Monthly WordPress Maintenance Checklist

• Monitor Your Website’s Uptime
  Use tools like UptimeRobot or Pingdom to track uptime and ensure your website is accessible around the clock. A stable site builds trust and improves search engine rankings.

• Back-Up Your Website
  Perform regular backups to secure your data. Services like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy allow you to save copies on the cloud or external drives, safeguarding your site from unexpected failures.

• Perform Malware Scans
  Run malware scans using tools like Sucuri or Wordfence to detect and remove threats. Cybersecurity is critical to protecting sensitive customer information.

• Update WordPress Core, Plugins, and Themes
  Outdated software is a security risk. Update your WordPress core, plugins, and themes monthly to ensure compatibility and optimal performance.

• Clear Your Cache
  Empty your WordPress cache using plugins like W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache. This step improves loading speed, enhancing user experience and SEO performance.

• Delete Spam Comments
  Spam comments can harm your site’s credibility. Use plugins like Akismet Anti-Spam to detect and remove these automatically.

• Identify and Remove Broken Links
  Run tools like Broken Link Checker to identify dead links. Broken links frustrate users and harm SEO rankings.

• Replace Broken Images
  Check your media library for broken or outdated images. Replace them to ensure visual consistency and professionalism.

• Remove Unused Themes and Plugins
  Deactivate and delete unused plugins and themes to reduce clutter and improve website security.

• Test Browser and Device Compatibility
  Your website should perform well across all browsers and devices. Tools like BrowserStack can help identify compatibility issues.

• Check Google PageSpeed Insights
  Run a PageSpeed test to gauge your site’s loading speed. Address recommendations for optimization, such as compressing images or minifying CSS files.

• Fix 404 and PHP Errors
  Review error logs to identify and resolve 404 errors or PHP issues. A smooth user experience is vital for retaining visitors.

• Optimize Your Database
  Use database optimization plugins like WP-Optimize to clean up your database, ensuring fast and efficient performance.

• Review Security Logs
  Check your security plugin logs for suspicious activity. This proactive approach helps detect and block potential threats.

• Conduct a Content and SEO Audit
  Review your content for relevance and keyword optimization. Ensure titles, meta descriptions, and alt texts align with SEO best practices.

• Update Premium Licenses
  Ensure your premium plugins and themes have valid licenses. Expired licenses can leave your site vulnerable to attacks.

• Review and Update Legal Pages
  Check your About Us, Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy pages to ensure compliance with regulations and reflect your current business information.

• Test Contact Forms
  Verify all forms on your site are functioning correctly. Broken forms lead to missed opportunities.

• Disavow Toxic Links
  Use tools like Google Search Console to identify and disavow harmful backlinks that can impact your SEO.

• Send a Maintenance Report
  If you manage websites for clients, provide a detailed report outlining the tasks completed and any recommendations. Transparency builds trust and demonstrates value.

See WordPress Services at Software Systems.