Have you had a website developed, only to notice months later, that things aren’t working as they should? You might be asking yourself: “Why is my site broken? Why is my site not working?” There are many reasons why this can happen, but the real question you should be asking is: Is my site being maintained?
Unfortunately, once a website is built, there’s no guarantee it will continue to perform as fast and seamlessly as when you first launched it. Why? Because in the digital world, technology is constantly evolving. Systems get upgraded, new features are introduced, security threats emerge, and if your website isn’t regularly updated and maintained, it’s only a matter of time before things start to go wrong.
Think of Your Website Like a Car
When you buy a brand-new car, it runs smoothly, delivering top performance. But if you continue to drive that car without regular oil changes, tyre rotations, or necessary services, what happens? Over time, the car begins to lose its performance, and eventually, it may even break down. Websites are very similar. If you neglect regular maintenance, your site will eventually slow down, develop issues, and even crash.
And just like your car, if your security system is outdated or lacking, hackers (like car thieves) can easily break in, stealing your data or leaving behind unwanted messes. A website without a robust security system is vulnerable to attacks, which can cause serious long-term damage to both your site and your business.
You may now be wondering: How do I keep my WordPress website running smoothly? How do I prevent it from crashing?
Here are some tips and tricks you can use to ensure your website stays in good health:
1. Keep Plugins, WordPress Core, and Themes Up to Date

One of the most common reasons websites break is outdated software. You need to keep your plugins, WordPress core, and themes regularly updated. If they become outdated, they may no longer be compatible with each other, leading to performance issues, slower loading times, and even security vulnerabilities.
Why do I need to update my plugins?
Updating your plugins ensures that they remain compatible with newer versions of WordPress and other plugins you have installed. This minimises the chances of conflicts and keeps your site running smoothly.
Pro Tip: Make sure you’re using plugins that are compatible with each other. Not all plugins work well together, and incompatible plugins can lead to serious issues like site crashes or broken functionality.
2. Ensure You Have a Security Plugin and Perform Regular Security Scans

In today’s digital landscape, security threats are constantly evolving. Installing security plugins like Wordfence or MalCare is a great first step, but you should also perform regular security scans. These tools monitor your site for suspicious activity, enhance your firewall, and ensure that hackers aren’t slipping in unnoticed.Why is security important for my site?
A lack of security can leave your site vulnerable to malware, data breaches, and even being blacklisted by search engines. Regular security checks can help you detect issues early before they cause major damage.
3. WordPress Website Broken? Optimise Your Databases and Clear Your Cache

Over time, your website’s database can become cluttered with unnecessary data, which can slow down your site’s performance. By optimising your database, you can remove overhead and bad entries, improving load times and overall efficiency. Caching solutions such as WP Rocket or WP Optimise can significantly enhance your site’s speed by clearing old cache files and optimising databases.
Why do I need caching and database optimisation?
Caching improves load times by temporarily storing data so it doesn’t need to be reloaded every time a visitor lands on your site. Meanwhile, database optimisation ensures your site runs smoothly by cleaning up unneeded data and reducing bloat.
4. Ensure Your Contact Forms Are Working

It’s important to check regularly that all your contact forms are functioning correctly. After all, one of the main purposes of having a website is to communicate with your customers. If visitors can’t reach you through your contact forms, you could be losing valuable business opportunities.Why aren’t my forms working?
This can happen for various reasons, such as updates to plugins or incompatibility issues. Ensuring these are regularly tested and functional is crucial.
5. Make Regular Backups of Your Website

Think of a backup like insurance for your website. If something goes wrong—whether it’s a server crash, a hack, or a bad plugin update—you can restore your site to a previous version. This ensures that your business is not down for long and that you won’t lose all your valuable content or customer data.
How often should I back up my website?
A good rule of thumb is to back up your site at least once a month. However, if your site changes frequently (new products, blog posts, etc.), you may want to back it up more regularly.
Can Website Maintenance Be Automated?
Some tasks, such as plugin updates and backups, can be automated. However, it’s always recommended to handle these manually to avoid potential issues. Automated updates can sometimes cause unexpected errors or conflicts with other software, leading to downtime or broken functionality.
Similarly, while backups can be automated, if they aren’t set up properly, they may fail to remove older versions, leading to server bloat. Constant backups without deleting outdated ones can quickly consume server space, or worse, the backup may miss critical files without manual intervention. Regularly reviewing your backup process ensures you can restore your website efficiently if something goes wrong.
Maintenance Isn’t Optional – It’s Vital

Without regular care, your website is bound to run into issues. Just as you wouldn’t expect your car to run smoothly without regular service, you can’t expect your website to function perfectly forever without routine maintenance. If you’re experiencing problems with your WordPress website, or simply want to prevent future issues, talk to your developer about setting up a monthly maintenance plan.
At Grindstone Advertising, we specialise in maintaining and optimising WordPress websites to keep them running smoothly. Are you having problems with your website? Contact us today and let’s get your site back to health