WordPress admin no longer works, the solution!

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We receive many messages stating that the WordPress admin panel is not working. One common description is a white page displaying in the admin panel. Unfortunately, this issue can also affect the entire website, making it inaccessible.

There are several possible problems that can cause your WordPress admin panel or website to become inaccessible.

We will discuss some common issues and provide the corresponding solutions:

1. Admin problem caused by Plugins

Errors such as “the white page” or “headers already sent” are often caused by plugins. This can happen if the plugins are poorly coded or if they are no longer compatible with your latest WordPress update.

Possible Solution:

To identify the problematic plugin, you will need to disable them one by one. This can be done if you can still access the plugin page in your admin.

If you can’t access the admin, use FTP software like Filezilla to navigate to the directory: httpdocs > wp-content > plugins.

Temporarily remove all plugins from the directory or only the one you suspect is causing the issue. With the plugin removed from the directory, it will be deactivated, and your WordPress admin should be accessible again. Afterward, you can place the plugins back in the folder. Some plugins may need to be reconfigured after this process.

2. Admin problem after changing the theme

The theme is somewhat separate from the WordPress admin. Therefore, making changes in the theme files usually won’t directly affect the admin. However, there’s one file you need to be careful with, which is the Functions.php file. A code error in this file can render your entire admin inaccessible.

Possible Solution:

If you made changes to the Functions.php file and now experience issues, you can access it via FTP in the httpdocs > wp-content > themes directory. You can try replacing the Functions.php with a correct version if you have a backup or restore the section you were working on in the text editor. It’s preferable to use Notepad++ for this, as it indicates syntax elements with colors and helps spot syntax errors.

3. Admin problem after installation

If you encounter an error immediately after installation instead of the regular wp-admin login page:

  • Check if the database is connected since WordPress runs on MySql.
  • Download WordPress again and manually upload it to ensure that all files are properly transferred to the server.
  • Verify if your hosting server is up-to-date. It’s essential that they have the latest PHP and MySql versions and the mod_rewrite Apache module.
  • Try accessing your admin from another computer or using a different browser. Also, clear your browser’s history (cache) to avoid loading an old page.

If you’re still facing issues…

We have been working with WordPress since 2007 and can help you resolve any issues. It may take 30-60 minutes, but we’ll get your WordPress up and running again in no time!

Contact us if you’d like us to assist you – The average cost is around 25-45 euros, and it’s a no-cure-no-pay service!

FileZilla FTP, how does it work?

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FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. An FTP program like Filezilla (free) allows you to move files from your computer to the server. FTP software can do this in an encrypted manner and is designed to deliver files smoothly, allowing the server to process them calmly.

filezilla

We want to teach you how to manage an FTP program and have prepared information for you to read to master FTP. Enjoy!

Download Filezilla here.

Filezilla, connecting to the server

To quickly connect to the server and save some files, you can use the main panel you see in FileZilla. This data will not be saved! For that, you need the site manager, which you can find below.filezilla verbinden

Saving connections

Websites you use frequently can be saved. The program will remember the server, username, and password so that you only need to click on the domain name.

Sitebeheer filezilla

What you’ll find on the server

Initially, you’ll find few folders on the server. The most important one is public_html, also known as httpdocs or root, where the website resides.

That’s where everything visible goes. You may also encounter folders like: CGI, IMAP, POP, BACKUP, STATS, PRIVATE-FTP when starting a new website. This varies depending on the hosting provider or server system, and you can just leave them as they are. You won’t use them as they are server files/folders for the server’s operation.

Simply remember that you need to access the root, http-docs, or public_html to place all your files.

FTP program activities

With many FTP programs, you’ll see a list when you upload. This is a log of the files being uploaded, and you can also read the error messages when you can’t connect. This is helpful because you can see if you are logged in or not and why.

Filezilla log

Modifying file permissions (CHMOD)

90% of the files you upload to the server will be read-only, but some files need to be writable by WordPress.

These files pass information or are used for the website’s style or framework.

These files should be set to 775 or 777 using your editor.
To do this, right-click and select “File Permissions.” You’ll have some options to check, but for webmasters who install and manage many websites, it’s easier to use a code.

777 is used for folders that need to be fully writable, such as WordPress’ uploads folders.

Other files will be set to 755, or 644 if they are executable files.

If you want to make the folders completely non-writable, you can set them to 555, which is read and execute only.

filezilla bestandsrechten cmod

 

WordPress updaten – Maak altijd eerst een backup!

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WordPress updaten. Meestal gaat het goed. Maar niet altijd! En dat is waarom je een backup van je WordPress website moet maken. Dit kun je doen met Updraftplus.

WordPress updaten, wat kan er verkeerd gaan?

  • De nieuwe plugins werken niet samen met de nieuwste versie van WordPress
  • Het thema werkt niet samen met de nieuwste versie van WordPress
  • De update is niet volledig afgerond door een serverprobleem

Is het ingewikkeld om een backup te maken?

Met Updraftplus is het maken van een backup gemakkelijk, en in feite gratis. (het neemt wel dataruimte in beslag op je hoster als je geen externe opslaglocatie kiest)
Het is een kwestie van een paar muisklikken!

Wat is Updraftplus?

Updraftplus is een gratis plugin die al heel wat jaren meegaat en succesvol backups maakt van WordPress websites. De WordPress basis en de database zijn daarbij het belangrijkste, maar UpdraftPlus maakt ook losse backups van je thema en de plugins.

Een backup maken met Updraftplus

Als je Updraftplus geinstalleerd hebt zie je een nieuw menu bovenaan je admin, daar klik je op Updraftplus en ga je naar Backup / Restore.

Gebruik de Backup Now knop om een backup te maken.

Daarna zie je de keuze om de database en bestanden op te slaan.
Laat die aangevinkt aangezien je een gelijktijdige backup van zowel de data als de database wilt.

De gemaakte backups zullen op dezelfde pagina in een lijst verschijnen.
Daar kun je de database, plugins of thema’s mee terug zetten naar de staat van de gekozen backup.

Zo gemakkelijk is dat!

Belangrijke tip: De WordPress core bestanden worden niet standaard meegenomen in de backup, die moet je handmatig aanvinken!

Ook al kun je de WordPress core altijd opnieuw downloaden van WordPress.org, het is goed om de specifieke versie bij de database te houden!
Zie de screenshot hieronder hoe je de WordPress core ook kunt selecteren.

WordPress widgets, here’s how it works!

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WordPress widgets are small plugins that you can place in the sidebar. They are easy to activate, move around, or temporarily remove.

There are many types of widgets, and WordPress comes with default widgets that display the latest posts, a widget for admin login, a widget to display posts per month, a widget to show the latest x number of posts, and a widget with a calendar. The most commonly used widget is the text widget, which allows you to display HTML and text.

As you can see, there are many possibilities, and they are highly flexible since you can simply drag and drop them without any programming.

Additionally, there are many modules/plugins that generate widgets, so you can use them in the sidebar.

This is how a widget looks in your admin

voorbeeld tekst widget

By default, the widgets are collapsed, but you can click on them to expand and make adjustments. Here you see a text widget, where you can set the name of the widget that will be displayed above the widget on your website. Below, you can place HTML and text.

To use PHP within your widget, you can download a module/plugin that allows PHP execution in the text widget.

After making changes, don’t forget to click the “blue button” to save the changes and publish them live.

Saving unused WordPress widgets

voorbeeld widgets die niet gebruikt worden

Imagine you have written some text in the text widget, or you have a widget with many configuration options. You might want to save it even if you don’t want to display it live at that moment. You can do this by collapsing the widget and dragging it to the “Inactive widgets,” where the settings will be saved until you want to use it.

Dragging WordPress widgets

wordpress widget slepen

Dragging is quite straightforward, but you need a theme with a sidebar to do it. If dragging or saving doesn’t work correctly, it may be due to insufficient browser support (old browser) or a malfunctioning WordPress admin. Tip: Trying again with another browser or re-uploading the admin might help.

5 super widgets!

  1. The “Count per day” widget displays the visitor count in your sidebar.
  2. The widget that comes with the Contact forms 7 plugin allows you to display a contact form in the sidebar.
  3. The WP Polls widget displays a poll in your sidebar.
  4. With the Nextgen Gallery plugin and its accompanying widget, you can display a slideshow or photo album in your sidebar.
  5. You can execute PHP in your widget with the PHP text widget plugin. By default, WordPress doesn’t allow PHP execution.

Making your WordPress website responsive without plugins

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A responsive website, you can either code it yourself or have it coded by a programmer/designer.

Why not use plugins?

There are various plugins that can turn your WordPress website into a mobile version, adapting the layout to fit tablets, smartphones, or wide monitors.

Every plugin you use is a potential security risk.

If you create a mobile site with plugins, such as a scaling plugin, a responsive menu plugin, a widgets plugin, an image resize plugin, etc., you might end up using 3-4 plugins just to display a mobile version to your visitors.

Moreover, the website might become slower and less secure, and it could have a completely different appearance, providing a different user experience for desktop visitors compared to what they experienced on their desktop devices.

Creating a responsive website without plugins

As a programmer, you can create a mobile site by using the existing elements of the site and providing customized formats based on screen width through a custom stylesheet (CSS).

If you don’t know how to start coding a mobile version, you can follow the tutorial below: “How to start coding a mobile version.”

If you are not a programmer, you can hire a programmer with experience in converting WordPress websites to mobile formats.

How to start coding a mobile version

The viewport

Easily forgotten, but very important! The viewport ensures that your media query knows the width of the screen.
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, user-scalable=no">
This viewport meta tag can control the size that should be displayed for the whole device/CSS.

We have media queries

Where you can specify what to do with Divs, titles, paragraphs based on the screen size.


@media screen and (min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 900px) {
/* Your CSS here */
}

Everything you put between that media query for 600 to 900 pixels will be displayed at that screen size.

Don’t forget to close the query!

Extra clarification: If you already have CSS code with !important in your regular stylesheet, you will need to overwrite it with !important or remove the “importance” from your regular CSS. Otherwise, the element won’t be affected.

Does the media query work? Test to know!

You might add code for a specific size, but nothing happens. Make sure the CSS is actually being used for a particular size.

What I often do is first write some code that changes the background color of the entire body for a certain size.

For example:

@media screen and (min-width: 600px) and (max-width: 900px) {
body { background-color: red !important; }
}

Then you can view the website on your mobile device, tablet, or scale the screen in your browser and see if the background turns red between 600 and 900 pixels.

Fluid versus Fixed

Opinions vary widely on the choice between Fluid or Fixed, so just do what you find most convenient.

Explanation of Fluid and Fixed:

Fluid means setting the wrappers (outer divs) to 100%. It scales with the maximum possible width of your device.

This allows you to use the maximum width, but the downside is that each device has its own width.

Fixed means a fixed value. In this case, you determine the width of each wrapper per media query.

How do I determine the flexible widths?

This can also be done in various ways. For example, from 1000px, from 750 to 1000px, and from 250 to 750px.

Think of 1000+ as for computers, 750 to 1000 for tablets in landscape mode, and 250 to 750 for tablets in portrait mode and phones in landscape mode.

Note! These pixel widths may change yearly as tablets become sharper, and it becomes pixel-specific.

This was the starting point for creating a responsive website without plugins!

The important thing is that it is relatively easy to achieve without plugins, which provides a better foundation for the speed and security of your WordPress website.

Protecting a page with password in WordPress

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WordPress has a built-in feature that allows you to protect pages and posts with a password. You can set a unique password for each page or post.

Step 1: In your page or post, click on “Visibility: Edit” in the publish block.

Set password WordPress

Step 2: Select “Password protected” and enter your desired password.

Set password

Step 3: Publish the changes.

Publish changes WordPress

Done!

After these steps, you will see a password field on the page or post where you have set it.

Protect WordPress page

Simple, right?

Hide more than just the content?

With this function, WordPress only protects the content that is loaded with wp_content(), but not the custom fields that you have programmed in a page template or extra content areas via the Secondary content plugin.

If you also want to hide these, you can add this code to the template to hide that info:

<?php if ( !post_password_required() ) { ?>
This will also be hidden now!
<?php } ?>

Why you should not download illegal plugins or themes

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Everyone knows that there’s often a catch behind things that are offered for free, and the same applies to Nulled websites that provide free plugins and themes – they can be included in the list of scams.

These websites offer paid scripts that have been hacked and no longer require a license. It might seem tempting, especially if you want to test a paid script before purchasing it.

However, I strongly advise against downloading plugins and themes from illegal websites. These scripts not only contain simple pieces of extra code that can expose your website to hackers but also include sophisticated code that puts the entire server at risk.

The scripts are designed to execute a function for every visitor but remain dormant when you’re logged in, making them difficult to detect with security plugins like WordFence.

In summary, choosing cheap or free options can ultimately lead to costly consequences and invite troubles.

Download the whitepaper here for more detailed information.

Using WordPress plugins wisely

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WordPress for Businesses: Pros and Cons

When setting up a business website, you have various options. You can choose to hire a programmer-designer to develop a website with management capabilities, or you can opt for a WordPress website.
WordPress is currently the most popular Content Management System, and more and more entrepreneurs are choosing WordPress for their business websites. But what are the pros and cons of using WordPress for businesses? Read more about this in the following article.

The Advantages of WordPress for Businesses

There are several advantages to using a WordPress website for businesses. As a business owner, you can benefit from the following advantages:

  1. WordPress is user-friendly. Both beginners and experienced users can work with WordPress and develop stunning websites with this CMS.
  2. WordPress is constantly evolving. On average, there are eight updates per year for WordPress, which means the CMS is continuously refreshed and improved.
  3. WordPress offers numerous functionalities. There are over 40,000 plugins for WordPress, providing users with endless possibilities to style and customize their websites.
  4. WordPress pays great attention to search engine optimization. The technology behind WordPress for businesses offers many options for search engine optimization, enabling your website to be well-ranked in Google.
  5. WordPress is cost-effective because all the development work is already done. It is open-source. You don’t have to pay for the development of the system behind your website; you only need to pay for designing your WordPress website or even do it yourself for free.

As you can see, WordPress for businesses offers various advantages. It is no wonder that WordPress is the most popular CMS currently, and the number of users continues to grow. WordPress is a user-friendly and affordable system that is continually updated, offering many functionalities while considering search engine optimization.

The Disadvantages of WordPress for Businesses

Unfortunately, there are also some downsides to using WordPress for businesses. The most significant disadvantage is the fact that WordPress is not always secure. This is attributed to three factors:

  1. WordPress has an open-source code, meaning anyone can view the code behind WordPress. Unfortunately, some people use this information for malicious purposes, leading to inadequate security of WordPress.
  2. WordPress offers many functionalities in the form of plugins, but these plugins are not always secure. Many plugins are infected with viruses, or certain plugins make it easier for hackers to gain access to your WordPress website.
  3. While WordPress provides features to enhance website security, many users do not know how to use them properly. Since WordPress does not assist you in securing your website, you may need to rely on professionals like WPbeveiligen to secure your website properly. As a result, many WordPress websites are vulnerable to hackers and attacks.

Besides security reasons, using too many plugins can also impact the SEO and speed of your website negatively. Plugins add extra code to your website, and on average, they come with 300-400% additional code to make management easier for end-users. For a fast website with many functionalities, using the functions.php file of your theme or creating custom templates may be a better option.

This ensures that your website remains unique, less susceptible to hacking, and maintains good speed.

For individuals with expertise in setting up templates, unique layouts, and functions, OntwerpExpert can be of great help.

Conclusion

Using WordPress has various advantages. It is user-friendly, regularly updated and improved, offers thousands of functionalities through plugins, and considers search engine optimization. The only major disadvantage is that WordPress is not always secure. To avoid encountering viruses and hackers as a WordPress user, you must take certain actions or have your WordPress website properly secured. Since many users do not know what actions to take, they often face viruses and/or hackers.

Still uncertain about WordPress? Click here to compare!

WordPress for business: the advantages and disadvantages

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WordPress for Businesses: Pros and Cons

When setting up a business website, you have various options. You can choose to hire a programmer-designer to develop a website with management capabilities, or you can opt for a WordPress website.

WordPress is currently the most popular Content Management System, and more and more entrepreneurs choose it for their business websites. So, what are the pros and cons of using WordPress for business websites?

The Advantages of WordPress for Businesses

There are several advantages of using WordPress for business websites:

  1. User-friendly: WordPress is easy to use for both beginners and experienced users, allowing them to develop beautiful websites.
  2. Continuous Development: WordPress receives an average of eight updates per year, ensuring continuous improvement and enhancement of the CMS.
  3. Abundance of Features: There are more than 40,000 plugins available for WordPress, offering limitless possibilities to customize and optimize your website according to your needs.
  4. SEO-Friendly: WordPress is designed with SEO in mind, providing many opportunities for search engine optimization and enabling your website to be well-ranked on Google.
  5. Cost-Effective: WordPress is open-source, which means you don’t need to pay for the system’s development. You may only need to pay for designing your WordPress website, or even nothing if you decide to do it yourself.

As you can see, WordPress for businesses offers various advantages. It is no wonder that WordPress is the most popular CMS today, as it is a user-friendly and cost-effective system that continually evolves, providing a plethora of functionalities while prioritizing search engine optimization.

The Disadvantages of WordPress for Businesses

Unfortunately, there are also some disadvantages associated with using WordPress for businesses. The main drawback is the issue of security. This is due to several factors:

  1. Open Source Code: WordPress has open-source code, which means anyone can access the code. Unfortunately, some individuals misuse this information for malicious purposes, leading to potential security vulnerabilities.
  2. Plugin Vulnerabilities: Although plugins provide extensive functionalities, some plugins may not be secure. Many plugins are infected with viruses or provide easy access to hackers.
  3. Lack of Security Guidance: While WordPress offers features to enhance website security, many users lack the knowledge of how to properly secure their websites. As a result, many WordPress websites become vulnerable to hacking.

To mitigate the security risks, users of WordPress should actively take measures to improve website security or seek professional help, such as WordPress website security services. Unfortunately, due to a lack of security knowledge among many users, WordPress websites often become susceptible to viruses and hacker attacks, which is the main disadvantage of using WordPress for businesses.

Conclusion

Using WordPress offers various benefits, such as user-friendliness, continuous development, extensive functionalities through plugins, SEO support, and cost-effectiveness. However, the main drawback is WordPress’s susceptibility to security risks. To avoid encountering viruses and hackers, WordPress users must take specific actions to enhance their website’s security or enlist professional assistance. Many WordPress users often face security challenges due to their lack of knowledge about the necessary security measures.

If you are still unsure about using WordPress, consider comparing your options before making a decision.

Why would a hacker have hacked my website?

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Why Would a Hacker Hack My Website?

The question of why a hacker would target your website is something many people wonder about. The belief that hackers only target large websites or ones where there is money to be gained is outdated.

Hackers use websites to set up fake online banking pages where inexperienced computer users may unknowingly enter their personal information.

This fake website operates in the background, without you having any idea. For example, if you have a website called www.ik-brei-graag.nl, the hackers might create a folder or just a few files so that you get: www.ik-brei-graag.nl/nep-bank.html or worse: www.ik-brei-graag.nl/ing/inloggen.php.

Who Falls for This?

You might wonder, who falls for this kind of deception? Well, you might be underestimating the knowledge that hackers possess. They know how to make that fake bank page appear on your server’s Google search results. So when someone Googles ING or Rabobank, they end up on the hackers’ part of your website, where the bank’s website has been copied so convincingly that it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between the genuine bank site and the fake one. (See example image below)

Hackers can also send emails from your website with messages like: “Your bank account has been compromised, click here to secure it now!” And yes, some people do click on the link to “prevent” their supposedly hacked account from being misused.

The purpose of these fake bank sites is not to be selective but to send mass emails through your expensive hosting package using your domain. They hope that 1 in 1000 people will actually fall for the scam and enter their details.

To clarify, a legitimate bank will never ask for your PIN code, and they will never handle important matters via email. Most banking matters require written communication.

Can You Spot the Difference?

If you still think you can easily distinguish between a real and a fake bank page, take a look at the example below. Do you see the differences? I made 3 changes to the right variant. Would you have noticed them if I hadn’t mentioned that there are differences? Did you spot them?

voorbeeld

  1. The lion image is reversed. Fake emails or websites often have logos that are different or out of proportion.
  2. It says “Zoutzak” instead of “Zakelijk”.
  3. Under the login, there is a different text: “Net echt he?” (which means “Looks real, right?”)

Illustration of the Reality

Imagine that a criminal hacker enters your home or store through the backdoor and tells every visitor that he is an employee of the bank and they can withdraw money from him.

However, when they try to make a transaction, he informs them that the transaction failed and blames their bank card or information. While they are distracted, he uses their information to withdraw money for himself.

That’s a brief explanation of how internet criminals operate. The worst part is that he was in your home or store (your hobby website or webshop), and the victims turn to you with the problem that their money was stolen. The criminal often remains out of reach.

In short: whether you’re from a local knitting club or a website selling electronics, hackers won’t be selective.

These hackers use scripts to test website inputs, and when they find one, they set up their fake bank on your web address.

How Can You Secure Your Website?

To ensure your website’s security, follow these steps:

  1. Set most files’ permissions to read-only (CHMOD 775/755 or even 444 for Htaccess/wp-config.php).
  2. Don’t display CMS version and type numbers on the website or in the source code.
  3. Use long and varied passwords.
  4. Install a good WordPress security plugin.
  5. Be cautious when using plugins made by third parties.
  6. Regularly back up your website.
  7. Sign up for Google Webmaster Tools and perform regular checks.
  8. Perhaps the best tip: have an experienced programmer secure your WordPress website.

Don’t

take risks, let a professional secure your WordPress website!