Picture this: You’ve spent hours building your website, sharing your services, and attracting clients. Then, one morning, you wake up to find it’s not loading, it’s been hacked, or—worse—you’ve lost everything. Sounds stressful, right? Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think.
The good news? Most website issues are preventable. In this blog, I’ll walk you through 5 common mistakes that leave websites vulnerable to security risks, downtime, and data loss—and, most importantly, I’ll show you how to fix them before it’s too late.
Let’s protect your website and keep your business running smoothly.
1. Ignoring Regular Updates
Your website relies on plugins, themes, and a core platform (like WordPress) to function. When these are out of date, they can become an easy target for hackers. Outdated software is the number one reason websites get hacked.
Why it matters:
Think of updates as patches that fix security holes. Ignoring them is like leaving the front door to your website wide open.
What you can do:
- Check for WordPress, theme, and plugin updates weekly.
- Always back up your site before installing updates, just in case something goes wrong.
Need an easier way?
With my WebCare Plans, I handle all updates for you—securely and stress-free. You don’t have to lift a finger, and your site stays protected.
2. Not Backing Up Your Website Regularly
If your website gets hacked, crashes, or something breaks, having a backup is your safety net. Without it, you could lose all your hard work, including pages, blogs, and client information.
Why it matters:
Restoring your website without a backup is expensive, time-consuming, and sometimes impossible.
What you can do:
- Set up automated backups using a reliable plugin or your hosting provider.
- Store backups in a safe, off-site location (like cloud storage).
- Test your backups regularly to ensure they work.
Too busy to manage this yourself?
I include regular, secure backups as part of my WebCare Plans, so you’re always covered.
3. Weak Passwords and Poor Login Security
You’d be surprised how many people still use “password123” or “admin” to log in to their websites. Hackers use tools that can guess weak passwords in seconds.
Why it matters:
A compromised password can give hackers full control of your site, leading to malware, stolen data, or your site being taken offline.
What you can do:
- Use strong, unique passwords for your website (and avoid reusing them elsewhere).
- Consider a password manager to keep track of complex passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for an added layer of security.
Not sure how secure your logins are?
As part of my Website Security Strengthening services, I’ll review and lock down your website to prevent unauthorised access.
4. Skipping Security Scans
Many website owners don’t realise their site has been hacked until it’s too late. Malware can hide in plain sight, harming your visitors, your SEO rankings, and your reputation.
Why it matters:
Malware can sit unnoticed for weeks or months, causing damage in the background. Once search engines like Google detect malware, they may block your site, making it inaccessible to visitors.
What you can do:
- Use security tools to scan your website regularly for malware and other vulnerabilities.
- Pay attention to any unusual activity, like unexpected pop-ups, slow performance, or unfamiliar files.
Need fast action?
If you suspect something’s wrong, my Malware Removal service quickly identifies and cleans any issues to get your site back to normal.
5. Thinking “It Won’t Happen to Me”
Many small business owners believe their websites aren’t big enough to be targeted by hackers. The truth? Hackers don’t discriminate—every website is a target, regardless of size or traffic.
Why it matters:
Cyberattacks are often automated. Hackers use tools that search the internet for vulnerable sites. If yours isn’t secure, it could easily end up on their list.
What you can do:
- Be proactive with website security.
- Prioritise updates, backups, and regular monitoring.
- Work with someone you trust to keep your website safe and secure.
A reassuring solution:
My WebCare Plans offer ongoing security, updates, and backups to keep your site safe. That way, you can focus on running your business without losing sleep over website worries.
Keep Your Website Safe With These Simple Steps
Website security doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By avoiding these 5 common mistakes—keeping your site updated, backing up regularly, using strong passwords, scanning for malware, and taking security seriously—you can protect your business, your clients, and your peace of mind.
You don’t have to do it alone.
If you’re ready to stop worrying about website security, I’m here to help.
Explore my WebCare Plans and Website Security Services today!
FAQs
- How often should I back up my website?
Ideally, you should back up your website daily if it changes regularly, or at least weekly for smaller sites.
- What’s the best way to protect my WordPress website?
Regular updates, strong passwords, backups, and security scans are key. A professional WebCare Plan can make this stress-free.
- How can I tell if my website has been hacked?
Look for unusual activity, such as slow loading, unexpected pop-ups, or changes you didn’t make.
Vera Evans, a former administration guru who is now a technology junkie turned Consultant/Technical Assistant at ET Digital Designs Stress Free Tech. Vera is passionate about online technology such as WordPress websites using the Divi theme and business systems and processes and really enjoys working with small business owners to get their digital presence online and identify and streamline their workflows.