Bonus: Download a free checklist of the first plugins that I always install on a new WordPress Blog.
When is the last time that you checked in on your blog? Yes, you are logged in daily or weekly but are you paying attention?
Are you ignoring the nagging updates?
I will be honest, right here and now. I ignore the updates and notes.
About once a quarter you need to do a quick blog check up. You will want to set aside about an hour of your time to go thru these 6 questions.
Do this quick and Easy 6 point WordPress Blog Checkup
Note: At this moment do not update your plugins. You don't want to do a plugin update unless you have updated your blog.
Test Out Your WordPress Plugins
Now keep in mind that this is not a deep dive audit, this is just a checkup. We will do a deep dive together in the future.
For now, we are checking for function. An example of this would be, making sure your shortcodes still work. A decent portion of my blog posts, have associated podcast episodes. I use a shortcake to upload these episodes on the post. So I went back and spot checked a few older episodes to make sure the plugin is still function.
For this step go ahead and log out of WordPress. This way you can test the site as a visitor. Send yourself a note from your contact form.
While you are logged out of WordPress, go ahead and test your social share buttons. How do the shares look on the social site?
Note: As a result of doing this type of checkup, I changed what social plugin is running on the site. I noticed that the post was not being shortened and the title was not being picked up. Something was conflicting between my theme and the plugin.
The WordPress plugins that you run will be different than the ones that I run. Take this time and walk thru your blog as a user. Click on things freely such as related posts, sidebars etc.
2. Clean Out Your Blog Spam
Note: Go ahead and login to your blog again.
Do you have a lot of spam on your blog? This is a great time to go ahead and clean it up.
3. Add Captcha To Your Contact Form
I recommend adding Captcha to your Contact Form if you haven’t already. Cuts down a lot on the spam emails to your site.
If you noticed that you have a ton of spam or you are receiving quite a bit from your contact form, go ahead and take care of that now. Just Google "your contact form + captcha" and you will likely find instructions.
If you use Contact Form 7, this is a great plugin that you can use: https://wordpress.org/plugins/contact-form-7-recaptcha-extension/.
4. Is It Time For A Blog Redesign?
Is it time to upgrade my site? This is a tough question because a redesign can be time consuming & costly. A lot changes in the developer world in 2 years.
A blog redesign is a subjective question but there is one sure fire yes or no question. Is your blog mobile responsive? If the answer is no, then you should immediately start considering a redesign.
Beyond the mobile responsive issue, just go with your gut instinct on this. A blog redesign can be a challenge and will likely cost you a few bucks. In 2015, I redesigned my blog twice and it cost me about $100 total.
My blog is currently running Thrive Theme Squared: and I am thrilled with it. Check out this article about blog design: https://www.iteachblogging.com/blog-redesign-story/.
5. Blog Frequency Goals?
How’s your blogging frequency? Are you reaching your goals, or you may need to revisit how to get more posting done.
Sometimes when we set blogging goals for ourselves, we can be a bit ambitious. Ambition is good but over ambition can lead to discouragement. If you find that you are not reaching your goals, take a moment to reevaluate.
Remember, it is your blog and therefore you get to make the rules. Can you realistically find more time for blogging? If so great. If not, seriously consider dropping your frequency.
Whatever you do, don't stop blogging out of frustration.
6. Are You Using A SEO Plugin?
Not just installed but USING it. I use Yoast. FYI Yoast is a form you fill out for every post. Time consuming but worth it.
Conclusion
Remember, your blog is just like any machine and it requires maintenance from time to time. I have created a short infographic below that will guide you thru the steps discussed in this post.
Go ahead and print it out or save it to your computer. Then you can reference it once a quarter and check up on your blog.
I hope that you are achieving all of your goals and that your blog is running perfectly. When I did this check up at the end of the year, I had two main areas that needed to be addressed. The first, as I mentioned, was that my social media buttons were not working properly. The second issue was that I was not hitting my frequency goals.
In 2016, I plan to release an epic post every 6 weeks. What would you add to this list?
“And please do me a little favor and share this guide with others, for there’s a good chance that it will help them with their blogs.”
Thrive Leads Shortcode could not be rendered, please check it in Thrive Leads Section!
Absolutely great suggestions. I forget how much time goes by and plugins that were working that are now broken. Good stuff!
SUPER important to keep your blog from getting hacked!
Hi Renee
What a helpful post this is fro bloggers who have created some great content, to step back and take a look at where it’s going, how accessible it is and if people are finding it. Your post check-lists this perfectly Thanks Richard
Richard,
Thank you so much. I am glad to know that you got it and hopefully it inspires you keep blogging.
-Renee’
Hello,
I was glad to read your article and the other articles on your site. I definately need this tips on adding pages . Thank you for the great information.
Lori English
Lori,
That is good to hear. I hope that you utilize these tips to grow your blog.
-Renee’
What a great list of checkups! One thing I hadn’t thought of was redesigning the blog, and I love what you did with that!
Susan,
Yep, that is a darn nice design that you got there, even if I do say so myself. :)
-Renee’
Great reminder to get off the complacency coach when it comes to our site and to make sure everything is working well. I have some very old plugins, which I need unfortunately, and the developers haven’t updated them in a long time. It is creating some workarounds for me, but that is worth it compared to having to fix everything removing them would bring. I am heading to my site soon to delete all the spam comments on my blog. Your point about them possibly slowing my site, hit home. Thanks Renee!
Beverley,
Yes, when those vital plugins get old, it causes pain for sure. Good on you for deleting your spam. You won’t regret that for sure.
-Renee’
Great reminder. I like looking at my site In Incognito mode so I can check how others are seeing the site.
Sabrina,
I hope that incognito mode went well for you. Hopefully, this post has inspired you.
Blog on,
-Renee’
I seem to always find myself doing many of the things (in addition to others)…mostly while I am sitting on a webinar and I zone out and start multitasking.
Rachel,
Ha ha! I love that your “zoning” out is working on your blog.
-Renee’
Great tips. I have a helper when it comes to this stuff, but eventually I should learn more, and these tips are great places to start.
Reba,
Good luck on your deep dive. These things take time but they are sure important and well worth your time.
Blog on,
-Renee’
I update anything that needs to be done every week since I am putting my blog on the site each week. As you know, I surely update my Yoast.. and you are right.. soooo important.. but too many rely on Yoast to do the work.. or don’t get how to use it… sadly.
Kristen,
Well it takes time to learn all of these different tools. It is easy to push off what we don’t like or what we don’t understand. However, there comes a moment for most bloggers when they realize how critical it is.
-Renee’
Our webdesigner coach works with us to update & check. We redesigned our site & blog last year & everything was & is running smoothly. We check every blog as soon as we publish.
Roslyn,
That is so great to hear. You gotta love having help to stay up to date.
-Renee’
I feel I’m in good shape as I’m doing everything suggested except the redesign. That will be the next project. I very like your theme and the layout is easy on the eyes .
Joyce,
Thank you for the nice words about my theme and layout. I love this Thrive Theme for sure. It has served me well. Good luck on your future redesign.
Blog on,
-Renee’
Hey Renee :)
Awesome tips for maintaining your WordPress blog!! I do these things , so I am on the right path to making sure my blog is up to date and running smoothly!
Thanks for sharing these awesome tips! Very important and valuable :)
Joan,
That is great that you are already doing this. It is nice to hear that WordPress is running smoothly for you.
Cheers,
-Renee’
This is so helpful! I’m definitely saving this! Thank you!
Tina,
I am glad to hear. I hope that it really helps you with your blog.
Blog on,
-Renee’
I really need to update my plugins. I keep saying that, but I get so nervous about crashing my blog that I’ve been putting it on hold for ages. Thanks so much for the reminder! Hope you are enjoying your weekend :)
Charlotte,
Yes, I hear you on that nervous feeling. The key is to make sure that your blog is backed up first. If you have that happening you are golden.
Good Luck!
-Renee’
What a great list of checkups! Thanks for sharing.