Attracting new customers is something most business owners are passionate about. Modern business owners realize that without an online presence, expanding their reach is difficult. The main thing you need to start building an online presence is a great looking website.
For years, the WordPress platform has provided business owners with the tools needed to build and maintain appealing websites. Nearly 40 percent of the websites on the Internet are powered by WordPress. Keeping your WordPress website running like a well-oiled machine will require maintenance.
Below are some signs you might notice when it is time to maintain your WordPress website.
1. Your Website is Significantly Slower
Making a good first impression on search engines and Internet users is something you should be adamant about. Your website is a representation of your small business, which is why you need to keep it running smoothly. When crawling a website, one of the first things the Google algorithm will consider is how fast it loads.
A slow-loading website can make it difficult to drive traffic to your domain. These loading issues are usually caused by things like:
- Coding errors
- Having too many plugins
- Problems with shared hosting
- Large image file sizes
If you notice that your WordPress website has significantly slowed down, then it is time to provide it with maintenance.
2. Search Engine Rank Has Taken a Nosedive
Generating leads with a WordPress website is only possible with the help of powerful search engines like Google. A website that is optimized for search engine success will receive a lot of organic traffic. Monitoring the amount of traffic a website receives can help you identify problems early on.
If your website’s search engine rank has taken a nosedive, this might be an indication that maintenance is needed. Lack of a responsive design, redirects and incorrect meta tags can be viewed as red flags by search engines like Google. If you’re unsure about how to correct these errors, working with professionals is a good idea.
3. Plugins Are Constantly Malfunctioning
One of the biggest benefits offered by WordPress websites is the plethora of plugins offered. Plugins are designed to make WordPress websites more functional and appealing. If you want to keep the plugins on your WordPress website working correctly, you need to realize the importance of updating them.
Failing to apply plugin updates can lead to these programs malfunctioning. If one or more of the plugins you have in place are malfunctioning, then it is time to provide your website with the proper maintenance.
4. Website Errors Are Happening Randomly
Dealing with website bugs and errors can be frustrating. Pages that won’t load properly and redirects can make keeping potential on your website impossible. If the number of website errors you encounter grows daily, it is time to take action. With proper maintenance, you can remove these errors and restore the functionality your website has lost.
If you’ve encountered any of the problems mentioned above, it is time to reach out to the team at Green Olive Tree for assistance.
