Robert Lodi

As the flowers bloom and the birds chirp, the arrival of spring signifies a time for renewal and rejuvenation. Unless you are on the East Coast in which you are taking a daily guess on whether you need your snow shovel or rain boots. But it’s not just our homes that benefit from a thorough cleaning; our digital spaces, such as WordPress websites, also deserve some attention. Just as clutter can accumulate in our physical environments, digital clutter can bog down our websites, affecting performance, security, and user experience.

Spring cleaning your WordPress website isn’t just about tidying up; it’s about optimizing and revitalizing your online presence. Here are some essential tips to help you declutter and maintain your WordPress website this season:

1. Update Everything: Start by ensuring that your WordPress core, themes, and plugins are all up to date. Regular updates not only provide new features but also patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Remember to backup your website before performing any updates to avoid potential issues. If you are nervous about performing any sort of maintenance because you have put off doing any for such a long time that updating might potentially break your site entirely, we can surely help. 
2. Audit Your Plugins and Themes: Over time, you may have accumulated plugins and themes that you no longer use. Unused plugins and themes not only take up space but can also pose security risks by providing easy access points for hackers. Review your installed plugins and themes and remove any that are unnecessary or outdated. 
3. Optimize Images and Media: Large image and media files can slow down your website’s loading speed. Use image optimization tools or plugins to compress images without compromising quality. 
4. Clean Up Your Database: Your WordPress database can become cluttered over time with revisions, spam comments, and other unnecessary data. Use database optimization plugins to clean up unused data and improve database performance. Remember to back up your database before performing any optimization tasks, the goal is spring cleaning of the database, not a complete wipe.
5. Check for Broken Links: Broken links not only frustrate visitors but also harm your website’s SEO. Use a broken link checker plugin to scan your website for broken links and fix them promptly. Consider setting up automatic link monitoring to catch broken links as they occur.
6. Secure Your Website: Security should always be a top priority, not just for you but for any of the visitors or customers who visit your account. Ensure that your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins are regularly updated to patch any security vulnerabilities. Consider implementing additional security measures such as SSL certificates, two-factor authentication, and security plugins to protect your website from threats.
7. Review User Permissions: Regularly review user roles and permissions to ensure that only authorized users have access to your WordPress dashboard. Remove any inactive or unnecessary user accounts to reduce the risk of unauthorized access. I am sure we have all wanted to do this with our homes and physical spaces at some point too.
8. Backup Your Website: Regular backups are essential for disaster recovery. Schedule automated backups of your WordPress website, including files and databases, and store them securely offsite. In the event of a security breach or data loss, you can quickly restore your website to a previous state. It is recommended that you don’t always rely solely on the cloud for these sorts of backups. For an added lair of security consider investing in a physical hard drive that you can keep updated  and in a secure location– bonus points if you can REMEMBER the secure location.
9. Evaluate Your Content Strategy: Take this opportunity to assess your content strategy and make any necessary adjustments. Identify high-performing content and replicate its success. Remove outdated or irrelevant content and consider refreshing existing content to keep it relevant and engaging. This also might be a great time to rework your content into any marketing strategies that you might have, reminding your customers about the value that you provide. 

By following these spring cleaning tips, you can ensure that your WordPress website remains in top shape, providing an optimal experience for your visitors. Remember that website maintenance is an ongoing process, and most of these things can and should happen on a monthly basis. To make managing your site easier we offer a free download with a monthly checklist of maintenance you should run on your WordPress site.

If you are still needing help, feel free to schedule a consultation with us at anytime. 

“Mobile Browsing Overtakes Desktop Browsing” – a headline that we have seen time and time again within the land of websites. With it coming as a shock to none, since many social media platforms are the most visited sites on the internet, and only 21% of all social media traffic is being accessed from a desktop computer. 

When mobile browsing first became readily available – back when we started working with it – most mobile web use was sort of a last option/emergency while on the go. 

Today, it’s normal and every day. And the rest of the World Wide Web has been following close behind social sites, with an estimated 50% of all traffic to websites being from a mobile device. 

So how can your website be ready for mobile visitors?

The first thing to keep in mind when deciding the development and design of your website is that “mobile” doesn’t just mean a cell phone, and it doesn’t just mean the model of phone you have, either. These days developers have to take into consideration iPads, Amazon Fire, iPhones, Androids, and at least one person who still is hanging onto that BlackBerry phone for dear life. 

It used to be that we would take these different users into account by building multiple versions of the website. Anyone who remembers trying to check your Facebook in the early days of mobile internet might remember the prompt to use the mobile version of the website. 

These days, and for the last decade or so, we use “responsive web design” or a “Mobile First” design method. So what is responsive or mobile about it? A responsive design has aspects of the site such as layouts and grids that are fluid enough to allow for varying screen sizes. When you use a smaller screen, elements on the page adjust to fit or stack or otherwise adapt.

One of the best examples of this can be seen with images.

In the past when an image was placed on the website it was with the intent that a desktop browser would be accessing the site. But when a mobile user viewed the same site, the image would not resize to fit the user’s screen, meaning that certain content might not have been readable, menus might not function properly, and ultimately the user would have a negative experience. Boo.

At this point, we can build designs with flexible grids by adjusting sizes using flexible units such as percentages rather than more rigid units such as pixels or points. 

Okay, so why is this important?

Improved User Experience: Improving the website function of the user ensures that you are giving your website the best chance for the user to take further action such as purchasing from the site or converting them into a lead. If they are frustrated enough to leave without any further action, it is indicative of a low user experience.

SEO Boost: Google has been very open with the fact that they are looking for sites that are optimized for mobile to place higher in search results. Having a responsive website can mean the difference between being ranked first or fourth on the Google search results which can mean the world to a small business.

Future-Proofing (up to a point): At RPS we want our clients to have a website that will last. Having a responsive website means that even as new screen sizes come out, your website will be able to adapt, and will result in fewer major redesigns. Of course, this might change in the future – who knows how long it will be before we are optimizing websites for Neuralink (or SkyNet or who knows), but it is as future-proof as it can be for now. 

How do I know if my website is responsive?

There are a few steps someone can take to see if your website is responsive or designed for mobile. The quick way is to change your browser window size and see what happens. If elements shift and stack on a smaller screen, chances are it’s at least a little responsive.

Or you can book a consultation with us and we can test the site for you and give feedback. 

If you are ready for an updated website and want a site that is ready for your mobile visitors, you can book a call with us here: CALENDLY LINK

Safeguard Your Site: The Crucial Role of Regular WordPress Updates in Ensuring Security

As software evolves, and security issues are discovered, it becomes more important to keep your websites updated and current. In this post, we will talk about the role that regular WordPress updates play in safeguarding your site against potential threats and helping to ensure some better site security.

Understanding the WordPress Ecosystem:

Like Excel or Mario Kart or your phone OS – WordPress is software. And since WordPress powers millions of websites globally, it a prime target for cyber attacks. Its popularity attracts the attention of hackers looking for vulnerabilities to exploit and cause you trouble. As new security threats emerge, theme and plugin authors release updates that will help keep your WordPress site safe.

Patching Vulnerabilities:

One of the primary reasons for regular updates is the patching of vulnerabilities. The WordPress community actively monitors and addresses security issues, releasing updates that include fixes for known issues. By staying current with these updates, you are closing security holes and keeping your site and business safer.

Guarding Against Cyber Attacks:

Running an outdated version of WordPress is like leaving the front door of your website wide open for hackers. They often target known vulnerabilities in outdated software, attempting to gain access, inject malicious code, or even take control of your site. Regular updates help prevent this and generally reduce problems for everyone involved.

Enhancing Website Performance:

Beyond security, updates contribute to the overall performance and efficiency of your WordPress site. New versions can come with performance improvements, bug fixes, and optimizations that not only increase security but can also increase site performance.

Strengthening Plugin and Theme Security:

Plugins and themes, while necessary, can also introduce potential vulnerabilities. Most developers continually release updates to address security concerns and improve compatibility. Regularly updating your plugins and themes ensures that you benefit from these enhancements, reducing the risk of security breaches.

Automated Updates: A Prudent Approach, Sometimes:

If you have a new-ish WordPress site, consider enabling automated updates for your WordPress core, plugins, and themes. Automated updates ensure that your site remains protected without requiring personal intervention, reducing the window of vulnerability and minimizing the risk of missing an update. This is not totally fail-safe, but, worth considering especially if you only have a few plugins to manage. This is not perfect, and as your site ages, it may make sense to stop auto-updates. Much like how if you have an older model phone, and it auto-updates to the latest phone operating system – and things get weird.

Regular Backups: A Safety Net:

While updates are crucial, it’s wise to complement them with regular backups. In the event of an unforeseen issue during an update, having a recent backup allows you to quickly restore your site to a stable state, minimizing downtime and potential data loss. Some hosting companies provide backups, or there are third party plugins available that can link to Dropbox or Google Drive to store copies of your data.

Conclusion: Stay Aware, Stay Secure:

The internet and software that runs online is always changing, and hackers and bots get smarter and smarter. Keeping your WordPress site updated will help keep it safer and help close security holes and limit code vulnerabilities. Seriously – it is a lot easier to keep malicious code out of your site, than to remove it if it ever gets in!

One day, I am going to get my old barn finished and in theory move in some power tools. One thing I want a band saw. I’ve been looking on Marketplace and Craigslist and also at some new ones, pretending I have space to put one. 

That’s when I found this.

People, those are square root symbols. Or radicals, if you’re feeling particularly mathy.

Those are not check marks.

It’s 2024. There are unlimited fonts out there, and the tools to use them.

Fire up InDesign or Illustrator, or anything that has type controls. Open the Glyphs window.

Et Voilà. 

See if the font you’re using has a check mark, or, use a font that does, for wherever you need the checkmark. Minion Pro, Zapf Dingbats, Lucida Grande – all are common in the Mac/Adobe world, and all have checkmarks.

As does the free Google font Noto Sans Symbols 2. https://fonts.google.com/noto/specimen/Noto+Sans+Symbols+2

Even in Canva, if you can’t find the glyphs (I cannot find them in Canva!) you can go to a site like https://fsymbols.com, find a checkmark, and paste it right in your Canva file. 

So no need to be radical. Or square. Use proper checkmarks in your documents when you can. It’s easy! Ish.

It’s no secret that we’re being tracked.

But it is both amazing and scary how it works.

Earlier my wife texted me about the NYT Spelling Bee. 

She tried to make a word – peckable – that the game didn’t count as a word. (Sounds like a word. What do I know.)

So being both curious and a little miffed at missing out on a pangram (which she also found), she Googled it. 

And found something called Happy Hens Ultra Peckable Feed. And texted me the Happy Hen logo.

Later in the day, I opened Facebook.

And was presented with a giant post – not an ad, really, a timeline post – about Happy Hen feed.

I never searched for it. I didn’t click it. I don’t have any hens, though I do have a chicken coop.

Something out there tracking us knew someone on this IP address was looking at Happy Hen feed, and thought I’d like to know more about it. (I would not, at the moment.)

So be careful what you search for! And if you start seeing weird ads and posts – chances are someone on your network may be searching for those things even if you are not. Which is sort of creepy.

But at least if I ever do decide to fill up my chicken coop – I know what feed to get. I hear that it’s peckable!

Foundation issues can become a nightmare for homeowners, and also for WordPress site owners. 

Some website problems are easily repairable. A little spackle of SEO here, a fresh coat of paint on the whole plugin situation. Boom. 

But there can be some major issues that aren’t as easy as a trip to the Home Depot or an email to your web guy across town. Sometimes you just need to rebuild your site, from the foundation up. 

To help determine where exactly you are and what options you have to tackle your website improvement project, we have a few questions:

1. How old is your site? Was it built and launched before October 2018?

If your website is built on outdated technology or uses a non-responsive design that can’t be easily updated, starting fresh with modern tools and technologies may be the best choice. WordPress had big changes in November 2018 and not all older themes and builds still work well.

2. Have you had security or hacking problems?

Security isn’t something that can be glossed over or ignored without putting you or your customers at risk. If your site has been compromised or has serious security vulnerabilities, it may be safer for all of you to start fresh.

3. Do you want a new design anyway?

If you are looking to redesign, then also add on a rebuild. Because it is a lot cheaper and more efficient to rebuild in a new design than to try to keep the same design when rebuilding in a new platform.

4. How’s your SEO working for you?

If your website has been hit with severe SEO penalties and it is difficult to recover, starting a new site with a clean slate may be more effective than trying to get your site back on the map. New pages and urls can start fresh with proper SEO and Google indexing.

5. Can you scale up as needed?

Knowing your goals for the future and your site’s capabilities when it comes to meeting those goals is a must. If your site doesn’t allow for your business to grow, such as implementing e-commerce or adding complex features, starting new with a scalable platform can be a better choice.

6. Are you priced out of repairs?

If the cost of fixing your site is nearly as high as building a new one, it may make more sense to invest in a new site and take the opportunity to add updated security, fresh design, and any new features needed for your business and marketing.

7. Will your site meet your marketing and business needs?

If you have a well-defined vision for your marketing that significantly deviates from your current website, starting from scratch can often be a more efficient way to bring that to life. 

On the other hand, sometimes older sites can be fixed.

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There are a number of reasons why you might decide that a full rebuild wouldn’t be the best idea for your website at the moment, and often less severe issues can be managed by your friendly WordPress developer. 

Some areas to consider when looking at whether you can fix your website are the following:

1. If your content and SEO is in good shape

Updates to content and SEO are easily manageable without a full rebuild. Often SEO is a crucial part of your discoverability that takes time to build up in search engines, so to keep your results running it might be better to attempt to fix the site.

2. If your budget is limited

Budget constraints are often the biggest issue that website owners face when making a decision on keeping the existing website or starting from scratch. If you, like many others, have a budget that would not allow for a full rebuild of your older site, it is important to keep your website working and updated, and backed up, to help prolong its life.

3. If you have smaller issues that can be fixed. 

Broken links, outdated content, minor design flaws. All of these are minor fixes that a skilled developer can help you with, without a full rebuild.

4. If you have dedicated and established users

If you have an established user base who is already familiar with your site format and layout and you know might not be in favor of a drastic change in user experience (tip: most users are not in favor of drastic changes), it might be beneficial to keep the site you have, and also keep it maintained so it stays secure. 

5. If you want to keep your Historical Data*

If you have data, analytics, or content archived that you want to preserve, it is often better to fix your existing site and keep the data available.

6. If you need a brand refresh

If your brand changes or needs updating, it can often be implemented into your existing site, without a full rebuild. Colors, logos, and words/styles can live within the existing structure if the bones of the site are solid.

No matter where you are in your journey or your understanding of what goes into building a website, we are able to help look at all of the factors that will influence your site, your marketing budget, or your goals in the future. 

If you have an older site and you’d like to have it assessed for rebuild or update purposes, https://www.rockpixelscissors.com/free-site-evaluation/ we are happy to evaluate it for you and provide some recommendations and next steps.

*the Google update to G4 may already have removed your historical data if you haven’t archived it.