Hackers have different goals when trying to break into sites. Some want to use the site they break into as a tool. Others want to cause chaos by simply breaking it or deleting it. While other hackers want to steal the information contained within. So what happens when a WordPress site gets hacked? It really depends. Your site might be riddled with malware that needs to be removed, you might lose access to the site or your domain + need to gain control back with the help of the companies…
How often should you blog? An honest answer for busy solopreneurs
Create another reel, do client work, check in with the accountant, ask for a testimonial, edit the latest newsletter, the list goes on. It can feel like adding even one more thing is enough to turn the bucket into a GD waterfall. When I’m asked how often should you blog, I know the question is usually slathered with a layer of please do not give me more shit to do. Why blogging matters I’ll start with a permission slip: you do not have to blog. That’s the reality. You don’t…
WordPress is the best site builder for small businesses
With all the options, it’s hard to know if WordPress is the best website builder for small businesses. From Squarespace to Showit to Wix + beyond, there’s no shortage of tools asking for your business — and your cash. I may be biased, but I have reasons to nudge folks away from each of these platforms back to WordPress. Because it’s going to be the best choice for 90% of the entrepreneurs wondering what the heck to build a site with. Squarespace vs WordPress Honestly, if there were any contenders…
Is my WordPress site secure? A simple yes or no checklist
Sometimes I log into a website + immediately wonder if it’s been hacked. Here’s the thing, most WordPress sites aren’t actually hacked… they’re just messy. It’s no wonder so many online business owners ask “is my WordPress site secure” when we have our initial chat. And this isn’t a judgement. If you watch any videos of our foster dogs playing, you’ll notice the toys everywhere + dog hair tumbleweeds that roll by 6.5 days of the week. Instead, I want to show you exactly what to look for to see…
What defines good WordPress hosting (3 things)
I started hosting WordPress websites in October of 2015. By the end of the year, I was managing 10 sites + still manage 9 of those 10 to this day… along with 72 more. Most site owners know that they need hosting (if you didn’t, now you do), but many don’t know what defines good WordPress hosting or what it actually protects you from. The annoying answer is that it depends. Yet there are some things that almost every WordPress site owner should look for in a good host. Where…
What is a WordPress maintenance plan + do you actually need one
The definition of maintenance is the upkeep of property or equipment + I think it’s a really simple way to explain something that can be as complicated as you want it to be. If you’re begging for the opposite of complicated, we’ll map out your exact steps together. Because a WordPress maintenance plan is really just a routine or a checklist that helps you to upkeep your website (property). And when you use your website as a tool or employee in your business, having a plan for upkeep is important….
When to stop DIYing your WordPress website (+ hire someone instead)
Like most things in business, you figured out your site on the fly. Your business needed a way to exist online, so you took care of it. When you realized it wasn’t a one + done thing, you kept watch with the guidance of Google. Now you find yourself wondering “should I hire someone to build my website” because your gut likely knows the answer.
What’s New in WordPress 6.9?
WordPress 6.9 introduces a number of improvements focused around my favorite site builder (Gutenberg), including new editing tools, collaboration features + more block functions. Which means, if you use Gutenberg to build pages or posts on your site, this update is worth paying attention to — but don’t update just yet. Before You Update WordPress Even though major WordPress releases go through extensive testing, it’s still smart to wait a tiny bit before updating your live site. Themes + plugins all interact differently with WordPress, which means bugs can still…
Stop using the Disable Gutenberg plugin
This might feel like a wild rant, but I promise it’s not. I’ve been cleaning up WordPress sites that I didn’t build for much of the year. Part of that process involves removing unnecessary plugins. There’s one plugin that I see over + over that I hate seeing… Disable Gutenberg. I’ll explain why + warn you about issues removing it, but first check to see if you have it. Log into your site + head to Plugins in the left hand menu. Scan for Disable Gutenberg + if it’s inactive,…