While headlines focus on breaches at large corporations like M&S, Harrods, and the Co-op, it’s often small business websites that are most vulnerable—specifically because they’re targeted by automated attacks that look for common, avoidable weaknesses.
The good news? By taking a few straightforward steps—and maintaining them regularly—you can stop most of these threats in their tracks. That’s exactly where a WordPress Care Plan adds value.
Why Small Business Websites Are a Prime Target
Unlike large corporations, most small business websites don’t have dedicated security teams. Automated bots continually scan the internet for WordPress websites with outdated plugins, weak passwords, or poorly configured user accounts. A single vulnerability can be exploited in seconds.
This is why proactive maintenance and consistent monitoring are critical. Many site owners set their websites live and forget about them—but WordPress isn’t a “set and forget” platform.
8 Essential WordPress Security Tips
Here are the key steps every WordPress site owner should take to reduce the risk of being hacked:
1. Install a WordPress Security Plugin
A plugin like Wordfence adds a firewall, malware scanning, and real-time threat defence to your site. It’s an essential layer of protection.
2. Remove the Default “Admin” Username
Leaving the username as “admin” makes your site an easy target. Create a new admin account with a unique name and delete the default one.
3. Avoid Using Your Domain as a Username
Hackers often guess usernames based on domain names. Choose something less predictable.
4. Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Avoid simple passwords. Use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass to generate and store complex, secure passwords.
5. Keep WordPress Core, Themes & Plugins Updated
Outdated software is the #1 way sites get hacked. WordPress releases regular updates for security and performance. If you don’t have time to manage updates, a Care Plan can take care of this for you—safely, and with proper testing.
6. Promptly Remove Old Users
Employees or contractors no longer working on your site? Delete their accounts as soon as they leave to avoid unnecessary access points.
7. Assign the Right User Roles
Only give users the access level they need. If someone just needs to edit blog posts, don’t make them an administrator.
8. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an extra layer of security on top of passwords, making it far harder for attackers to gain access, even if your login credentials are leaked.
What If Something Still Goes Wrong?
Even with the best precautions, things can go wrong. That’s why regular, offsite backups are critical. If your site gets compromised, a secure backup allows for a quick recovery with minimal downtime.
How a WordPress Care Plan Protects Your Website
At Lens Digital, our WordPress Care Plans include the above steps and more. We help clients secure their websites through:
- Ongoing plugin, theme, and core updates
- Regular offsite backups
- Proactive security scans and firewall setup
- User role audits and best-practice account management
- Technical support if something does go wrong
Conclusion
Securing your WordPress website isn’t just about installing a plugin—it’s about consistent, ongoing care. A WordPress Care Plan ensures that your site is protected, monitored, and supported, so you can focus on running your business with peace of mind.
Need help securing your website?
Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about how our Care Plan can support your WordPress site.
