WordPress is one of the most widely used content management systems in the world, hosting over 40% of all websites on the internet. Flexibility, ease of use, and an expansive plugin ecosystem have made it the darling of bloggers, businesses, and developers. But managing a WordPress website can sometimes be overwhelming, especially concerning speed, security, and maintenance.
We are going to take a look at five different and lesser-known methods for managing and maintaining WordPress sites. These methods will improve the speed, security, and general performance of your website while spending less time managing and updating it. We'll also touch upon some lesser-known plugins and tools that will make your life easier.
1. Optimize WordPress Database for Speed and Performance
Why Database Optimization Matters
The WordPress database stores all your website’s content, including posts, pages, comments, and settings. Over time, the database can become cluttered with unnecessary data such as post revisions, spam comments, and transient options. This can slow down your website and affect its performance.
Less-Known Method: Use WP-Optimize Plugin
While many WordPress users are familiar with caching plugins like WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache, fewer are aware of the importance of database optimization. WP-Optimize is a powerful plugin that cleans up your database by removing unnecessary data and optimizing tables for better performance.
Steps to Optimize Your Database with WP-Optimize:
Install and Activate WP-Optimize: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “WP-Optimize.” Install and activate the plugin.
Run a Database Cleanup: Once activated, go to WP-Optimize > Database. The plugin will show you a list of database tables and the amount of data that can be cleaned up. Click on “Run all selected optimizations” to clean up your database.
Schedule Automatic Cleanups: To save time, you can schedule automatic cleanups. Go to WP-Optimize > Settings and set a frequency for automatic optimizations (e.g., weekly or monthly).
Additional Tip: Use Transient Cleaner
Transients are temporary data stored in your database to improve performance. However, expired transients can accumulate and clutter your database. The Transient Cleaner plugin automatically removes expired transients, keeping your database clean and optimized.
2. Implement Lazy Loading for Images and Videos
Why Lazy Loading is Important
Lazy loading is a technique that delays the loading of images and videos until they are needed (i.e., when they come into the viewport). This can significantly improve your website’s loading speed, especially for pages with a lot of media content.
Less-Known Method: Use a3 Lazy Load Plugin
While many WordPress users rely on caching plugins to improve speed, lazy loading is often overlooked. The a3 Lazy Load plugin is a lightweight and effective solution for implementing lazy loading on your WordPress website.
Steps to Implement Lazy Loading with a3 Lazy Load:
Install and Activate a3 Lazy Load: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “a3 Lazy Load.” Install and activate the plugin.
Configure Lazy Loading Settings: After activation, go to Settings > a3 Lazy Load. You can enable lazy loading for images, videos, and iframes. The plugin also allows you to exclude specific images or classes from lazy loading if needed.
Test Your Website: After configuring the settings, test your website to ensure that lazy loading is working correctly. You can use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to measure the improvement in loading speed.
Additional Tip: Use Native Lazy Loading in WordPress 5.5+
If you’re using WordPress 5.5 or later, you can take advantage of native lazy loading for images and iframes. Simply add the loading="lazy" attribute to your image tags, and WordPress will handle the rest. This eliminates the need for a plugin and further reduces bloat.
3. Secure Your WordPress Website with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Why Two-Factor Authentication is Crucial
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your WordPress login process. Even if someone manages to steal your password, they won’t be able to access your website without the second factor (usually a code sent to your phone).
Less-Known Method: Use WP 2FA Plugin
While many WordPress users are familiar with security plugins like Wordfence or iThemes Security, fewer are aware of the WP 2FA plugin. This plugin is specifically designed to add two-factor authentication to your WordPress website with minimal setup.
Steps to Enable Two-Factor Authentication with WP 2FA:
Install and Activate WP 2FA: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “WP 2FA.” Install and activate the plugin.
Configure 2FA Settings: After activation, go to WP 2FA > Settings. You can choose between different 2FA methods, such as email, SMS, or authenticator apps like Google Authenticator.
Enforce 2FA for Users: You can enforce 2FA for all users or specific roles (e.g., administrators, editors). This ensures that everyone with access to your website is using 2FA.
Test the 2FA Setup: Log out of your WordPress account and log back in to test the 2FA setup. You should be prompted to enter the second factor (e.g., a code sent to your phone) after entering your password.
Additional Tip: Use a Password Manager
In addition to 2FA, using a password manager like LastPass or 1Password can further enhance your website’s security. Password managers generate strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts and store them securely, reducing the risk of password-related breaches.
4. Automate Backups with UpdraftPlus and Remote Storage
Why Automated Backups are Essential
Regular backups are crucial for protecting your website against data loss, hacking, or server failures. However, manually backing up your website can be time-consuming and easy to forget.
Less-Known Method: Use UpdraftPlus with Remote Storage
UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular backup plugins for WordPress, but many users don’t take full advantage of its remote storage options. By storing your backups in a remote location (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3), you can ensure that your data is safe even if your server fails.
Steps to Automate Backups with UpdraftPlus:
Install and Activate UpdraftPlus: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “UpdraftPlus.” Install and activate the plugin.
Configure Backup Settings: After activation, go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups. You can choose which files and databases to back up and set a schedule for automatic backups (e.g., daily, weekly).
Set Up Remote Storage: Go to the “Settings” tab and select a remote storage option (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox). Follow the instructions to connect your account and authorize UpdraftPlus to upload backups to your remote storage.
Test Your Backup: Once configured, run a manual backup to ensure that everything is working correctly. You can also restore a backup to test the recovery process.
Additional Tip: Use Incremental Backups
If your website has a large amount of data, consider using incremental backups. This feature, available in UpdraftPlus Premium, only backs up the changes made since the last backup, reducing the time and storage space required for each backup.
5. Reduce Bloat with Asset CleanUp and Disable Unused Plugins
Why Reducing Bloat is Important
Over time, your WordPress website can accumulate unnecessary scripts, styles, and plugins that slow down your site and increase its vulnerability to security threats. Reducing bloat can improve your website’s speed, security, and overall performance.
Less-Known Method: Use Asset CleanUp Plugin
Asset CleanUp is a powerful plugin that allows you to disable unused scripts, styles, and plugins on a per-page basis. This can significantly reduce bloat and improve your website’s loading speed.
Steps to Reduce Bloat with Asset CleanUp:
Install and Activate Asset CleanUp: Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “Asset CleanUp.” Install and activate the plugin.
Scan Your Website: After activation, go to Asset CleanUp > Settings and run a scan of your website. The plugin will identify all the scripts, styles, and plugins loaded on each page.
Disable Unused Assets: Go to the “Manage CSS/JS” tab and disable any scripts or styles that are not needed on specific pages. You can also disable unused plugins on a per-page basis.
Test Your Website: After making changes, test your website to ensure that everything is working correctly. Use tools like GTmetrix or Pingdom to measure the improvement in loading speed.
Additional Tip: Disable Unused Plugins
In addition to using Asset CleanUp, regularly review your installed plugins and disable or delete any that are not in use. Unused plugins can still pose a security risk and contribute to bloat, even if they are not actively used.
Conclusion
Managing a WordPress website doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By implementing these five unique and less-known methods, you can improve your website’s speed, security, and overall performance while reducing the time spent on maintenance and updates.
Optimize Your Database: Use WP-Optimize and Transient Cleaner to keep your database clean and efficient.
Implement Lazy Loading: Use a3 Lazy Load or native lazy loading to improve your website’s loading speed.
Secure Your Website with 2FA: Use WP 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your WordPress login process.
Automate Backups: Use UpdraftPlus with remote storage to ensure that your data is safe and easily recoverable.
Reduce Bloat: Use Asset CleanUp and disable unused plugins to keep your website lean and fast.
By following these steps and using the recommended plugins and tools, you can maintain a WordPress website that is not only fast and secure but also easy to manage. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced WordPress user, these methods will help you get the most out of your website with minimal effort.
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