My Top 3 Tips for Effective Website Maintenance

5 Things You Should be Doing on Your WordPress Website (& You Probably Aren’t)

In today’s episode, I am sharing the 5 things you should be doing on your WordPress website that you probably aren’t. By ensuring you have all of these things done, you will have a clean, optimized and secure site and you can feel confident that you are set up for success! In This Episode: * [0:44] Where I’ve been and a free virtual summit * [2:44] The difference between a theme and a child theme * [4:07] Many premium WordPress themes include a child theme and the parent theme in it’s files * [4:33] How to easily create a child theme * [5:17] How to check if you are using a child theme * [5:38] An important note about using child themes * [6:22] Why you need to change your login URL when using WordPress * [7:40] My favorite plugin to change the login URL is WPS Hide Login * [8:10] Tips for changing your login URL * [8:21] You need to change your permalink structure * [8:51] My favorite permalink structure * [9:49] What to look out for when changing your permalink structure * [10:34] My favorite plugin for redirects * [11:11] The one thing you need to be doing on your website no matter where it is hosted * [13:09] Install a security plugin * [13:57] A reminder to back up your site before you make any changes Links Mentioned: * The Success-Driven Solopreneur Summit: https://thesuccessdrivensolopreneur.com/ [https://thesuccessdrivensolopreneur.com/] * Siteground: https://lindseyaleson.com/siteground [https://lindseyaleson.com/siteground] * WPS Hide Login: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wps-hide-login/ [https://wordpress.org/plugins/wps-hide-login/] * Redirection: https://wordpress.org/plugins/redirection/ [https://wordpress.org/plugins/redirection/] * The Contract Shop: https://thecontractshop.com/ [https://thecontractshop.com/] * Wordfence: https://www.wordfence.com/ [https://www.wordfence.com/] * WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess] Connect with Me on Social Media: * Facebook Group: The Lovely Entrepreneur Society [https://www.facebook.com/groups/thelovelyentrepreneursociety/] * Instagram: @lindseyaleson [https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaleson/]

My 7 Favorite WordPress Plugins for ANY Website

In today’s episode, I am sharing my 7 favorite WordPress plugins for any website. I am a total WordPress geek and I love being able to take the functionality further while still maintaining a fast and healthy site. So in this episode I not only cover plugins for the design side but also for the tech and security side. These plugins are super easy to use and all have a free version! In This Episode: * [0:59] What exactly a plugin is * [1:13] My favorite page builder plugin and when you need one * [2:34] A plugin to extend the Elementor page builder plugin even further and what types of elements you can find * [4:22] A plugin that allows you to duplicate pages and posts * [4:47] An essential plugin lets you add code to your header or footer, this is perfect for inserting your Facebook Pixel * [5:40] My favorite plugin to connect Google Analytics to your website * [7:04] The easiest to use SEO plugin that lets you set Facebook and Twitter link images * [10:53] No need for bit.ly with this plugin, it is time to make your links pretty and branded * [12:31] My favorite security plugin and why * [15:20] A bonus plugin for all of your backup needs Links Mentioned: * Elementor: https://elementor.com/ [https://elementor.com/] * Essential Addons for Elementor: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/essentialaddons [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/essentialaddons] * Insert Headers and Footers: https://wordpress.org/plugins/insert-header-and-footer/ [https://wordpress.org/plugins/insert-header-and-footer/] * Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights: https://www.monsterinsights.com/ [https://www.monsterinsights.com/] * Yoast SEO: https://yoast.com/ [https://yoast.com/] * Pretty Links: https://prettylinks.com/ [https://prettylinks.com/] * Wordfence: https://www.wordfence.com/ [https://www.wordfence.com/] * UpdraftPlus: https://updraftplus.com/ [https://updraftplus.com/] * WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess] Connect with Me on Social Media: * Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society:https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com [https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com/] * Instagram: @lindseyaleson [https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaleson/] Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review onApple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast/id1518885850],Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pt9uNtMctYRT3MfVYwVBh],Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast], or Google Play [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWF1dHlhbmRoZXJiaXoubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M]! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

My Top 3 Tips for Effective Website Maintenance

In today’s episode, I am tackling a topic that tends to stress many people out, and that is website maintenance. I want to take that fear and stress away and show you that creating an effective website maintenance practice is easier than you think! Because with a good practice, what you are really doing are the steps to hopefully prevent a problem in the future. And when you look at it like that, it really isn’t that scary! So sit back and dive into my top 3 tips for effective website maintenance! In This Episode: * [0:50] How your website is like your car * [1:45] How platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly differ from WordPress in terms of website maintenance * [3:33] Always backup your website before you make any updates and then on a regular basis * [4:00] How often you should be backing up your WordPress website * [5:40] How many backups you should be keeping * [5:57] What you need to do before you update any plugin or theme * [6:21] How WordPress, themes and plugins relate to each other * [8:10] My favorite backup plugins * [10:13] Update your plugins, themes, and WordPress at least once a month. * [11:12] What updates really include * [12:01] The best order to make updates * [14:10] What you should do after each update * [15:03] Keep your site secure with a security plugin * [15:35] My favorite security plugin * [17:02] How I keep up with my website maintenance Links Mentioned: * Interested in a website maintenance package? Email me at hello@lindseyaleson.com [hello@lindseyaleson.com] * WordPress Success Free Guide: https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess] Connect with Me on Social Media: * Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society:https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com [https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com/] * Instagram: @lindseyaleson [https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaleson/] Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review onApple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast/id1518885850],Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pt9uNtMctYRT3MfVYwVBh],Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast], or Google Play [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWF1dHlhbmRoZXJiaXoubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M]! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

The 5 Most Overlooked Parts of Your Website and What To Do With Them

I am very excited for today’s episode. As a web designer, I love a good looking website. And I make snap judgements about businesses based on their website. #sorrynotsorry Because really in this day and age, how hard is it to have a beautiful website? But having a good looking website isn’t enough to get your customers or clients. It needs to be strategic too! In This Episode: * [1:03] What I really mean when I say a beautiful website. * [1:14] Design is what catches your eye. It makes the FIRST IMPRESSION. * [1:36] Why you need a strategically planned website. * [1:59] Why the footer shouldn’t be overlooked as a useless part of your website. * [2:21] What to include in the footer of your website. * [2:45] Should you ever have a sidebar on your website? * [2:58] When and where a sidebar should be used and what to include in it. * [5:30] Why just having a contact form on your contact page is a missed opportunity. * [6:12] What to include on your contact page. * [7:10] How to strategically plan your services page. * [9:11] Why the about page is the one page I consistently see people get so wrong. * [10:00] Why a CTA (or call to action) is absolutely necessary on your about page. Links Mentioned: * WordPress Success Free Guide:https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess] Connect with Me on Social Media: * Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society:https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com [https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com/] * Instagram: @lindseyaleson [https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaleson/] Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review onApple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast/id1518885850],Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pt9uNtMctYRT3MfVYwVBh],Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast], or Google Play [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWF1dHlhbmRoZXJiaXoubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M]! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.

5 Web Design Mistakes and How to Fix Them

In today’s episode, I am sharing 5 common web design mistakes and how to fix them. I come across WAY too many websites that have one or more of these mistakes and it just makes them come off as unprofessional. But there is no reason to, because they are also super easy to fix! In This Episode: * [0:46] Your website is not responsive and why that matters. Hint: how we access websites today is very different than several years ago. * [1:47] How to find out if your current website is responsive. * [2:23] How to fix a website that isn’t responsive. * [4:34] Choosing bad fonts and what exactly classifies as a bad font. * [6:41] The fix for bad fonts on your website. * [7:04] Just because a font is in your brand doesn’t mean you have to use it on your website. Readability comes first. * [7:54] Your content isn’t scannable and that is a HUGE issue. * [9:35] How to update your content and make it scannable. * [10:55] Poor navigation – you never want a visitor to get to your site and not know how to find something. * [12:54] How to fix your navigation if it isn’t cutting it. * [13:08] Don’t have hard to find contact information, or even worse, no contact info.. * [14:35] What to include on your contact page and where to link it. * [15:19] What to do if you don’t want to make your email address public. * [15:44] A bonus web design mistake to avoid and how to fix it! Links Mentioned: * Astra WordPress Theme (my favorite WordPress theme):https://wpastra.com/ [https://wpastra.com/] * WordPress Success Free Guide:https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess [https://www.lindseyaleson.com/wpsuccess] Connect with Me on Social Media: * Facebook Group – The Lovely Entrepreneur Society:https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com [https://www.thelovelyentrepreneursociety.com/] * Instagram: @lindseyaleson [https://www.instagram.com/lindseyaleson/] Subscribe + Review: If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so very grateful if you left a 5 star review onApple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast/id1518885850],Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pt9uNtMctYRT3MfVYwVBh],Stitcher [https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/beauty-and-her-biz-podcast], or Google Play [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZWF1dHlhbmRoZXJiaXoubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M]! Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode.