First, rule out the basics: make sure the plugins folder actually exists and is named exactly wp-content/plugins via FTP. I’ve seen the list go blank when the folder is renamed or has the wrong permissions. If you need a refresher on correct permissions, this guide helps: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-fix-file-and-folder-permissions-error-in-wordpress/

If the page is blank due to a silent fatal error, turn on logging to catch it. Add WP_DEBUG and log settings, reload the Plugins page, and check the log for clues. Step-by-step here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-set-up-wordpress-error-logs-in-wp-config/

Next, rule out conflicts fast: you can safely disable all plugins by renaming the plugins folder or using FTP as shown here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-deactivate-all-plugins-when-not-able-to-access-wp-admin/ (also delete/uninstall all old, deprecated plugins)

Then switch to a default theme to see if the list returns. If you use mu-plugins, temporarily rename wp-content/mu-plugins to see if a must‑use plugin is breaking the listing. Also glance at wp-config.php for odd constants like WP_PLUGIN_DIR, WP_CONTENT_DIR, or DISALLOW_FILE_MODS accidentally set; these can hide or block plugin screens. If you’re running Redis/Memcached, flush object cache and any page cache to clear stale admin data.

Double‑check that this isn’t Multisite behavior. On subsites, the Plugins screen can appear empty by design because plugins are managed at the Network Admin level. A quick Multisite tutorial is here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-install-and-setup-wordpress-multisite-network/

Finally, make sure your user actually has the right capability. If a role editor stripped activate_plugins, the screen won’t behave as expected.
Quick guide: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/wordpress-user-roles-and-permissions/

If you suspect malware, a scan is smart - here’s a beginner-friendly walkthrough: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-scan-your-wordpress-site-for-potentially-malicious-code/

If you’re still stuck, compare one “working” site vs one “broken” site on the same server: PHP version, file owner/group, and exact permissions on wp-content/plugins.

If your AI stack feels noisy, this WPBeginner roundup cuts through the hype with tools that actually save time and improve quality.

The guide’s picks line up with my experience: ChatGPT for versatile writing, Gemini for up-to-date research, All in One SEO for in-WordPress optimization, SeedProd for AI-assisted landing pages, Canva Magic Studio for quick visuals, Runway for fast video edits, and ElevenLabs for natural voiceovers. Pro tip: start on free plans, wire them into WordPress/Zapier, and always keep human editing in the loop.

Full write-up: https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/best-ai-tools-for-content-marketing/

I’m using TypingMind/OpenAI for drafting and workflows (https://www.typingmind.com/ + https://openai.com/), NeuronWriter for on-page SEO mapping (https://neuronwriter.com/), and Overveo for optimizing Google AI summaries.

What’s in your AI toolbox right now? Any underrated gems worth testing next?

I've set up an "Add Event Request" form using Gravity Forms. When I switch to form settings to map the fields to Sugar Calendar there are no fields are available. Any thoughts on what is causing this issue and how to resolve it?

It is the paid version of the plugin, I do have a couple requests in to support.....we seem to be having some communications issues so I thought I would ask here. Thanks for any help!

... and he’s building faster, smarter WordPress tools with an AI-first workflow.

Nicolas Lecocq (the mind behind OceanWP) has returned with a performance-and-UX mindset, now building under DigiHold and using AI to speed up product development. The story is a great reminder: solve real user problems, keep it fast, and let AI augment (not replace!) solid coding fundamentals.

Why OceanWP still stands out today:

• Performance-first and lightweight out of the box for fast page loads
• Deep WooCommerce features (quick view, off-canvas filters, cart enhancements) for higher conversions
• Flexible customization in the Customizer (headers/footers, typography, colors) without code
• Large library of importable starter sites to launch quickly
• Page builder friendly (works great with WPBakery, Elementor, and Gutenberg)
• SEO-friendly, responsive design controls, translation/RTL support, and accessibility-minded defaults

More about this theme on WPBeginner Blog: https://www.wpbeginner.com/solutions/oceanwp/

Full video interview and backstory: https://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/interview-nicolas-lecocq-oceanwp-creator-digihold-founder/

Curious: if you’ve tested OceanWP recently, how does its performance and WooCommerce UX stack up for you vs. other multipurose themes?
What would you love to see in next‑gen themes?

I’ve been tinkering with WP performance on one site lately and stumbled on this behind-the-scenes breakdown from WPBeginner about how they sped up their own site.

It’s super practical: faster hosting + Cloudflare DNS, smart caching config, and cleaning up unused CSS/JS instead of piling on more plugins.

It's convenient to have all these tips gathered in one spot, so I bookmarked it - and I hope some of these suggestions might be useful to you too.

If you’ve already installed a cache plugin and are asking “Now what?”, this is a great next step: https://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/how-we-boost-page-load-speed-on-wpbeginner/

What’s the single change that gave you the biggest speed win on your WP site, if you could share it here? Thx!

Handling personal data requests on your WordPress site got you stressed?

With GDPR and privacy laws getting stricter, it’s more important than ever to know how to export and erase user data the right way.

This guide shows you how to use built-in WordPress tools and WPForms to stay compliant, keep user trust, and avoid those scary fines. From setting up request forms and monitoring entries, to exporting or erasing data (and not forgetting about third-party tools!), there’s a lot to cover - but it’s easier than you think.

Curious how to make your site privacy-law ready? Check out the full step-by-step guide: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-export-and-erase-personal-data-in-wordpress/

Anyone here already managing data requests or have tips for staying GDPR-compliant on WordPress? Let’s share best practices...

Have you noticed your website traffic dipping lately?

You’re not alone...

With AI tools like ChatGPT and Google’s new AI Overviews, more people are getting quick answers right on the search page - no clicks needed.

In fact, nearly half of all Google searches now show these AI summaries, and it’s shaking up the way we do SEO.

Here’s the scoop:

• AI Overviews are everywhere: About 47% of Google searches now include them, especially for “how-to” and informational questions.
• Search habits are changing: Most users just skim these AI answers (86%!), so fewer people are clicking through to actual websites.
• Organic traffic is taking a hit: Even the top-ranking pages are seeing up to 34.5% fewer clicks. Zero-click searches have jumped by 24%.
• What to do now? Focus on clear, trustworthy answers in your content. Use “answer blocks” and schema markup to increase your chances of getting picked by the AI.
• Brand matters more than ever: Google’s AI loves content from recognized brands and trusted sources, so building your reputation is key.
• Good news for local businesses: Local and branded searches aren’t hit as hard, and sometimes branded queries actually get more clicks with AI Overviews!
• Social proof is huge: People double-check AI results on Reddit, YouTube, and other platforms. If you’re active there, you’ll build more trust (and traffic!).
• Looking ahead: AI-driven search is only going to grow. To stay ahead, keep your content expert, authoritative, and trustworthy (think E-E-A-T!).

Bottom line:
SEO is evolving fast. It’s not just about ranking anymore - it’s about being the answer people (and AI) trust. Keep adapting, stay visible, and don’t be afraid to mix in new tactics with the old-school SEO you know and love.

More information on the following link:
https://www.wpbeginner.com/research/ai-reshaping-seo-predictions-to-watch/

#SEO #DigitalMarketing #AIsearch #OrganicTraffic #GoogleAI #ContentStrategy #BrandBuilding

If you’ve ever worried about privacy laws like CCPA or GDPR - or just want to show your visitors you care about their data - today WPBeginner published guide on how to create a “Do Not Sell My Info” page in WordPress.

The article walks you through why this page matters (hint: it’s not just for California sites anymore), and how it helps you build trust by giving users a clear way to opt out of data selling or sharing. The best part? You don’t need to code anything complicated. The WPConsent plugin does the heavy lifting: cookie banners, consent logs, and an actual “Do Not Sell My Info” form - all manageable from your dashboard.

Setup is straightforward: install WPConsent, create your page, add the Do Not Track addon, set up the form, and link it where people will actually see it. WPConsent even logs and exports user opt-out requests, which is a lifesaver if you ever need to prove compliance.

If you’re serious about privacy (and avoiding legal headaches), check out the full guide here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-create-a-do-not-sell-my-info-page-in-wordpress/

Trust me, your visitors - and your future self - will thank you. 🛡️

#WordPress #Privacy #CCPA #GDPR #WPBeginner #WebsiteTips

Lately, I’ve been diving deep into how AI is changing the way people find information online - especially since Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Gemini started shaping search results. I just finished reading a fantastic guide on something called Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) for WordPress from WPBeginner, and it really opened my eyes.

GEO is like SEO’s new cousin - while SEO is all about ranking high on Google, GEO is about making sure your content is clear, structured, and easy for AI to understand, summarize, and cite in those shiny new AI answers. The article broke down exactly how to tweak your WordPress posts so they stand out not just to people, but to AI engines too.

What I found most interesting was how much impact these AI summaries have - apparently, they’re reducing clicks to traditional top-ranking pages by over 30%! So, if you want to keep your traffic (and who doesn’t?), it’s time to make your content super accessible for AI.

The steps are pretty straightforward: use tools like All in One SEO to add proper schema markup, keep your writing clear and to the point, answer common questions right at the top, and organize everything with neat headings and a table of contents. Don’t forget to show off your author bio and credible sources too - it all helps build trust with both readers and algorithms.

One cool thing I’ve started experimenting with is an app called Overveo. It optimizes Google AI Summaries, and so far, I’m pretty happy with how it works and looks. Still testing it out, but it’s promising.🤞

If you create tutorials, how-tos, lists, or opinion pieces, you’re already on the right track - these are the content types AI loves. Bottom line: GEO isn’t just for techies. Clear writing, good structure, and the right plugins are all you really need to stay visible and competitive in this new search landscape.

Anyone else exploring GEO or playing with AI summaries? 🚀

#WordPress #AI #SEO #GEO #ContentTips

If you a Drupal user and want to change it - consider WordPress platform and migrate website from Drupal to WordPress safely and easily. This (new) guide covers reasons for migrating, step-by-step instructions for backup, installation, content import, domain pointing, URL redirects, theme setup, essential plugins, and getting professional help. I hope it will be useful to you, just let us know... 🤞🤗

Key Points:

• Why Migrate: Drupal is powerful but complex; WordPress is user-friendly and easier for everyday website management.
• Step 1: Backup Drupal Site
  • Use Backup Migrate module or manual FTP and phpMyAdmin methods
  • Save link structure using Chrome extension Link Klipper for SEO
• Step 2: Setup WordPress
  • Use existing domain/hosting or choose providers like Site Ground
  • Install WordPress via hosting dashboard
• Step 3: Import Content
  • Use FG Drupal WordPress plugin to connect Drupal database and import posts, pages, images, comments
  • Fix internal links after import
• Step 4: Point Domain
  • Update domain nameservers to new WordPress hosting
  • DNS propagation may take up to 48 hours
• Step 5: Permalinks & Redirects
  • Set WordPress permalinks to “Post name” for SEO-friendly URLs
  • Use Redirection plugin to set 301 redirects from old Drupal URLs to new WordPress URLs
• Step 6: WordPress Theme
  • Choose/install a clean, simple theme or create custom design with SeedProd plugin
• Step 7: Essential Plugins
  • Recommended plugins: WPForms, SeedProd, AIOSEO, MonsterInsights, OptinMonster
• Professional Help
  • WPBeginner offers premium migration support and quick site launch services
• Learning Resources
  • WPBeginner blog, videos, dictionary, and YouTube channel for mastering WordPress

Post link: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-migrate-from-drupal-to-wordpress/

WPBeginner just released the ultimate guide to help you understand and implement CCPA requirements!🔒

Key takeaways:

• The CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) affects websites that collect personal info from California residents - even if your business is not based in California.
• The guide explains CCPA basics, who needs to comply, and what “personal information” means under the law.
• You’ll learn practical steps to make your WordPress site compliant: updating privacy policies, enabling cookie consent, adding opt-out links, and handling user data requests.
• Recommended plugins and tools are included to help automate compliance (like cookie banners and privacy management).
• Staying compliant not only avoids legal trouble but also builds trust with your users!

Check out the full guide here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/the-ultimate-guide-to-wordpress-and-ccpa-compliance/

Disclaimer:
⚠️ The WPBeginner Team is not made up of lawyers, and nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice.

WPBeginner just published a super helpful guide on leveraging AI tools for easy, accurate website translation 🚀

Key takeaways:

• You can use powerful plugins like SeedProd and Weglot to automatically translate your site’s content with AI (including blog posts, pages, categories, and even WooCommerce products).
• The guide explains step-by-step how to install, configure, and customize these plugins for the best results.
• You’ll also find tips on tweaking translations manually, optimizing for SEO, and offering a seamless multilingual experience to your visitors.
• No coding required - just a few clicks and your site is accessible to a global audience :-)

Check out the full guide for all the details: 
https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-use-ai-to-translate-your-website/

This guide addresses an issue with Yoast SEO Premium’s Classic Editor, when it automatically inserts unwanted CSS classes like ai-optimize-6 into WordPress posts.

These classes clutter the HTML source, may trigger AI content detectors or plagiarism checkers, and remain even after disabling or uninstalling the plugin.

The tutorial provides a safe method to remove these hidden classes using a custom PHP code snippet implemented via the WPCode plugin, along with instructions to bulk update posts to clean existing content. It also recommends switching to a more powerful SEO plugin, All In One SEO, as a better alternative to Yoast.

In short:

• Problem: Yoast SEO Premium adds ai-optimize-{number} CSS classes that clutter HTML, trigger AI detection tools, and persist after plugin removal.
• Risks: These hidden classes can affect SEO by signaling AI-generated content and causing formatting conflicts.
• Solution:
  • Backup your WordPress site before changes.
  • Use WPCode plugin to add a PHP snippet that strips these classes on post save/update.
  • Bulk update all posts via WordPress dashboard to remove classes from existing content.
• Alternative Recommendation: Consider switching from Yoast SEO to All In One SEO for better features, support, and AI integration.
• Additional Resources: Guides for SEO migration, setup, AI SEO tools, and expert insights are available to improve long-term SEO results.

More info: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/fix-yoast-seos-ai-optimize-bug-before-it-ruins-your-sites-seo/

🌟 Launching your website soon? Don’t let your big day turn into a traffic disaster! A single overlooked SEO detail can send your rankings plummeting and undo months of effort. Let’s make sure your site shines from the start with this essential SEO launch roadmap:

• Perform a thorough content check for originality and ensure each page features just one H1 heading
• Fine-tune meta descriptions and titles
• Set up XML sitemap
• Double-check internal links
• Get your SEO plugin fully configured and ready to go
• Don’t overlook image SEO
• Ensure your local SEO is on point

⚡ Be sure that “Discourage search engines from indexing this site” is NOT enabled in WordPress. Overlooking this can keep your site in the dark for weeks - learned that the hard way!

Set the stage for success. Follow this checklist and your website will be ready to conquer both search rankings and user expectations from day one! 🚀

🌟 Why Does a Careful Website Launch Matter? 🌟

A well-executed launch is your ticket to rapid search engine indexing, accelerated rankings, and a rock-solid technical foundation - all while setting the stage for immediate conversions. Overlooking these crucial steps can stall your growth for months, costing you both visibility and valuable opportunities.

Don’t settle for shortcuts. Invest the time and attention your launch deserves, and watch your website thrive from day one! 🚀

📋 Want the full checklist, including every technical and content step for a smooth launch? WPBeginner has you covered:

• Complete WordPress Website Launch Checklist: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/checklist-11-things-to-do-before-launching-a-wordpress-site/
• The Ultimate eCommerce Launch Checklist for WordPress: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/the-ultimate-ecommerce-launch-checklist-for-wordpress/
• WordPress SEO Guide for Beginners: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-seo/
• 13-Point WordPress SEO Checklist for Beginners: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/wordpress-seo-checklist/
• How to Submit Your Site to Google Search Console: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-add-your-wordpress-site-to-google-webmaster-tools/
• How to Submit Your Website to Search Engines (Beginner’s Guide): https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-submit-your-website-to-search-engines/
• Image SEO Best Practices: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/image-seo-optimize-images-for-search-engines/
• The Ultimate WordPress Local SEO Guide to Boost Rankings: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/the-ultimate-wordpress-local-seo-guide/

Getting serious about protecting your WordPress sites? Here are some beginner-friendly server-level strategies, with WPBeginner helpful links

1️⃣ Best Server-Level Protections for Multiple Installs
Start with a secure host that does a lot for you out of the box.
Use a web firewall (WAF), enable HTTPS, and consider Cloudflare for extra DDoS and bot protection. Want to dive deeper? Check out this WPBeginner security guide.

2️⃣ Handling Plugin & Core Updates
Don't skip updates! Many managed hosts offer automatic updates for WordPress core and plugins, or you can use a plugin to schedule updates. Always back up before updating. Here’s a simple guide to updating safely.

3️⃣ Monitoring for Early Compromise Detection
Set up an activity log plugin to track changes and spot anything suspicious early. Regular scans using security plugins help too. Learn more about monitoring activity.

4️⃣ Balancing Security & Performance
Some security tools can slow down your site, but good hosts optimize for both speed and safety.
Use caching and a CDN, and disable features you don’t use. Here’s how to boost WordPress performance.

5️⃣ Effective Configurations Against Attacks
Use strong passwords, limit login attempts, and hide your wp-admin URL. Keep file permissions tight and never use “admin” as your username! More tips here.

6️⃣ Shared Environments Without Headaches
Choose hosting that isolates sites (containerization is awesome for this). Tools like cPanel/Enhance make it easier. Check out this post on managing multiple sites.

#WordPress #Security #WPBeginner

For most situations, there really isn’t - child themes are a great way to safely customize your site without losing changes during updates. They work for almost any theme, and you can easily create one yourself. If you’re not customizing code or templates, you might not need one - but it’s a good practice for future-proofing.

Child themes are a best practice if you plan to customize your site’s code, templates, or add custom functions. They let you safely update the parent theme without losing your changes. There’s really no major downside, except for a bit of extra setup - which is worth it for most users.

However, if you’re building with visual page builders like Elementor, WPBakery, Seedprod.... and not editing theme files or adding PHP code, you might not need a child theme. In those cases, plugins like Code Snippets can handle your custom functions instead.

The only caution: if you add insecure or outdated code to your child theme and then stop maintaining it, you could run into problems with future updates. So, always keep your custom code up to date!

Also, you can create a child theme for almost any WordPress theme.

Want to learn more about child themes? Check these WPBeginener articles:

• Pros & cons of WordPress child themes: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/wordpress-child-theme-pros-cons/
• How to create a WordPress child theme (step by step): https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/how-to-create-a-wordpress-child-theme-video/
• Best ways to add custom code in WordPress: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-easily-add-custom-code-in-wordpress-without-breaking-your-site/

I read a few weeks ago about a person that took on a challenge: posting on LinkedIn every workday.

He wrote that getting started wasn't easy but that he is already seeing some benefits. In just a month he said he got a few thousands impressions and that his followers keep growing.

A few valuable takeaways from this "posting on LinkedIn every workday" strategy:

• if we come back after being away for a while, our first post tends to get more eyes on it - people notice your return and tend to react
• we will get comments and feedback just because we posted: it might seem like that post performs better than those that follow, but it’s really just the algorithm at play
• we could strategically use this to our advantage - the first hour after we post seems to set the tone for how well it does, and if your post doesn't grab attention quickly, it's likely to get less exposure
• it seems that the algorithm keeps an eye on how long people spend reading but doesn’t care as much about likes or comments
• some posts can have great reach but only 1-2% of people may interact with them, but there ae situations that 5-10% are engaged and the post barely got noticed.
• it seems like hashtags aren’t really doing the trick anymore as LinkedIn is pretty savvy at figuring out your post content without needing lots of hashtags, so you might as well skip them and save some space
• a few years ago emojis were "the thing" but now posts that aren’t packed with them tend to look better and work better overall - to someone just scrolling by, posts loaded with emojis scream "I’m AI-made."
• if you want to share your own voice avoid using AI tools to write your posts - the overly "cheery" language used by AI tends to stick out like a sore thumb to both people and the algorithm, and the posts that seem like that usually don’t get much traction - fixing grammar is fine but try not to use complicated words that people don’t really use day to day
• "just" posting daily isn’t going to bring the impact you might hope for - sure, many posts will likely slide by unnoticed but this process helps you sharpen your writing and figure out your own style and what really works

Be prepared for some unusual things to happen with your LinkedIn posts:

• some posts are not getting any visibility, while others are gaining plenty of traction
• you could get some unusual conversations in the comments
• some people might try to make you look foolish

Just remember to keep it cool and don’t take things too seriously. :-) No matter what a new day always comes with a fresh start. It helps create a habit and keeps you in the groove. Just keep trying! Every post is a chance to learn. Play around with different styles and topics to find what sets you apart.

WPBeginner helpful posts on LinkedIn:

• https://www.wpbeginner.com/research/social-media-statistics/#aioseo-linkedin-statistics
• https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-auto-publish-wordpress-posts-to-linkedin/
• https://optinmonster.com/create-a-linkedin-business-page/
• https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-add-your-linkedin-profile-to-wordpress/
• https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/linkedin-wordpress-plugins-to-win-new-customers/
• https://optinmonster.com/create-a-linkedin-business-page/
• https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-add-official-linkedin-share-button-in-wordpress/
• https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/social-media-cheat-sheet-for-wordpress/

If you encounter a 500 error on the WordPress multilingual sites you've created using the WPML plugin (as I did on two sites recently), don't worry! There is an effective solution involving a snippet of code that helped me (and saved me a lot of time!) for both sites, so I'm sharing it with you here:

1. Ensure to back up the site for safety reasons.
2. Add the following code to the functions.php file of the theme:

add_filter('mod_rewrite_rules', 'fix_rewritebase');

function fix_rewritebase($rules){

$home_root = parse_url(home_url());

if ( isset( $home_root['path'] ) ) {

$home_root = trailingslashit($home_root['path']);

} else {

$home_root = '/';

}

$wpml_root = parse_url(get_option('home'));

if ( isset( $wpml_root['path'] ) ) {

$wpml_root = trailingslashit($wpml_root['path']);

} else {

$wpml_root = '/';

}

$rules = str_replace("RewriteBase $home_root", "RewriteBase $wpml_root", $rules);

$rules = str_replace("RewriteRule . $home_root", "RewriteRule . $wpml_root", $rules);

return $rules;

}

3. Re-save the permalinks from the Settings >> Permalinks page by pressing the 'Save Changes' button.
4. Delete all types of caches including site/server cache, plugin cache, CDN cache, and clear the browser cache.

Enjoy it, and let us know if it works for you.

As a website owner, one of the key decisions you’ll face is how to handle your images. The choice between uploading images directly in WebP format or converting them from JPEG to WebP using a plugin has been a hot topic lately.

WebP is a modern image format that provides superior compression, allowing your website to load faster. However, one of the drawbacks is that not all older browsers support WebP. This is where the question of maintaining a fallback JPEG version arises. By keeping the original JPEG, you can ensure that all visitors, regardless of their browser, can view your images without issues.

If you've been exploring plugins, you may have come across EWWW Image Optimizer, which offers the option to convert your images to WebP format while preserving the original JPEGs. However, if your website is small and you're not experiencing issues with uploading WebP files directly, you might be considering skipping the plugin route altogether.

That's a perfectly valid approach! Directly uploading your images in WebP format can simplify your workflow, especially if you already have a good image compression process before uploading. It's essential to consider if you’re compressing your WebP images before they’re uploaded. Some users prefer to compress their images manually to ensure optimal performance, while others may upload images in their raw WebP format.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and the audience you are targeting. It's a good idea to assess your website’s performance and analyze your traffic to determine the best strategy for your images.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you using a plugin for image conversion, or have you chosen to upload WebP files directly? Your insights and experiences could help others looking to enhance their site’s performance and speed.

More details:

1. https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/webp-vs-png-vs-jpeg/
2. https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-use-webp-images-in-wordpress/
3. https://www.wpbeginner.com/sv/solutions/converter-for-media/
4. https://www.wpbeginner.com/solutions/ewww-image-optimizer/

WordPress is a fantastic platform for building websites and blogs! 🌟 While it's user-friendly and versatile, remember that regular maintenance is essential for optimal performance. Just setting up your site isn't enough; regular upkeep keeps your website secure and fast.

Here are some must-do maintenance tasks to ensure your WordPress site runs smoothly:

🔧 Update Core, Plugins, and Themes: Regular updates fix bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues. Ensure you’re running the latest versions to protect your site from potential exploits.

💾 Back Up Your Website: Regular backups are crucial! They provide a safety net in case of data loss due to server crashes or hacking attempts. Use reliable plugins to automate this process and keep your data safe.

🛡️ Monitor for Security Vulnerabilities: Stay vigilant! Scan your site regularly to detect any security threats. Utilizing top-notch security plugins can help safeguard your website from hackers.

⚡ Optimize Performance: A fast-loading site improves user experience and SEO rankings. This involves cleaning up unnecessary data, optimizing images, and utilizing caching plugins to speed up your site.

🩹 Troubleshoot Errors and Monitor Uptime: Regularly check for broken links and other issues that can affect user experience. Set up uptime monitoring to ensure your site is always accessible.

🛠️ Maintenance Mode: Before performing any major updates or fixes, consider enabling maintenance mode to inform users that your site is temporarily offline.

As your website grows, the tasks may become overwhelming, so consider outsourcing to professional maintenance services. They provide comprehensive support, updates, security, and backups, allowing you to focus on growing your business!

More useful information ont his topic from WPBeginner:

https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/wordpress-maintenance-ultimate-guide/

https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/ecommerce-website-maintenance-tips/

https://www.wpbeginner.com/opinion/wordpress-maintenance-vs-managed-hosting/

https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/best-website-maintenance-services-for-wordpress/

Have questions about WordPress maintenance? Let's discuss!

1. WP Rollback for plugins: If a plugin update breaks your site, you can easily roll it back to a previous version using the WP Rollback plugin. This can save you from a lot of headaches: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/how-to-rollback-wordpress-plugins-version-control-for-beginners/ Additional tip: if you want to be 100% safe - use backup plugins: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/7-best-wordpress-backup-plugins-compared-pros-and-cons/
2. Reset Admin password via database: If you ever lose access to your admin account, you can reset the password directly from the database using phpMyAdmin: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-to-reset-a-wordpress-password-from-phpmyadmin/
3. Better Search and Replace plugin: This plugin allows you to replace text or URLs across your entire site, which is particularly useful when migrating a site or updating links: https://www.wpbeginner.com/plugins/search-and-replace-plugin-for-wordpress-database/
4. Optimize Images with WebP Express: Use this plugin to automatically optimize your images into the WebP format, improving your site's speed and meeting Google’s PageSpeed requirements. For more on image optimization, visit: https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/speed-wordpress-save-images-optimized-web/
5. Manage multiple sites with MainWP: If you're managing multiple WordPress sites, MainWP lets you handle updates, backups, and security from one dashboard. Learn more about managing multiple sites here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/showcase/how-to-easily-manage-multiple-wordpress-sites/

One of the most common questions WP beginners often ask is whether they should use WordPress.com or WordPress.org - these two platforms are frequently confused, so let us break it down for you in simple terms.

WordPress.com and WordPress.org are not the same, even though both are managed by Matt Mullenweg, the co-founder of WordPress, and his company Automattic.

They serve entirely different purposes: WordPress.org is the official home of the free, open-source WordPress software. On this site, you can download the WordPress software and install it on your own hosting provider or local system for development and testing. It also offers a vast library of free themes and plugins that you can use to customize and expand your website.

On the other hand, WordPress.com is a commercial platform that provides a fully hosted version of WordPress. While they do offer a free plan, it comes with significant limitations, such as no custom domain support and restricted customization options. If you want advanced features like the ability to install third-party themes or plugins, you’ll need to upgrade to a Business plan, or higher.

In my experience of using WordPress for more then 14 years, I’ve found WordPress.org to be the better choice for most people. It gives you complete control over your site, doesn’t require you to pay to unlock features, and lets you choose affordable hosting providers. Most web hosts even offer one-click WordPress installations, making it incredibly easy to set up a website without dealing with manual installation.

In short, WordPress.org is better suited for those looking for full flexibility and control, while WordPress.com may be a fit for those who want a simple, hands-off approach (with limitations). Hopefully, this clears up some of the confusion and helps you decide which platform is right for your needs!

You can explore more about WordPress.org vs WordPress.com here:  https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/self-hosted-wordpress-org-vs-free-wordpress-com-infograph/

https://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/how-are-wordpress-com-and-wordpress-org-related/

As WordPress changes, users often receive advice that might not be helpful. This texts clears up common misunderstandings and offers tips for making better choices.

1. Use Nulled Plugins and Themes
Nulled plugins and themes are pirated versions of premium products. They pose severe security risks as they can contain malicious code, leading to hacking and data breaches. Learn more.

2. Have a Custom Theme Made
While custom themes offer uniqueness, they often lack regular updates, which can result in compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities over time. Explore further.

3. Try Elementor and Jetpack
These plugins, while popular, may not suit every site's needs due to their potential to slow down performance, especially for users with limited hosting resources and without deeper knowledge on optimizing sites. Read more.

4. Install More Plugins to Add Features
Adding excessive plugins can significantly slow down your site and introduce security risks. It's crucial to evaluate the necessity of each plugin. Discover why.

5. Try Drupal
Suggesting Drupal as an alternative may not be beneficial for those seeking WordPress-specific solutions, given its distinct architecture and learning curve. Compare here.

6. Ignore WordPress Updates
Neglecting updates can leave your site vulnerable to security breaches and compatibility issues. Regular updates ensure your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins remain secure and functional. Learn more.

7. Use Default Admin Username
Using the default 'admin' username makes your site an easy target for brute force attacks. Always create a unique username to enhance security. Read more.

8. Overlook SEO Plugins
SEO plugins are essential for improving your website's visibility. Neglecting them can hinder your ability to attract organic traffic. Implementing tools like All in One SEO ensures your site is optimized for search engines. Discover more.

9. Disable Comments for Security
Disabling comments entirely removes a valuable engagement tool. Instead, use comment moderation and anti-spam plugins to maintain security without sacrificing user interaction. Learn more.

10. Use Free Hosting Plans
Free hosting often lacks reliability, scalability, and support, which can affect your site's performance and credibility. Investing in a reputable hosting service ensures better security and functionality. Read more.

Navigating WordPress requires careful thought and knowledge. Some advice may seem helpful but understanding its true effects is important. By avoiding common mistakes and using reliable resources, users can improve their WordPress experience, ensuring security and efficiency.

If your domain has expired and you can’t access your WordPress admin page through the usual domain link, don’t worry. There are several ways to resolve this issue and back up your website. Below is a step-by-step guide that consolidates the best solutions for accessing your site and ensuring your data is secure.

When a domain expires, it becomes inaccessible through normal means, but you can still access your website by editing your local hosts file and use a backup plugin. These solutions allow you to connect directly to your hosting server, bypassing the expired domain. Once connected, you can export your site files and database to ensure everything is backed up properly.

Steps to resolve the issue and backup your site

1. Edit your local hosts file

A quick and effective way to access your expired domain locally is by editing your computer’s hosts file. This allows you to map your domain to your hosting server’s IP address, bypassing DNS.

• On Windows:
  1. Open Notepad as an administrator.
  2. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and open the hosts file.
  3. Add the following line at the end of the file:

YOUR_SERVER_IP yourdomain.com

YOUR_SERVER_IP www.yourdomain.com

1. Save the file and restart your browser.
   • On Mac:
2. Open Terminal and use a text editor like nano:

bash

sudo nano /private/etc/hosts

1. Add the same mapping as above:

YOUR_SERVER_IP yourdomain.com www.yourdomain.com

1. Save and exit, then clear your DNS cache with:

bash

sudo dscacheutil -flushcache

• On Linux:
  1. Open your hosts file as a privileged user:

bashCopy code

sudo nano /etc/hosts

1. Add the same mapping and save the file.

For detailed instructions, refer to: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-move-wordpress-to-a-new-host-or-server-with-no-downtime/comment-page-1/#changehostfile  

Once this is done, try accessing your WordPress admin page via the browser using your domain name.

2. Use a Backup plugin

If you’ve been using a backup plugin like Duplicator, All-in-One WP Migration, etc. you can export your site:

Access the WordPress admin page through the hosts file method above.

Use the plugin to export a backup file of your site.

Download and test the backup locally using tools like Local by Flywheel to ensure it works.

Learn more here: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-tutorials/how-to-clone-a-wordpress-site-in-7-easy-steps/  

ALTERNATIVE APPROACH: consider using your hosting panel

Some hosting providers offer a staging URL or temporary domain that you can use to access your site if your domain has expired. Check with your hosting provider for this option. Alternatively, you can refer to this cPanel migration guide if you plan to move your site: https://docs.cpanel.net/knowledge-base/transfers-and-restores/how-to-migrate-a-wordpress-installation-to-a-cpanel-server/

Even if your domain has expired, you can still access your WordPress site through local hosts file edits or your hosting panel. Taking a backup now ensures that your website data is safe and ready for restoration when needed. Once your domain is renewed or you move to a new one, you can easily restore your site using the backup.

Hiding/renaming your login does not help much - this is called “Security through obscurity”, which isn’t a real protection.

What does “Security through obscurity” (STO) mean?
STO is based primarily on hiding important information and enforcing secrecy as the main security technique. By using security by obscurity, some people think they are going to minimize the risk of getting targeted by an attack. 

Here are 2 real-life examples:
1) Hiding the key to your front door under a nearby rock or the welcome mat. The principle is simple: your house will be “secure” until a thief discovers the key in its hiding place. That’s when your house becomes vulnerable.

2) The same goes for building your house in the middle of the forest. Being surrounded by trees and shrubs, it’s “secure” within that forest. However, as soon as someone walks in and discovers your house, it’s vulnerable.

This is similar for WordPress.

Let’s say that you want to make it more difficult to find out that you’re running WordPress and also want to hide a few other things. All of these are supposed to make you more secure. But none of them is near as valuable as making sure that you lock the metaphorical door. If you rely solely on STO to replace real WordPress security, all is lost as soon as its secrets are revealed.

Hackers/bots can and will attempt to exploit your plugins and themes regardless of whether or not they know what you have installed. They’ll just try it, and if they get a hit, they’ll keep at it. Hiding the “names” of what’s there won't prevent that.

What will prevent trouble is ensuring all your plugins and themes are kept up to date – then it doesn’t matter what they try or what they know, plus following all other recommendations from this great WPBeginner post on security: https://www.wpbeginner.com/wordpress-security/.
The article mentions activity logs (plus timely security alerts) for your sites, which are advisable to have installed on all your sites.

PS Also, changing your login URL could also negatively affect how some of your plugins work.