Author Archives: webdigital01

Introduction

Running a WordPress website comes with various challenges, from regular updates and security concerns to troubleshooting issues and maintaining performance. That’s where a WordPress support retainer service can be invaluable. A support retainer provides you with ongoing assistance and maintenance for your WordPress site, ensuring it remains secure, up-to-date, and optimised. In this blog post, we will explore ten key benefits of having a WordPress support retainer service.

Expert Technical Support

A WordPress support retainer service gives you access to a team of experienced professionals who specialise in WordPress. They can provide expert guidance and troubleshooting for any technical issues or challenges you may encounter.

Website Security

Keeping your WordPress site secure is crucial to protect your data and maintain your online reputation. A support retainer service includes regular security scans, malware detection, and implementation of security measures to keep your website safe from threats.

Regular Updates and Maintenance

WordPress releases regular updates for its core software, themes, and plugins. A support retainer service ensures that your website stays up-to-date with the latest versions, including critical security patches, bug fixes, and feature enhancements. It also covers routine maintenance tasks like database optimisation and performance monitoring.

Performance Optimisation

A slow-loading website can harm user experience and impact your search engine rankings. A support retainer service can optimise your site’s performance by fine-tuning server settings, caching mechanisms, image optimisation, and code optimisation techniques.

Plugin and Theme Management

With a WordPress support retainer, you’ll have experts handling your plugins and themes. They will assess the compatibility of new plugins, ensure your existing ones are updated, and troubleshoot any conflicts or performance issues caused by plugins or themes.

Backup and Disaster Recovery

Regular backups are essential to protect your website in the event of data loss or unforeseen circumstances. A support retainer service includes automated backups and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring that your website can be restored quickly if needed.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Assistance

Optimising your website for search engines is vital for improving its visibility and driving organic traffic. A support retainer service can provide guidance on SEO best practices, keyword research, meta tag optimisation, and content optimisation to help you achieve better search engine rankings.

Site Monitoring and Uptime Management

A support retainer service includes proactive monitoring of your website to detect any issues or downtime. It allows for timely resolution of potential problems before they impact your site’s performance or user experience.

Custom Development and Enhancements

Sometimes you may require custom functionality or enhancements for your WordPress site. A support retainer service often includes limited development hours, allowing you to request customisations, integrations, or new features as needed.

Peace of Mind and Time Savings

By outsourcing the maintenance and support tasks to a dedicated team, you can focus on your core business activities without worrying about the technical aspects of managing a WordPress site. This frees up your time and provides peace of mind, knowing that experts are taking care of your website.

Conclusion

A WordPress support retainer service offers numerous benefits, including expert technical support, enhanced security, regular updates and maintenance, performance optimisation, and assistance with SEO. It ensures that your website remains secure, up-to-date, and optimised for peak performance. By investing in a WordPress support retainer, you can save time, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most—growing your online presence and achieving your business goals.

If you’re ready to get started but need expert advice, reach out to our team at Web Digital today. We specialise in tailored WordPress websites that drive results and reflect your unique brand identity. Together, we’ll bring your vision to life.

Introduction

WordPress is a popular platform for building websites due to its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and extensive customisation options. If you’re considering building a WordPress website in New Zealand, it’s essential to understand the potential costs involved. In this blog post, we will explore the factors that influence the cost of building a WordPress website and provide you with a general idea of the expenses you can expect.

Website Design and Development

The cost of website design and development varies depending on the complexity of your project and the level of customisation required. Basic WordPress themes can be free or relatively inexpensive, while custom-designed themes or complex websites may require the expertise of a professional web designer or developer. In New Zealand, the cost of web design and development can range from NZD $1,500 to NZD $10,000 or more, depending on your specific requirements.

Domain Name and Hosting

To launch a WordPress website, you’ll need a domain name (e.g., www.yourwebsite.co.nz) and a hosting provider to store your website’s files and make it accessible online. The cost of a domain name typically ranges from NZD $20 to NZD $60 per year, depending on the domain extension (.com, .co.nz, .nz, etc.). Hosting plans can vary significantly, starting from around NZD $10 per month for shared hosting and going up to NZD $100 or more per month for a managed WordPress hosting with enhanced features and performance.

Plugins and Extensions

WordPress offers a vast library of free and premium plugins and extensions that can enhance your website’s functionality. While many plugins are free to use, some premium plugins may come with a cost. The price of premium plugins can vary widely, ranging from NZD $20 to several hundred dollars, depending on the plugin’s complexity and features.

Customisations and Integrations

If you require custom features, integrations with third-party services, or e-commerce functionality, additional development work may be necessary. The cost of customisations and integrations can vary based on the complexity and scope of the project. It’s best to consult with a web developer or agency to get an accurate estimate for your specific requirements.

Content Creation and Copywriting

Content creation, including writing and editing website copy, creating graphics, and sourcing imagery, is a crucial aspect of building a WordPress website. If you plan to outsource content creation or hire a professional copywriter, the cost will depend on the length and complexity of the content, as well as the expertise of the freelancer or agency.

Ongoing Maintenance and Support

Building a WordPress website is an ongoing process that requires regular updates, maintenance, and technical support. You may choose to handle these tasks yourself, or you can opt for a WordPress support retainer service that provides ongoing assistance and maintenance. The cost of ongoing maintenance and support can range from NZD $50 to NZD $500 per month, depending on the level of service and the size of your website.

Conclusion

The cost of building a WordPress website in New Zealand can vary significantly depending on various factors such as design complexity, customisations, plugins, content creation, and ongoing maintenance. It’s essential to carefully consider your specific requirements and budget when planning your website project. Working with a professional web developer or agency can help you navigate the process and provide accurate cost estimates based on your unique needs. Remember, building a successful website is an investment that can yield significant returns in terms of online presence, brand visibility, and business growth.

If you’re ready to get started and need expert advice, reach out to our team at Web Digital today. We specialise in tailored WordPress websites that drive results and reflect your unique brand identity. Together, we’ll bring your vision to life.

A 404 error page is a page that is displayed when a user tries to access a page that does not exist on your website. By default, WordPress will display a generic 404 error page, but you can customise this page to make it more informative and helpful for your users.

There are a few reasons why you might want to create a custom 404 error page. First, it can help to improve the user experience. When a user visits a page that does not exist, they are likely to be frustrated. A custom 404 error page can help to reduce this frustration by providing the user with some helpful information, such as links to other pages on your website or ways to contact you.

Second, a custom 404 error page can help to improve your search engine ranking. Search engines can penalise websites that have a high number of 404 errors. By creating a custom 404 error page, you can help to reduce the number of 404 errors on your website, which can improve your search engine ranking.

There are a few different ways to create a custom 404 error page in WordPress. You can use the built-in Theme Editor, a 404 page plugin, or a page builder plugin.

Using the Theme Editor

If you are using a custom theme, you can create a custom 404 error page by editing the theme’s 404.php file. This file is located in the /wp-content/themes/your_theme_name/ directory.

To edit the 404.php file, you will need to have access to your website’s files. You can do this by using a file transfer protocol (FTP) client or by using a WordPress hosting provider that offers a file manager in the dashboard.

Once you have opened the 404.php file in a text editor, you can start customising it. You can add text, images, and links to other pages on your website. You can also use the 404.php file to display a search bar or a contact form.

 

Using a 404 Page Plugin

There are a number of 404 page plugins available for WordPress. These plugins can make it easy to create a custom 404 error page without having to edit any code.
Some of the most popular 404 page plugins include:

• 404 page: This plugin allows you to create a custom 404 error page with a variety of different templates.
• Broken Link Checker: This plugin checks your website for broken links and displays a custom 404 error page for any pages that are not found.
• SeedProd: This plugin is a powerful page builder that can be used to create custom 404 error pages.

Using a Page Builder Plugin

If you are using a page builder plugin, such as Elementor or Beaver Builder, you can use this plugin to create a custom 404 error page. These plugins allow you to create custom pages by dragging and dropping blocks of content.

To create a custom 404 error page with a page builder plugin, you will need to create a new page and select the “404 Error Page” template. You can then add content to the page, such as text, images, and links to other pages on your website.

Once you have created your custom 404 error page, you will need to set it as the default 404 error page in WordPress. To do this, go to Appearance > 404 Error Page and select the page you created.

Tips for Creating a Custom 404 Error Page

Keep it simple: Don’t try to cram too much information onto your 404 error page. A simple page with a few helpful links is all you need.
Use clear and concise language: The text on your 404 error page should be easy to understand. Avoid using technical jargon or acronyms.
Use high-quality images: Images can help to make your 404 error page more visually appealing.
Make it easy to navigate: Include links to other pages on your WordPress website so that users can easily find what they are looking for.
Track your 404 errors: You can use Google Analytics to track the number of 404 errors that occur on your website. This information can help you to identify pages that are not being found by users and make improvements to your website.

By following these tips, you can create a custom 404 error page that is helpful and informative for your users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, customising your 404 page in WordPress is a valuable step towards improving user experience, maintaining brand consistency, and optimising your website’s performance. By following the perfect guide provided in this article, you now have the knowledge and tools to create an effective and engaging custom 404 page that will turn a potentially frustrating experience into a positive one for your visitors. Take action today and make your 404 page an asset to your website.

If you’re ready to get started and need expert advice, reach out to our team at Web Digital today. We specialise in tailored WordPress websites that drive results and reflect your unique brand identity. Together, we’ll bring your vision to life.

Introduction

WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) in the world, powering over 40% of all websites on the internet. However, its popularity also makes it a target for hackers. In this article, we’ll discuss some steps you can take to protect your WordPress website from hackers.

Choose a secure hosting provider

The first step in protecting your WordPress website is to choose a secure hosting provider. A good hosting provider will have measures in place to protect their servers from common attacks, such as DDoS attacks and malware. They will also keep their server software up to date and regularly scan for vulnerabilities.

When choosing a hosting provider, look for one that offers features such as a web application firewall (WAF), intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and regular backups.

Get a security plugin

A security plugin can help protect your WordPress website by adding an extra layer of protection. There are many security plugins available for WordPress, and they offer features such as malware scanning, firewall protection, and login security.

Some popular security plugins for WordPress include Wordfence, Sucuri, and iThemes Security. When choosing a security plugin, look for one that offers regular updates and has a good reputation in the WordPress community.

Choose a secure theme

The theme you use on your WordPress website can also affect its security. A poorly coded theme can introduce vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

When choosing a theme for your WordPress website, look for one that is regularly updated and has a good reputation in the WordPress community. You should also avoid using nulled or pirated themes, as they can contain hidden malware.

Keep WordPress updated

Keeping your WordPress core, plugins, and themes up to date is crucial for the security of your website. Updates often include security fixes for known vulnerabilities, so failing to update can leave your website open to attack.

You can update your WordPress core, plugins, and themes from the WordPress dashboard. It’s also a good idea to enable automatic updates for minor releases, which include security fixes.

Use secure login details

Using strong login details is important for the security of your WordPress website. A strong username and password combination can make it difficult for hackers to gain access to your website.

When choosing a username and password, avoid using common combinations such as “admin” and “password”. Instead, use a unique username and a strong password that includes a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Add two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to the login process by requiring users to provide two forms of identification when logging in. This can help prevent unauthorised access to your website even if your login details are compromised.

There are several plugins available for WordPress that allow you to add 2FA to your website. Some popular options include Google Authenticator, Authy, and Duo Security.

Disable file editing

By default, WordPress allows users with administrator privileges to edit theme and plugin files from within the WordPress dashboard. However, this feature can be exploited by hackers if they gain access to an administrator account.

To prevent this, you can disable file editing by adding the following line of code to your wp-config.php file:

define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);

This will remove the file editing feature from the WordPress dashboard.

Scan your website and computer

Regularly scanning your website and computer for malware can help you detect and remove any threats before they cause damage. There are several tools available that can help you scan your website for malware, including Sucuri SiteCheck and Wordfence.

You should also regularly scan your computer for malware using an antivirus program. This can help prevent malware from spreading from your computer to your website.

Add additional allow/deny rules via your .htaccess file

Your .htaccess file is a powerful tool that allows you to control access to your website at the server level. You can use it to add additional allow/deny rules that can help protect your website from common attacks.

For example, you can use the .htaccess file to block access to sensitive files such as wp-config.php or .htaccess itself. You can also use it to block access from specific IP addresses or ranges that are known to be associated with malicious activity.

Restrict login URLs to specific IP range(s)

Restricting access to your login URLs (such as wp-login.php) to specific IP range(s) can help prevent unauthorised access to your website. This means that only users with IP addresses within the specified range(s) will be able to access the login page.

You can restrict access to your login URLs using the .htaccess file or by using a plugin such as iThemes Security or WP Cerber.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many steps you can take to protect your WordPress website from hackers. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can help keep your website safe and secure. Remember to always keep your software up to date, use strong login details, and regularly scan your website and computer for malware. With these measures in place, you can help protect your WordPress website from hackers.

If you’re ready to get started and need expert advice, reach out to our team at Web Digital today. We specialise in tailored WordPress websites that drive results and reflect your unique brand identity. Together, we’ll bring your vision to life.