Before you build a WordPress website, or if you already have a WordPress powered website, you need to consider how you’re going to keep it safe from hackers. According to Dave Clements’ article, How To Change Your WordPress Database Prefix, “…WordPress powers about an eighth of the world’s websites…” That makes WordPress sites a very popular target for hackers.

As Clements points out, one of the easiest ways hackers can get into your WordPress site is by attacking your database. By default, all WordPress databases start with “wp_” as the prefix. If you don’t change the default prefix, hackers can easily determine where your database information is stored. Unless you make regular backups, which you really should do anyway, it can be very difficult to restore your site after it has been hacked.

How To Change Your WordPress Database Prefix provides step-by-step instructions for changing your database’s prefix, including infographics. The article also shows exactly what you have to do to reconfigure WordPress to read from the renamed database file. Clements’ advice is easy to follow and it could make the key difference between your site getting hacked or not getting hacked.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages works with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition. I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project. In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action. If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Sometimes there just are not enough hours in the day.  SEO is a full time job. If you are overwhelmed trying to keep up with building links, submitting to directories and/or creating SEO-friendly content for your website then it may be time to consider outsourcing some tasks so that you can focus on what you do best.

Fivver.com

• Fivver is a great place to find people willing to build links and submit your site to directories for only $5. There are also Fivvers who offer content creation for the same price, but it is a good idea to keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Check every Fivver’s Feedback Rating before you commit to hiring them for a job. Fivver is a great resource for simple tasks like link building and directory submissions, but not always the first place you want to go for quality content.

Elance.com

• Elance is a good resource to find qualified content writers and graphic designers at a reasonable price. You can also find CSS experts to help you with WordPress theme difficulties. Elance’s bidding system keeps prices competitive; however you need to thoroughly check out every provider’s feedback and client reviews before hiring them. It is also a good idea to see if they provide any samples of their work before you make a decision.

Freelancer.com

• Formerly GetAFreelancer.com, Freelancer is very similar to Elance. You post your job and service providers have the opportunity to bid on that job. You can also check their ratings, previous feedback as well as look at portfolio samples before you hire them.

You need to assess your budget before you hire a freelancer and compare rates to make sure you are getting a fair price. In the case of writers, it is a good idea to run their work through CopyScape to make sure their content isn’t repurposed from another website. Most freelancers are ethical and provide good work at a reasonable price, but there is always the possibility that you can run into someone that doesn’t play by the rules. Protect your website, and your reputation, by checking out any potential freelancer’s background as much as possible and verifying that the work they provide from you is original.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…I work with owners of service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.   I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.   In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.   If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling to get a free project based quote.

Hackers are an inevitable part of online life. Even Google has had their blog hacked. There is no guaranteed way to be certain your website will not be another victim.  However, sites built with WordPress have a better chance of withstanding attacks than others if you use extra recommended security features.

Pick a Strong Password and Username
Hackers know you can access a WordPress site’s dashboard simply by going to mysite.com/wp-admin. If your user name and password are easy to guess, you are making a hacker’s life much easier.

• A good password should contain a mixture of upper and lowercase letters and it should also include numbers and/or special characters like !@#$ or %.

• Your password should be something easy for you to remember, but in no way connected to your name or website. A combination of unrelated things you like best works well. An example of a good password would be RacingDiving675$#.

• Avoid picking a generic user name like editor, moderator, admin or administrator.

• Do not use your real name as your user name and don’t use the same name that your posts are displayed under. Change your display name by going to the Users menu and editing it under Your Profile

Plug-ins
Two recommended security plug-ins are:

• WordPress Firewall recognizes dangerous web requests and continually fights them off. It works invisibly in the background 24/7 without any need for monitoring.

• SecurePress Website Security Analyzer is free to download, but offers a plus version you have to pay for. According to its creators, the plug-in “…installs enough free features to get you started towards securing your site. The ability to see and record your attacks is an excellent starting point. The free reports and statistics available in the dashboard help you to better understand the level and magnitude of these attacks.”

• You can find more plug-ins via WordPress’s Plug-In Directory. Common search terms are: security, bots, hack, and protection.

Keep Things Updated
WordPress adds new features with every new version. You should update every time a new version becomes available.

• Outdated plug-in are the most frequent cause of WordPress security breaches. Check weekly for plug-in updates and download the latest versions. Use only the plug-ins you need and avoid extraneous ones like “Hello Dolly.”

There is no such thing as an invincible website, but if you make a conscious effort to keep your WordPress site secure, you are keeping it well armed for battle.

Chris Darling and Methodic Pages…

I work with service based businesses who struggle with getting search engine optimized websites to represent their business online and want to benefit from standing out from their local competition.

I bring you a rare talent that integrates overall site layout, presentation, and on-page SEO with every project.

In working with me, my clients receive an interactive, highly optimized website that lays the perfect foundation for any online marketing strategy you decide to put into action.

If any of this speaks to you or your online business goals contact Chris Darling at 302-504-4409 to get a free project based quote.

You have decided you need a website for either a personal web page or a small business.  But, where do you begin?  Would you prefer to “Do it Yourself” or hire a professional?  Do you want a complete content management system or a static, unchanging website?  My specialty is working with WordPress to design powerful websites using a content management system or even to create a basic static website.

If you were to come to me and ask for a 5 page static HTML website and were not interested in having me configure an advanced content management system complete with website promotion than I would most likely point you in the direction of another company that specializes in churning out template based websites fast and cheap. If you want something more, something that will grow with your business needs than keep reading.

I prefer using WordPress because it is flexible and expandable.  If you wanted to start with a basic static website for now and wait until you were ready to add other dynamic content such as customer relations management tools, ecommerce, or even membership functionality than WordPress is an excellent platform to build upon.

If you have the time, patience, and desire to create your own website than I encourage you to learn more about how to use WordPress for you Content Management System.  The blogging aspects can be used to boost website performance because active blogging content attracts traffic.  If you are not much for writing that is fine because you can still take advantage how WordPress helps to create a website highly optimized for search engines.

There are an endless amount of widgets and plug-ins available to give your website additional functions.  There are enough free options available for themes and extensions to help you get started with your website.  As your online business grows you can customize themes yourself or purchase one of many premium themes and plug-ins available for sale. But, if your business is keeping you extremely busy you might wish to outsource your website management to a professional such as myself.