Featured Newspage Archives

Plugins, “the candy” of WordPress

28 August 2023/0 Comments/in Featured Newspage, Plug-ins

54 THOUSAND free plugins!

WordPress.org currently offers 54,826 plugins.

Plugins with which you can take your blog or company website to the next level.

But, it’s like candy: you shouldn’t take too much of it, otherwise it will work against you. Even if that is difficult, because it is sooo tempting to try them all.

And now you would say, we’ve read that more often. We know now, not too many plugins, security, speed of the website blah blah blah..

We manage many websites, for 10+ years.. we can tell you: it is being made a mess!

Professional web agencies

Professional web agencies still throw too many plugins into the website. And not just too much, but also plugins that don’t work together.

Example: You can use 1 seo plugin, but you can choose from dozens on WordPress.org

You have a plugin to send Google, you have a plugin to create xml sitemaps, you have a plugin to display data in a structured way for Google.. etc
Downside: They all do a little bit of everything. They also overlap in functions. They do NOT work together! You will notice this automatically if you get unexpected results or problems with indexing in Google.

Anyone can install plugins, but setting them up properly is a study in itself.

Make the overloaded website faster with even more plugins?!

Another beautiful one. Every week we see websites that need to be fast, and are therefore equipped with multiple caching plugins.

1 for the speedtest, 1 for Google, 1 for lazy loading images, 1 for caching Html & Css and of course 1 that merges the queries making your website even faster! And to balance it all out a super caching to deliver static pages..

You can compare that with taking Energy drink for energy, a paracetamol against the headache of the energy drink and then get started with a stomach protector and an anti-nausea pill.
Madhouse, don’t!

OF COURSE you can use 1 plugin for speed and 1 plugin for seo, but do your research first. See what features they have, how they work and if you can set them up to your liking.

Another trap, premium plugins

Premium plugins are professional, so that’s okay!

WRONG! Even if you buy plugins for $ 199, a team has been working on it that converts the plugin into an airplane cockpit.

Because the customer wants to be able to do everything! Being able to manage everything without writing a single letter of code, everything must be click and play.
Very nice, but you don’t want to know the impact it has on the website. Entire teams write months of code with a large number of functions and customization options for which jQuery databases are unloaded, inline code is thrown into the html.. all for the sale of that expensive plugin and for the wishes of the customer.

So be very careful with premium plugins.

Keep it at 5-15 plugins max!

Require your web builder not to use every feature with plugins.
We know, it saves him work and time, the costs remain low, but in the long term it almost always causes problems with updating and the functioning of the website.

As a website owner, don’t just throw plugins into your website.

But also you as the owner of your website, don’t just throw plugins into your website 😉
I know, you run into a problem and see that this is solved with 1-2 mouse clicks. But you may be destroying the structure of your website with the plugins you use.

Nice story WPsecure!

From the candy store to a story about what NOT to do. That makes us very happy!

Now that you know what not to do, we’ll help you on your way to doing it as well as possible.

Plugins, what to do:

Find out which plugin works best through some research.Example: you want to use a caching plugin?
Then search: best 5 caching plugin for wordpress in Google or duckduck 😉
Buuuut, note the 1st and 2nd are often advertising. Both in Google and on the website in the article itself. Then they get a commission if you buy the plugin. So feel free to look at a free version and don’t take the “very best” where you only get a betaling or subscription. A free plugin is often just as good as a paid one.
See the reviews
Plugins have a “star rating”, look at the number of people who have given the rating and then the number of stars the plugin has earned.
Check whether the plugin has been updated recently, and is therefore maintained by the developer.

Now a list of free plugins that have proven themselves in recent years:

Autoptimize – For the speed of your website.
WooCommerce – From WordPress itself, for a webshop
Yoast SEO – The best plugin for optimizing for Google
iThemes Security – Security is essential!
Count per day – Find out how many visitors your website gets
UpdraftPlus – For the backups, your hoster keeps limited

All found in the awesome WordPress.org plugin library

Do you have any top plugins? Or questions? Let me know in the comments!

But remember, not too many plugins at once!

Uptime monitoring

9 August 2023/0 Comments/in Featured, Featured Newspage, Internet and more

Uptime monitoring is one of the ways we keep an eye on your website. It allows us to track whether the server hosting your website is stable and if your website is consistently accessible. If any issues arise, we are notified.

We also receive reports on the website’s uptime over the past months. These reports help us identify server time-outs, instances when the server was offline and the website was inaccessible, errors that rendered the website completely unavailable, and more.

There can be various reasons why a website may experience periods of inaccessibility, such as plugins, an overloaded server, or an unstable data network.

If we notice frequent occurrences of downtime, we can work towards resolving the issue or provide guidance on how to approach your web host.

We have been utilizing uptime monitoring for all our clients for many years.

With our Package 2, uptime assistance is included by default. If your website experiences downtime due to a server issue, we assist you by communicating with your web host or providing you with the necessary information to address the problem.

Uptime assistance and monitoring are services that we consider standard practice, especially for critical business websites and online stores.

Does FSE have the future? A test with WordPress Full Site Editing

1 August 2023/0 Comments/in Featured, Featured Newspage, Gutenberg, Themes

What if you could style not only the content but the entire website using Gutenberg?

With Full Site Editing (FSE), which stands for Full Site Editing, this may be possible in WordPress 5.8.

I have been testing FSE with the beta theme called TT1 Blocks and the latest Gutenberg release to see if it is truly convenient.

Full Site Editing Beta test

I have installed the experimental theme called TT1 Blocks.
This TT1 Blocks theme is a variation of the default WordPress 2021 theme called Twenty Twenty-One.

With this TT1 Blocks theme, I can see if it is possible to create a “professional sample website” without using any other editor or theme builder.

You can edit both the content, header, and footer in the same way! No additional theme plugin, child theme, or settings page is required.

Ps: At the time of writing, the TT1 Blocks theme is still in development, which is why the build number is still 0.4.5. There will be changes in the final theme and the functioning of FSE and Gutenberg.

My current experience with the experimental theme and Gutenberg

I spent 20 minutes playing around with the theme to see if I can work with it.
I have only been using Gutenberg for 1 hour because I usually work with the Visual builder, Enfold builder, on other sites.

A fun test to see if Full Site Editing with Gutenberg is easy to use and has potential, right?

A deep dive into FSE

I dive right in and create a homepage. In my imagination, I should be able to modify both the content and the header and footer. But that’s not the case.

I see a new button at the top in the black bar, Customize Site.

Now I can customize the header and footer using blocks and the standard Gutenberg editor.

Okay, we can design the site.

I envision a website with a “professional look.”
I go for a dark red header, not too tall, and a footer with a gray background. The overall page background should be predictably white or very light gray.

Let’s see if I can achieve that!

The header

Adjust color – CHECK

Modify title and slogan – CHECK

Adjust header height – FAIL

Even though I set the padding/spacing to 10px and removed any space blocks in the header, it is still three times taller than desired due to empty space.

The column height in the header
It appears that the logo and slogan are contained within a column. At the time of writing, the column height is not adjustable.

With some CSS, it is possible to adjust it by adding a class name to the column, setting the height, giving the h1 a margin of -100, and so on.

But we don’t want to do that; we shouldn’t have to code!

Changing the H1 to a Paragraph doesn’t help much either; in fact, it makes the column even taller.

EPIC FAIL!

Tip: Don’t dwell too long on something that isn’t working, move on and come back to it later.

The content

Inserting content is a breeze. Adding a photo, text next to it, adjusting with the so-called “spacers.”

Ps: I’m not saying this is the easiest way to create content. But Gutenberg works in general and is used by many 😉

Styling the footer

Similar to the header, changing the color is easy, and being old-fashioned, I also want to add a widget, which is straightforward. GREAT!

WordPress and FSE: 1-0

Adjusting the page background

The page background is still light green, the (awful) default color of the theme.
The theme currently does not have a separate settings page where this can be modified. That is likely to remain the case as we move towards Full Site Editing with Gutenberg.

I’m using the CSS Customizer to adjust the body color (Go to your admin panel, navigate to Themes, click on the current theme, and then click the blue “Customizer” button).

Result

I added some CSS, but ultimately, I managed to create a sample website that resembles what I had in mind. – Well, approximately, given the short timeframe of 1 to 2.5 hours that I wanted to dedicate to using Gutenberg in combination with the new FSE features.

Using FSE already?

No! Currently, in April 2021, FSE is still in beta. The official version is yet to be released, and many changes still need to be made.

When FSE is officially launched, you can take a look, but I recommend waiting for another 2-3 months even then. Often, some necessary updates are made when something is widely used. Consider compatibility with certain plugins, widgets, alignment, etc. There are probably still some minor bugs that WordPress will address in the months following the official release, as was the case with Gutenberg when it was officially introduced into WordPress.

Final Verdict: Does FSE have a future?

Absolutely! We know that Automattic (the company behind WordPress) closely collaborates with WordPress users. It is highly likely that the theme or the Gutenberg editor will have the missing functionalities in the official release.

Why FSE?

You can easily make various adjustments such as color without having to search for a theme editor or theme settings.
You can easily add and rearrange elements in the header and footer.
The base theme is well-supported and maintained by WordPress itself and is free, unlike premium themes.
Fewer plugins are needed to achieve what you want.

Contrary to expectations!
I am not yet a fan of Gutenberg, but this works quite well and is simple. Once you can manage the blocks, you can basically do anything.

Note: Designing is a separate skill, and technical knowledge and experience are still required to create a website.

What services do you get with a security package?

7 July 2023/0 Comments/in Featured Newspage, Internet and more

Within our security package, we provide the following services:

1. Securing your website against hackers and malicious scripts.
2. Keeping your website up-to-date, including plugins, themes, and WordPress itself.
3. Continuously monitoring your website for security vulnerabilities.
4. Performing daily backups to ensure data integrity in case of server issues.
5. Monitoring your website’s status on security service lists.
6. Monitoring website speed, uptime, and log files.
7. Resolving issues that may arise during updates without disturbing you.
8. Restoring hacked websites if a controlled plugin or WordPress itself becomes compromised.

In summary, we handle everything related to the security of your website.

If any issues occur during an update, we will resolve them at no additional cost. Sometimes, certain plugins may no longer be compatible, a plugin developer may introduce a coding error, or server updates may cause problems. We usually discover these issues during post-update checks and resolve them without bothering you.

However, it’s important to note that we do not offer graphic design modifications or develop new features for your website. For such tasks, you would need a web designer or web agency.

Regarding service, we strive to provide as much assistance as possible within the security package. You can ask questions about your website’s functionality, request backup restoration or data recovery, request a staging environment for testing, ask us to coordinate with your web developer or provide information, seek guidance on hosting, and occasionally ask technical questions.

There are no additional costs beyond the fixed monthly fee. While some sites may require more work to ensure their security, we rarely, if ever, send extra invoices. We aim to keep it that way by focusing entirely on the security and updates of your website.

WordPress Updates – 10 things you need to know

28 June 2023/0 Comments/in Featured, Featured Newspage, Internet and more

The 10 Crucial Points About WordPress Updates You Should Know

Every owner of a WordPress website is familiar with it: the frequent notifications about new updates. Although they may seem annoying, WordPress updates are essential for the security and functionality of your website. In this article, we will discuss the ten most important things you need to know about WordPress updates.

Why are updates necessary?

WordPress is an open-source CMS, which means that developers from all over the world are constantly working on improvements. Updates often include important features, bug fixes, and security updates that help your website run smoother and safer.

Types of updates

There are three types of WordPress updates: core updates, theme updates, and plugin updates. Each type has its own specific characteristics and requirements.

WordPress core updates

Core updates involve changes to the basic code of WordPress. They can include new features, bug fixes, or address security issues. It is always recommended to perform these updates to keep your website secure and efficient.

WordPress core updates are developed by a large group of selected programmers from Automattic (the company behind WordPress) in collaboration with the active WordPress community.

WordPress updates undergo extensive testing and are released in three variants:

Quick patches
If a security vulnerability is discovered, they quickly create an update that fixes it. These quick patches can be developed in 1 day (or night) and in case of high risk, even forcefully implemented!
Minor releases
These are additions to the versions. On average, they include between 10 and 20 minor adjustments.
Major releases
Also known as major releases. These incorporate innovative improvements. For example, activating the Gutenberg editor to replace the Classic editor or introducing new menu structures.
These versions occur relatively infrequently; at the time of writing, we are on WordPress 6+, which corresponds to 6 major releases.

Theme updates

Theme updates usually add new features, improve compatibility with the latest version of WordPress, and address any issues. Since themes play a significant role in how your site looks and functions, it’s important to perform these updates in a controlled manner.

For example, we create backups, screenshots, or even a staging test environment before applying theme updates.

Plugin updates

Plugins are modules that add additional functionality to your website. Plugin developers regularly release updates, sometimes even weekly, to fix compatibility issues, add new features, or address security vulnerabilities.

Now you understand that with 20 to 30 plugins and the weekly updates of some plugins, you may easily see 20+ updates within a week when you log in to your WordPress website.

Automatic updates

WordPress has the option to enable automatic updates for both the core, themes, and plugins.

While this can be convenient, it is also risky – and not recommended for large, high-traffic websites – as automatic updates can sometimes lead to

compatibility issues or conflicts between different components.

Updating process

When performing updates, it is crucial to follow a well-defined process. This involves creating backups, testing updates on a staging environment, and then applying them to the live site.

Following a systematic update process helps you identify and fix any issues before they affect your website’s performance or security.

Keeping track of updates

To stay on top of updates, you can monitor notifications in your WordPress dashboard, subscribe to newsletters or blogs that provide updates on WordPress news, or use monitoring tools that notify you when updates are available.

Regularly checking for updates and staying informed about the latest changes is crucial for maintaining a secure and optimized website.

Conclusion

WordPress updates are vital for the security and functionality of your website. By staying informed about updates and following a proper update process, you can ensure that your WordPress site remains secure, up-to-date, and optimized for the best performance.

Leave Updates, Security, and Maintenance to Us

At WP Security, we understand how crucial WordPress updates are for the security and functionality of your website. Here are some compelling reasons why you should consider engaging our services to manage security and updates:

Time and Convenience
Performing updates can be time-consuming, especially if you are not technically inclined. At WP Security, we have years of experience and dedicate ourselves to the security and updates of WordPress websites seven days a week. We are highly skilled in this process and can easily take care of it for you, freeing up your time for what truly matters: your business, your hobbies, and your leisure time.
Security Requires Specialization
The world of security is constantly evolving at a rapid pace. Hackers and hackbots from around the globe are constantly engaged in brute-force attempts to gain control of countless websites for selfish purposes such as black-hat SEO and the sale of shady products that yield substantial profits. We stay up to date with the latest security patches and updates, vulnerabilities, and techniques used by online criminals. This allows us to promptly, proactively, and effectively apply updates and security solutions to your website. Additionally, we possess tools to monitor WordPress websites, which is crucial for ensuring security.
Troubleshooting
In the event of problems arising during an update, we can quickly identify and resolve them. With our in-depth knowledge of WordPress, we can proficiently address most issues, roll back updates if necessary, and expertly resolve errors.
Advice and Support
We can guide you through the update processes and provide advice on best practices for your specific site. We can also offer guidance on specific plugins and features.

Of course, you are now interested and eager to engage our services to secure, maintain, and update your WordPress website!

Please contact us, and we will discuss the best options for your WordPress website!

Customize styling through WordPress’ CSS Customizer

1 May 2023/0 Comments/in Featured, Featured Newspage, Themes

What is WordPress’ CSS customizer?

The CSS customizer allows you to add CSS to your website.

What on earth is CSS!

CSS, Cascading Style Sheet … that name doesn’t really make it clear.
STYLING!

With HTML elements you display data in your website, and with CSS you style those elements.

So you want to make changes to the style of your website? Then you write a piece of CSS.

Why would I do that with the CSS Customizer?

The Customizer has color-coding that makes it easier to see if your code is written correctly. The Customizer also provides a LIVE preview view where you can see the changes immediately, so you can pre-view it before you Publish it.
You can instantly see if your CSS styling code is working!

The screenshot below shows a piece of CSS written in the Customizer.
You can see here the ID, Class and an H2 title element that I made red with the CSS for example.

Wanneer gebruik je de CSS Customizer van WordPress?

Als je de vormgeving van je website snel wilt aanpassen
Als je huidige thema geen beheerpaneel heeft waar je styling kunt aanpassen
Als je geen Child thema wilt aanmaken
Als je geen toegang hebt tot de styling & Serverbestanden

Let op!

When do you use WordPress’ CSS Customizer?

If you want to quickly change the styling of your website
If your current theme does not have an admin panel where you can customize styling
If you do not want to create a Child theme
If you do not have access to the styling & Server files

Notice!

To use WordPress’ CSS Customizer, it is important that you have experience with CSS.
CSS is the code language used to define the design, color and dimensions of a website.

The CSS you write in the Customizer will be loaded inline at the top of your website’s code. As a result, this CSS overrides the styling used by your theme.

You can also kill your website graphically with it, in which case it’s just a matter of deleting the written CSS, but keep in mind.

The benefits of the CSS Customizer

You immediately see what changes on the frontend of your website
The styling remains, even with theme updates
You don’t need to have server access or a code editor
The CSS code has clear code formatting in color
You can switch views: desktop, tablet and smartphone format
HTML styling with CSS in practice

I can see you thinking: HOW do I know WHAT to style!

In order to customize the HTML elements of your website with CSS, you obviously need to know what the elements are called. After all, you grab them by ID or CLASS name.

Therefore, open your website using an Element Inspector.
Most browsers (chrome, Firefox and more) have that option, you right-click on a particular part of your website and then choose Inspect Element – Sometimes you have to repeat this 2x to get a particular element.

Tip: You can of course open the Element Inspector in a different tab, or preferably on a different monitor because then you simply see more. After all, you only want to know the name of an element.

The screenshot below shows the CSS Customizer and the Element Inspector open on the far right.

Okay, you now know that there is a CSS Customizer in WordPress. You know that you can put CSS in there that you can use to customize the design of your website.

Now to write the CSS!
By now, of course, every programmer has long clicked away from this article and is happily adding CSS.

But I can’t write CSS!

Are you an enthusiastic website owner who has no idea how to write CSS?
Then you can commission us to modify a certain element with CSS. In fact, we write CSS as easily as the ABC.

Click here to put us to work*.
* please note, sometimes we are busy so we cannot provide the service. Security and recovery of hacked WordPress websites is our priority.

I want to learn how to write CSS

You can do that at w3schools.com
Currently there are free classes to learn CSS. (In english)
Click here to learn how to write CSS.

Saving changes in the CSS Customizer

Only when you click “Publish” – is the CSS saved in your website and displayed for new visitors! So don’t forget to press that button after writing CSS.