There’s work to be done on the back end of WordPress to keep it in top-notch condition.The Plugins

Keep them updated! When you’re on the Dashboard, and you see that little number next to the word Plugins, that means you need to execute some updates. Don’t ignore this process.

Once you update your plugins, make sure there’s nothing else you need to do once the updates are completed.

Most updates don’t require anything other than the update, but some plugin updates will show you messages that ask you to go to the updated plugin and reconfigure it. Make sure you pay attention to any new messages at the top of your Dashboard after you update plugins. They’ll direct you where to go and what to do, if there’s anything that needs to be done.

The Themes

The default themes that come standard with your WordPress install, and any themes you personally upload, will sometimes have updates. Again, don’t ignore this process.

Often, users are reluctant to update their theme, because they’ve made customizations to the theme that they know will be wiped out once they update the theme.

You can’t let that keep you from updating your themes.

The answer is not ignoring the updates, because the updates may patch security holes that hackers can exploit. The answer is to learn how to create a child theme that isn’t affected when the main theme has updates. That, however, is for another post.

Also, do not delete the default themes that come with your WordPress install. They serve an important purpose, even if you’re not using them now. Again, that’s a topic for another post.

The Platform

WordPress itself needs to be kept up to date,and not doing so could be tantamount to website suicide. You should not, under any circumstances, be using older versions of WordPress.

If your hosting provider doesn’t support the newest version of WordPress, then you need a new host and fast! Don’t walk. Run! Seriously.

Like theme and plugin updates, Automattic, the company that created and maintains WordPress, will release a newer version of the platform to patch vulnerabilities that could allow hackers easy access to your WordPress site.

Sometimes users don’t want to update WordPress, because the newest version of WordPress “breaks” their theme. Do not let this stop you from updating your WordPress platform.

You should definitely be more concerned with having the most stable and secure version of WordPress. The theme should be your secondary concern when it comes to your WordPress platform. Great theme creators will update their themes to work with the latest version of WordPress. If they don’t, get a new theme, period. Don’t compromise security for your theme.

So what if you don’t want to worry about the backend?

Some bloggers just want to create content. They don’t want to deal with all the backend maintenance stuff.

That’s not a problem, but you need to find a way to make sure the backend is taken care of.

That’s a service that The Press Planet offers. We have basic site maintenance packages, and we can even create a custom package for you.

Even if you choose not to use The Press Planet for WordPress site support, don’t just blog on a “wing and a prayer.” Find someone or some company you trust to help you maintain your site if you don’t want to do it yourself.

Yes, there is usually an expense associated with having someone help you with site maintenance, but decide which is more costly: preventative maintenance or recovering from a site crash or site hack?