WordPress: 5 Duties that Achieve Competent Administration

WordPress, initially developed as a blogging platform, has evolved into a full-fledged CMS that currently powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. Its widespread adoption can be attributed to its user-friendly interface, extensive plugin ecosystem, and robust community support. Whether you’re an aspiring blogger, a small business owner, or an established enterprise, WordPress offers a wealth of tools and features to create a professional and engaging online presence.

Table Of Contents

What is a WordPress Webmaster or Administrator?
The Four Essential Stages of Building a Successful WordPress Website
Examples of WordPress Websites
FAQ

What is a WordPress Webmaster or Administrator?

At the heart of every successful WordPress Website maintenance culture lies a skilled WordPress administrator, or team of administrators and developers, who plays a vital role in managing and optimizing the platform.

A WordPress administrator is a person responsible for overseeing and managing the technical aspects of a WordPress website. They play a crucial role in maintaining the website’s functionality, security, and overall performance. A webmaster possesses in-depth knowledge of WordPress and its various features, allowing them to optimize the website for optimal user experience.

As an administrator, their responsibilities include:

1. Website Setup and Configuration

An administrator is responsible for the initial setup and configuration of a WordPress website. This includes tasks such as installing WordPress, selecting and customizing themes, setting up plugins, and configuring basic settings.

An immediate task for admins is to lock down the site by adding a layer of security and protecting against malicious attacks. However, a common mistake admins make is neglecting to regularly update plugins, themes, and the WordPress core, leaving the website vulnerable to security breaches.

2. Content Management

Administrators handle content-related tasks such as creating and publishing blog posts, managing pages, organizing content with categories and tags, optimizing content for search engines, and monitoring user engagement through data analytics.

A common task for admins is to schedule regular content updates and publish them at optimal times to maintain a consistent posting schedule. On the other hand, a common misstep admins make is not optimizing images before uploading them, leading to slower page loading times and negatively affecting the website’s performance.

3. Security and Maintenance

Administrators are responsible for implementing security measures to protect the website from potential threats. This includes keeping WordPress, themes, and plugins updated, performing regular backups, and monitoring the website for any security vulnerabilities.

Optional tasks would be to create a second, and even third, line of defense at the server level, for example, in a Virtual Private Server, all in an effort to enhance website protection. A common situation with unseasoned admins is not being aware of these options, finding them unnecessary, or being insufficiently skilled in server management.

4. User Management

Administrators manage user accounts, assign appropriate roles and permissions, and ensure a secure login system. User management allows different contributors to collaborate on the website while maintaining control over access levels. They also handle user feedback, moderate comments, and user-generated content, and enforce community guidelines if applicable.

The duty of the admin includes revoking access when necessary. However, an unwitting mistake admins make is granting unnecessary administrative privileges to users, which increases the risk of accidental modifications or unauthorized actions on the website.

5. Website Performance Optimization

Webmasters optimize the website’s performance by implementing caching, image optimization, and code optimization techniques. They monitor website loading speed and make necessary improvements to enhance the user experience. They conduct regular performance audits, analyze website metrics, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions to improve overall website speed and responsiveness.

A regular undertaking for admins is to enable browser caching to reduce page load times for returning visitors. However, when admins neglect to do this, or neglect to minify and/or defer the loading of CSS and JavaScript files, the result is slow loading times.

The Four Essential Stages of Building a Successful WordPress Website

1. Planning

This stage involves defining the purpose, goals, and target audience of your WordPress website. You create a site structure, plan your content strategy, and determine the overall design and functionality requirements.

2. Development

In this stage, you convert your website plan into a functional WordPress site. It includes setting up the necessary infrastructure, customizing the theme, installing and configuring plugins, and developing any custom features or functionality.

3. Content Creation and Optimization

Once the website is developed, you create and publish relevant and engaging content such as blog posts, articles, images, and videos. Simultaneously, you optimize the content and website for search engines (SEO) by implementing best practices and ensuring good performance and user experience.

4. Maintenance and Analysis

After the website is live, you need to maintain it by regularly updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins, monitoring security, performing backups, and resolving any issues. Additionally, you analyze the website’s performance, user behavior, and conversion rates using analytics tools to make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.

Examples of WordPress Websites

FAQ

What is the duration of maintaining a website?

The amount of time required to maintain a website can vary depending on the scale and complexity of the tasks involved. If you would like to obtain an estimate for your project, please feel free to contact me.

Furthermore, I have provided the pricing details for all maintenance plans.

How can I begin with my WordPress website maintenance plan?

1. Click on “Pricing” in the menu to view a comparison table of plans. Then select “Choose” for the plan you prefer.

2. Once selected, you will be redirected to the checkout page to proceed with the purchase of your chosen plan. Provide the necessary information to complete the checkout process and create your account with us.

3. After the checkout is completed, you will receive a series of onboarding and introductory emails from me. The first email will guide you on how to grant me secure access to your website(s). Subsequent emails will provide detailed instructions on requesting edits effectively, recommended screen capture tools, updates on plugin optimization and speed enhancement progress, and other valuable tips to maximize the benefits of your chosen plan.

4. I value the success of my clients. That’s why I am dedicated and focused on client success, which includes assisting you in getting started with your maintenance plan. Reliable customer support is available.

How can I securely provide you with my login credentials?

Once you have signed up for your website maintenance plan, you can securely share your login credentials with me by replying to the welcome email you receive after completing the checkout process. Inside the reply, include all the necessary login credentials you have created for your website.

To ensure the security of your information, the onboarding email will provide you with a self-destructing link. By using this link, only I will be able to access your usernames and passwords, ensuring maximum privacy and protection.

What is included and not included in your unlimited edits?

Unlimited edits service includes the following:

– Edits to content on any page
– Changing banners, headers, or footers
– Adjusting plugin settings
– CSS adjustments
– Blog content or context edits
– Adding new landing pages
– Formatting landing pages
– Changing images or text
– Improving shopping with coupon codes and cart updates.

With unlimited edits, there are no restrictions or limits on the number of edits you can request.

However, the following services are not included in my unlimited edits:

– Custom development involving PHP, plugins, themes, etc.
– Updating custom code
– Any software or tools outside of WordPress
– Graphic design
– Building full pages to match specific designs
– Creating or rebuilding websites or subdomains

Here are some examples to illustrate what is included and what is not:

– Edit Example 1:

Included: Uploading blog content that you created, including attached images, and formatting it for WordPress based on your instructions.

Excluded: Creating a blog post, finding images, and uploading them to WordPress without providing formatting instructions.

– Edit Example 2:

Included: Adding a new product to your WooCommerce store using the content you have provided.

Excluded: Developing a tailored checkout process for your WooCommerce store.

– Edit Example 3:

Included: Installing and configuring a plugin to make the most of its built-in functionality.

Excluded: Creating new functionality that does not exist in a plugin (requires custom development, which may be available at an additional hourly development rate).

– Edit Example 4:

Included: Replacing the current content on your About page with the text you emailed to us.

Excluded: Writing content for or designing your About page.

If you require assistance with custom development, I am more than willing to help. Such projects will be covered under my hourly work and can be discussed separately.

Can you manage WooCommerce websites?

Yes. I specialize in managing WooCommerce websites. I can provide further insights into how I handle WooCommerce sites.

Please note that websites with advanced functionality like WooCommerce require a Woo Intermediate or Woo Advanced Plan. This plan is also suitable for membership sites, multi-language sites, and sites with on-site payments. These types of websites require additional resources to ensure security, speed, and smooth operation. By choosing the right plan, I can dedicate the necessary resources to effectively manage your WooCommerce website.

Does the hosting provider I use matter?

No, the hosting provider you choose doesn’t affect the outcome. I am capable of working with websites hosted on any platform.

I understand that different websites have unique needs, and I respect the budget constraints of my clients. While I can work with any hosting provider, it’s important to note that achieving your desired speed and security goals may be challenging on shared hosting environments. If you wish to upgrade your hosting, I can provide you with a list of recommended and trusted hosting partners. Please see my “Tools” page.

How does the onboarding process work?

Once you sign up for the care plan that suits your requirements, you will receive a welcome email containing information about your plan. This email will also provide instructions on how to securely share your login credentials with me.

Once I receive the login information for your WordPress dashboard and hosting provider, I will implement your chosen plan within 24-48 hours. I follow a comprehensive 200+ item checklist to ensure your website is fully optimized.

Please note that speed enhancements may take up to a week. I take the necessary time to optimize your core files, theme, and plugins in a manner that avoids any potential downtime or compromises to your website’s functionality.

Throughout the process, I will keep you informed of our progress via email, ensuring complete transparency. Your first weekly report will be delivered on the first Monday following your sign-up. If you sign up over the weekend, I may send your first report on the subsequent Monday to ensure I have all the necessary data for an informative report.

What if I have multiple websites that require management?

No problem at all! I can manage multiple websites for you, whether it’s one or ten.

Each of my care plans covers a single website, domain, subdomain, or WordPress installation. For example, if you have three websites that you want me to manage, you will need three plans, one for each site.

You are welcome to choose different plans for each website based on your individual needs. I understand that different websites may require varying levels of support and attention.

What are the basic PHP skills a WordPress admin should have?

– Understanding PHP syntax: Familiarize yourself with the basic syntax and structure of PHP code, including variables, functions, loops, conditional statements, and data types.

– Template hierarchy: WordPress uses a template hierarchy system to determine how different pages are displayed. Understanding the template hierarchy and how to create and modify template files in PHP can give you more control over the appearance of your website.

– Hooks and filters: Hooks and filters are essential concepts in WordPress development. They allow you to modify the default behavior of WordPress functions and plugins. Learn how to use actions and filters to add, remove, or modify functionality in your theme or plugins.

What are the basic SQL skills a WordPress admin should have?

– Understanding of database structure: Familiarize yourself with the structure of the WordPress database. WordPress uses a MySQL database to store all the site’s content, including posts, pages, comments, settings, and more. Understanding the tables and their relationships will help you navigate and manipulate the data effectively.

– Backup and restore: Learn how to perform backups and restore the WordPress database using SQL commands. This skill is essential for safeguarding your data and recovering from any unforeseen issues.

– Database optimization: Optimize your WordPress database regularly to improve performance. SQL commands like “OPTIMIZE TABLE” and “REPAIR TABLE” can help you remove overhead and fix any corrupted tables.

– Data manipulation: SQL allows you to manipulate data in your WordPress database. Basic skills like selecting, inserting, updating, and deleting data using SQL queries can be useful in certain scenarios. For example, you might want to update multiple posts at once or delete spam comments directly from the database.

– Search and filtering: SQL queries can help you search and filter data more efficiently. You can use “SELECT” statements with conditions and operators to retrieve specific data based on criteria like post type, author, date, or custom fields.

– Understanding of joins: Joins are used to combine data from multiple tables based on related columns. Understanding different types of joins (e.g., INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN) will enable you to retrieve data that spans across different tables, such as retrieving comments along with their associated posts.

– Troubleshooting: In some cases, when encountering issues with WordPress plugins, themes, or specific functionalities, you might need to analyze the database directly. Basic SQL skills will allow you to inspect and troubleshoot database-related problems.

What are other default WordPress roles?

– Editors are responsible for managing content on the site. They can create, edit, delete, and publish pages and posts, moderate comments, and manage categories and links.

– Authors can create, edit, delete, and publish their own posts, as well as upload media files. They cannot edit pages or modify other users’ content.

– Contributors have limited permissions and can only read all posts, delete their own posts, and edit their own posts. They cannot publish posts or upload media files.

– Subscribers have the ability to read all posts on the site and manage their own profiles. They have limited capabilities and are typically used for subscription-based sites.

– The Super Admin role is specific to Multisite installations. Super Admins have control over the entire network of connected WordPress sites. They can add and delete sites, and manage users, themes, plugins, and more.

What are some tips for picking the right user roles and permissions?

When assigning user roles, it’s best to give users the lowest level of permissions necessary for their tasks. Consider the specific roles and capabilities needed for each user. For example, authors can write and publish their own content, while contributors can only submit content for review. Limit the number of administrators to maintain site security.

Bukeda Idoniboye

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Bukeda has over 18 years of IT experience. With certifications in MCSA, MCDBA, MCSE, and MC-AzA in Microsoft Azure, he is proficient in web development, databases, server infrastructure, virtualization, and cloud computing. He has worked with USAID contractors, aviation companies and contributed to World Bank projects.

WordPress: 5 Duties that Achieve Competent Administration