WordPress Issues: Can You Fix It Yourself?
WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that is popular among bloggers and other content creators. The platform offers an array of features that simplify website creation and allow non-developers to create unique and sophisticated websites with ease. However, as with any software or web-based service, there are a few hiccups that can creep up and mess with your content.
In this article, we’ll discuss some common WordPress issues that you might encounter and how you can fix them yourself. So, let’s get started.
The Main WordPress Issue: Security
Protecting your content and keeping your visitors safe online is of paramount importance, especially since your site is often a target for hackers and cybercriminals who want to steal and/or damage your content. In some cases, they will even try to trick you into revealing sensitive information.
In the WordPress community, there are two schools of thought when it comes to keeping your site secure: You either do nothing and hope for the best, or you take preventive measures to protect your site from attack. The first option is a bit of a false sense of security that can lead to problems later on. The second is the safe and sound way to go.
If you decide to take the security route, you will have to do two things: First, you will need to install a security plugin. Second, you will have to set up a good password to ensure that no one gets access to your content unless they know the right code. Beyond those two things, you are pretty much good to go. When it comes to keeping your visitors safe, WordPress does a good job as a platform.
Another Main Issue: Broken Links
Sometimes, when you are creating content for your website, you will include a link in the text that takes the reader to a different location on the web. However, sometimes, those links will be broken, resulting in a useless trip for your visitor. To avoid this, you can create a friendly email contact form for visitors to leave their contact details in case the link is not working. You can also choose to display a message to users when their links are broken.
In some cases, you might even want to choose to redirect the user to a safer and more appropriate location. For example, if you are promoting a hotel and the link takes the user to a sex-related site, you might want to redirect them to the hotel’s homepage and warn them that their device might be scanned by authorities if they continue to visit sex-related websites.
Yet Another Main Issue: Slow Loading Times
Even though modern browsers are designed to be more advanced and make websites load faster, sometimes, those websites are still a bit sluggish. This can be especially frustrating for web surfers who come back several times a day and expect a quick load time.
To ensure that your web surfers get the best experience, you can choose to host your content on a dedicated server, which will allow you to use caching techniques and other tools to decrease the loading time of your web pages. Using a caching plugin, such as WP-Super-Cache, will also help a lot.
On the other hand, if you are running a WordPress website on a shared hosting plan, you will have to deal with a maximum of five websites sharing the same bandwidth and speed. As a result, your site might not perform well and could even become unusable during peak hours. This is why the first option is usually not a good idea unless you are okay with the risk of having a slow website.
Not All WordPress Issues Are Created Equal
Although WordPress simplifies and automates many aspects of content creation, it doesn’t mean that all issues with the platform are fixable automatically. Sometimes, you will need to contact the developers to get their help. Unfortunately, not all developers are created equal, so you might have to do some research to find a reliable one.
Additionally, WordPress isn’t free from viruses and other harmful elements that can harm your content or slow down your website. For that reason, you will need to take extra steps to ensure that your site stays clean. The best way to do this is by installing a reputable security plugin and keeping your WordPress installation up to date.
WordPress Isn’t For Everyone
If you are reading this, chances are you are either a WordPress user yourself or someone who knows one and wants to learn more about the platform. WordPress is an amazing tool that can help you build a functional and beautiful website with ease, but it isn’t for everyone. In fact, it might not even be the right tool for you.
For example, if your website needs to be accessible from anywhere and you don’t have the time to maintain it or update it regularly, then WordPress might not be the right fit. In that case, consider an alternative: SquareSpace. SquareSpace offers a simple and intuitive drag-and-drop web interface that allows you to build a website in a matter of minutes.
WordPress’ interface is more complex than SquareSpace’s, but the flexibility that the platform offers and the fact that it can be expanded with plugins makes up for it. If you are looking for a stable and simple way to create a website, then consider WordPress.
However, if you are looking for a way to showcase your creative talent, then consider an alternative: Blogger. Blogger’s interface is fairly basic and minimalistic, so instead of building a website, you will end up with a blog that you can update regularly. While this might not seem like a plus, it means that you can take your pick from the array of free blog templates that the platform offers. This might be a perfect fit for someone who is looking to showcase their creative side.
Choosing a CMS is a complex issue, and it depends on your specific needs and the kind of content you create. However, if you are looking for a simple and intuitive solution that will make creating content easier and faster, then WordPress is your best bet. It is a popular choice among content creators for a reason.