. But with two-factor authentication, you can add an extra layer of security to that area. Here’s how.
Speeding Up Your Website
According to Trinity Insight, 37 percent of users will leave your website if it takes more than five seconds to load. And 70 percent of users say that site speed is an influence in making a purchasing decision.
So with that in mind, page speed is basically everything for your website. Think about it. Would you really stay on a website if it took forever to load? Probably not. If you came to the site via a Google search, you would probably go back to the search and pick a different website.
If your website is just as slow, other people are going to be doing the same thing. And that is going to kill your conversion rate. You’re going to be losing out potential clients and customers, and that’s before they even see something on your website. Needless to say, that’s not good.
Site speed might not be the only thing when it comes to converting people to be customers, but it is one of the first things that can turn people away if it’s not up to par.
How to Speed Up Your WordPress Website
How fast does your WordPress website load? Most likely it’s not loading as quickly as you would like it to. But the good news is that there are relatively easy ways for you speed up your WordPress website to give your visitors a much better experience. So today let’s take a look at some of…
What is Google PageSpeed Insights and why does it matter?
Your page loading time is extremely important in today’s web. And Google PageSpeed Insights helps you figure out the ways you can speed up your website right now.
Keeping your website speed quick without paying too much
Time is money. And if your website is taking a long time to load for viewers, that’s money you could be losing out on. So here are some ways to keep your site fast without paying tons of money.
Making Your Website Accessible to Everyone
Website accessibility is no longer an optional feature. It is a requirement for being on the internet today. You need to be making your website accessible.
A great place to start is by making sure all of your images have alternative text which describes what’s happening in the image. That way a user that can’t see the image (whether because of a disability or because the image just doesn’t load) knows that the image is.
Also, make sure that your headings have the correct structure. Be sure that a web page only has one level one heading and that your main subheadings are level two headings. And subheadings inside of those are level three headings and so on. This helps screen readers create a proper outline for their users.
Another thing you should do is make sure your colors (especially text and background colors) have the right color contrast. If there’s not enough contrast, people will not be able to read the text (and that goes for 20/20 users as well).
And finally, don’t just use simple tools that say they will do everything for you. The fact of the matter is that there is no one tool that will make your website instantly accessible. It’s a process, and one that you always have to be working at improving.
Is it a lot of work? Yes. But it’s important work. Because everyone — everyone — should be able to use your website no matter what technology they use to browse the web. Accessibility matters.
Why Website Accessibility Matters
Website accessibility isn’t something nice to have with your website. It’s absolutely a requirement these days. If people who use the keyboard or screen reader or something similar can’t use your website, then you have a bad website. So let’s talk accessibility. Because everyone — everyone — should be able to access your website.
Website Accessibility: Alternative Text
One of the most prevalent, but easiest accessibility fix is the use of alternative text for your images on the website. This HTML attribute helps screen readers describe the image to the viewer if they need it, and is a key part of website accessibility. So let’s learn about how you can add alternative text…
Website Accessibility: Headings
Another one of the most prevalent, but easiest accessibility fix is using the correct heading structure. Screen readers and other accessibility technologies use the heading structure to help their users find their way around the page. And using incorrect headings hinders them. So let’s learn about how you can make sure your heading structure is…
Website Accessibility: Color Contrast
Another fix you can make to your website is using the correct color contrast. This is something that’s geared more to web designers and developers that control the colors on the website more. But if you run a website, there’s a lesson in here for you. You should always make sure your text is readable.…
A look at some web accessibility guidelines
One common complaint from the Domino’s lawsuit is that there aren’t any guidelines. But it’s a misconception. There are accessibility guidelines that you can be following today.
Tools to test website accessibility
It’s always great to make sure your website is accessible for all users. But how can you see if your website is accessible? Here are some tools that can help you get started.
Six accessibility fixes you can make to your website today
Every website should be accessible to everyone. Yes, even yours. But it can be a tricky thing to get started. So here are some fixes you can check on your website.
Why your small business should avoid Accessibe
If you’ve done research about website accessibility, you’ve probably come across Accessibe. But as you’ll see, it does anything but make your website accessible.
Staying Up to Date with the News
You’re a busy person as a business owner. You’ve got a business to run, deals to make, customers to serve and a family to care for. There’s not a lot of time to stay up-to-date with web and tech news.
But when you have a website for your business, you really do need to stay up with the latest web news.
The web is an ever-changing thing. Technologies change. Search engines change how they rank websites. Web hosting companies come and go. Security risks come and go. And those have a drastic impact on your website and every other one out here.
So here’s why you should be staying up-to-date with web and tech news to help your website.
The importance of staying up-to-date with web, tech news
As a business owner, you don’t have a lot of time. So you might not stay up-to-date with the latest web and tech news. But if your business has a website, you should at least keep an eye on it.
Take that Next Step
Ready to help your business grow with an awesome new website? Or ready to get help managing your current website while you focus on running your business? Now is the time to get started! Click one of the links to the right to get started right now and get the help you need to help your business in this digital age.