Website downtime doesn’t always mean there’s an issue with your website. Server maintenance is a normal occurrence that can possibly cause website downtime.
Why does downtime matter?
Website downtime = a loss in revenue. Think about it, if a potential customer visits your website and it’s down they can’t buy what you are selling or book your service. Not ideal!
Some downtime is to be expected, however, there are a few things you can do to minimise it.
Choose a reliable web host
With loads of web hosting providers to choose from, it’s important that you do your research.
Remember you get what you pay for so going for the cheapest web host could lead to issues.
Key things to look for:
- Storage
- Responsive customer service
- Can the server support the amount of traffic you are anticipating
- Read customer reviews
A good, reliable, Australian-based website host is something that we provide. Contact us for more information.
Regular website backups
The best way to backup your WordPress website is with plugins such as BackWPup, BackUpWordPress, UpdraftPlus, and our personal favourite – Duplicator Pro!
Be careful with themes and plugins
Theme or plugin updates may cause website downtime. If plugins are causing the problem my advice is to disable them, or if you need help get in touch with us.
Monitor your site uptime and downtime
The first thing you need to know when considering how to reduce your WordPress website’s downtime is just how much your site is affected by this issue. It may well be far more than you think.
Knowing when downtime is occurring is important. By monitoring availability, you will quickly know when your website is offline. You can then take quick action to ensure your site is not down for long.
There are a few tools you can use to monitor your site, a popular tool is Pingdom.
Pingdom monitors a variety of site metrics including speed, and uptime. You can set up alerts via a variety of channels, including email, SMS, mobile and even app notifications.
Website security is critical
A secure website acts as a deterrent to hackers. Along with installing a plugin, it’s important that:
- Your URL starts with HTTPS
- Your website should include a built in SSL/TLS certificate or you might be able to get a free SSL
- Redirect your WordPress site (including all pages) from HTTP to HTTPS.
- Implement CAPTCHA on forms your users fill out to ensure increased security.
- Inspect plugins and themes for possible compatibility errors and necessary updates
While website downtime may not be completely unavoidable, applying these tips will definitely reduce your downtime. If you would like some support with your website get in contact with us today.
