How to maintain a wordpress website

Keep a scheduled backup:

Ensure backup is taken place regularly. If done manually I recommend setting a reminder on your calendar. Setting date on the first or last day of the month may makes it easier to remember. Even if backup is set on automated scheduled date, I still recommend checking the plugin regularly to ensure it is working properly. Having email to notify when automated scheduled backup have been done can also make the checking more convenient.

Themes and plugins maintenance:

To maintain themes and plugin, ensure it is updated regularly. Perhaps set a date to update it regularly such as quarterly period or yearly. Also, delete themes or plugins that is no longer used to keep the storage space minimal which helps website load quicker.

However, ensure you keep a second theme – preferably the initial default theme when starting your wordpress. This is because if your current theme has a code error that takes your website down, you will you a reliable theme to restore your website.

Check cPanel storage space:

When storage space is full you won’t be able to download any themes or plugins. When this does happen, check in your File Usage storage space in cPanel. It is usually located in a dashboard on the home page.

You can check on the Disk Usage to locate which files are taking up the space. Any file that us unused or not wanted can be deleted in the File Manager area. Some Disk Usage has links to take you to the location. I also suggest deleting unused plugins or themes (NB: leave second theme your main theme has code error).

How to check if it is safe to update PHP:

The first thing to do is to ensure all the themes and plugins are updated. I also suggest removing any plugins that is not used. Ensure you have a backup of your wordpress site saved and downloaded into another location. Then update the PHP. If website breaks down, then you can locate the cause of why it is broken down in the cPanel under (…)

How to update the PHP:

How to update WordPress:

What to do when website breaks down:

If your wordpress site breaks down, please read the What to do when WordPress site crash.