Purpose of the article: The article aims to educate WordPress users about common pitfalls that can hinder their website’s success and provide practical solutions to overcome these challenges. It empowers readers to optimize their WordPress experience and create and maintain thriving websites.
Intended Audience: The purpose of the article “Navigating Your Newly Inherited WordPress Site: A Pro’s Guide to Seamless Management” is to provide a structured and actionable guide for individuals who have recently inherited a WordPress website. It aims to empower readers with the knowledge and steps needed to effectively take control of and manage their newly acquired WordPress sites, ensuring security, functionality, and optimization through systematic actions such as securing access, updating components, implementing security measures, conducting audits, and establishing a maintenance routine. The ultimate goal is to equip users with the necessary tools and strategies to successfully maintain and enhance their WordPress sites for long-term success and user satisfaction.
Tools and Technology: WordPress CMS.
Keywords: WordPress maintenance, Security vulnerabilities, SEO best practices, User roles, WordPress plugins, Permalink structure, Spam prevention, User role management, Website management strategies, Website security measures.
Inheriting a WordPress site comes with its own set of challenges. However, by following a structured approach, you can effectively maintain and enhance it. This guide outlines ten essential steps to help you master your inherited WordPress site, offering practical tips and actionable steps using both – the WordPress dashboard and WP-CLI.
1) Obtain Complete Access Details
The first step is to gather all necessary access credentials. This includes access to the WordPress admin panel, hosting account, domain registrar, and any third-party services associated with the site. Immediately change all passwords to secure the site.
Dashboard Method: Updating the WordPress Admin Password
1. Navigate to the Users section in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Select the user you wish to update.
3. Scroll down to the Account Management section and click on Generate Password.
4. Update the password and save the changes.
WP-CLI Method: Updating the WordPress Admin Password
wp user update 1 --user_pass=newpassword
Replace `1` with the user ID and `new password` with the new password.
2) Review and Update User Accounts
Review existing user accounts to eliminate unnecessary ones and update passwords for the remaining accounts. Make sure each user has the correct role and permissions.
Dashboard Method: Changing User Roles
- Navigate to the **Users** section in the dashboard.
- Choose a user to edit.
- Modify their role using the **Role** dropdown menu and save the changes.
WP-CLI Method: Changing User Roles
wp user update 1 --role=editor
Replace `1` with the user ID and `editor` with the desired role.
3) Create a Full Backup
Before making any changes, create a complete backup of the site, including the database and all files. Utilize reliable backup plugins and store the backup in multiple locations for added security.
Dashboard Method: Using Updraft Plus for Backups
- Install and activate the UpdraftPlus plugin.
- Go to **Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups**.
- Click on **Backup Now** and follow the prompts to create a complete backup.
WP-CLI Method: Creating a Backup
wp db export backup.sql
zip -r backup.zip wp-content
This command will generate an export of the database and compress the `wp-content` directory.
4) Update WordPress Core, Themes, and Plugins
Keeping the WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date is crucial for both security and functionality. Outdated components are common targets for security vulnerabilities.
Dashboard Method: Updating via Dashboard
- Navigate to the **Dashboard > Updates** section.
- Click **Update Now** to update the WordPress core.
- Select all plugins and themes that require updates and click **Update Plugins** or **Update Themes**.
WP-CLI Method: Updating Components
wp core update
wp plugin update --all
wp theme update --all
These commands will update the WordPress core, all plugins, and all themes.
5) Implement Security Measures
Install security plugins to safeguard your site against potential threats. Activate two-factor authentication for additional security and perform a security audit to detect and resolve vulnerabilities.
Dashboard Method: Using Word fence for Security
- Install and activate the Wordfence plugin.
- Go to **Wordfence > Dashboard**.
- Utilize the setup wizard to configure the fundamental security settings
WP-CLI Method: Installing Security Plugin
wp plugin install wordfence --activate
Then configure Wordfence settings via the dashboard.
6) Evaluate Themes and Plugins
Evaluate the current theme and plugins. Remove any that are unnecessary or inactive, as they can pose security risks and impact site performance.
Dashboard Method: Deactivating and Deleting Plugins
- Go to the **Plugins** section in the dashboard.
- Deactivate any unused plugins.
- Click on **Delete** to eliminate them from the site.
WP-CLI Method: Managing Plugins
wp plugin deactivate plugin-name
wp plugin delete plugin-name
Replace `plugin-name` with the actual plugin slug.
7) Conduct an SEO Audit
Utilize tools such as Google Search Console and third-party SEO tools to assess the site’s SEO status. Look for issues like broken links, duplicate content, and errors in meta tags.
WP-CLI Method: Installing SEO Plugin
wp plugin install wordpress-seo --activate
Then configure SEO settings via the dashboard.
8) Review Analytics
Examine the site’s performance using Google Analytics or other analytics tools. Understanding user behavior and site metrics will assist you in making informed decisions regarding content and functionality improvements.
Dashboard Method: Adding Google Analytics via a Plugin
- Install and activate the **MonsterInsights** plugin.
- Navigate to **Insights > Settings** and sign in with your Google account.
- Use the setup wizard to configure tracking.
WP-CLI Method: Installing Analytics Plugin**
wp plugin install google-analytics-for-
wordprees --activate
Then configure Google Analytics settings via the dashboard.
9) Check for Broken Links
Broken links can negatively impact user experience and SEO. Use tools like Broken Link Checker to find and fix any broken links on your website.
**Dashboard Method: Using Broken Link Checker Plugin**
- Install and activate the Broken Link Checker plugin.
- Go to **Tools > Broken Links** to view the report.
- Fix broken links directly from the plugin interface.
**WP-CLI Method: Installing Broken Link Checker Plugin**
wp plugin install broken-link-checker --activate
Check for broken links via the dashboard.
10) Establish a Maintenance Plan
Create a regular maintenance schedule that includes updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins, backing up the site, performing security scans, and monitoring site performance.
**Dashboard Method: Setting Up a Maintenance Schedule**
- Use a plugin like **WP Maintenance Mode** to schedule maintenance windows.
- Create a checklist for regular tasks:
– Weekly: Check for updates and backup the site.
– Monthly: Review security logs and perform SEO audits.
– Quarterly: Evaluate site performance and optimize the database.
**WP-CLI Method: Automating Maintenance Tasks**
Automate backups and updates using cron jobs on your server. For example:
# Adddd to crontab for weekly backups
0 3 * * 1 wp db export /path/to/backup.sql
# Add to crontab for daily updates
0 4 * * * wp core update; wp plugin update --all; wp theme update --all
Conclusion
Inheriting a WordPress site involves taking systematic steps to ensure its security, performance, and optimization. By following these ten essential steps, you can manage your inherited site effectively and keep it running smoothly. Implementing these practices will help you maintain a high-quality WordPress site that serves its users well.
Author Bio:
Sowjanya MULE
Software Engineer - Digital Transformation
As a Software Engineer at MOURI Tech, I have a deep passion for tackling intricate technical challenges and devising innovative solutions. I've also had the privilege of contributing to projects and am working closely with exceptional teams to push the boundaries of technological advancement. I have 3 years of experience in the tech industry, and my unwavering attention is towards simplifying the complexities and sharing valuable insights that empower fellow developers in their software development journey.
