Your website’s security is one of the most important aspects of online business. After all, if you are trying to run a business, you do not want your site to go down or to have your customers’ data stolen. This would not only rob you of potential profits but also do devastating damage to your reputation. To avoid that, here are 7 simple ways to improve your website security.
Find a good security plugin
The first step to improving your website security is always incorporating a strong security plugin into your site. Most sites nowadays seem to run using WordPress, which is very convenient considering the platform’s many plugins. Including amazing free plugins such as All In One WP Security & Firewall. This is especially ideal if you are just starting out and can’t really afford the paid versions yet.
Most of those cost around sixty dollars a month for their ‘professional’ versions, which is actually not that bad at all. Some of the cheaper ones only cost around one hundred dollars for a whole year of professional support and security services. What recommends them, even more is that they tend to have all sorts of other useful features too. For example, most offer malware scanning and site backup services at no additional charge.
Be careful with what you allow onto your website
Naturally, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that you shouldn’t lightly select anything that affects the way your website runs. You may be spoilt for choice when it comes to WordPress plugins. But, if you are careless and go for some new, free, or especially cheap ones, you may end up in more trouble than they’re worth. They can pose security risks of all kinds.
And some are even made by malicious parties who build backdoors into their code that would allow them to access your site’s data if you use their plugin. Another thing you need to learn about running a website is that website themes can be fraught with similar risks. In other words, anything you incorporate into your site has a chance of backfiring on you.
Make sure your passwords are safe
Having a strong password is the most basic of basics when it comes to efforts to improve your website security. However, the experts from Movers Development warn that ignoring such ‘basics’ is a very risky thing to do. You do not want to use a weak password only to have someone actually guess it. That is one embarrassing way to lose a ton of data and your site.
At the same time, keeping your password ‘safe’ is just as important. Do not just give out your access details to every employee. And even if the employee is trustworthy, make sure to instill the importance of not just letting the password lie around on sticky notes on them. Access details should also never be shared over social media or sketchy chatting apps. In fact, it is best not to share them online at all.
Add two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication is vital for both you and your site’s users. On your end, it can prevent many problems, even if someone manages to get their hands on your password. Especially if the authentication is bound to a mobile phone device since the password would be rendered useless without the phone if someone is trying to access your site from a new location.
At the same time, it also serves to protect the safety and privacy of your users. User experience is vital for SEO and customer satisfaction, which is what you need to successfully run a business website, to begin with. In other words, you only stand to benefit from adding two-factor authentication to your site with little to no drawbacks. If one had to be named, it’s that logging in would take longer.
Use strong encryption
In this day and age, you really shouldn’t be running a business website without using SSL data encryption. This is one of the few ways to ensure that your data will not be easily cracked and stolen for use by scammers and other unsavory sorts. Of course, this is not exactly a perfect measure. And even major platforms such as Google have suffered from data breaches in the past where tons of users had their passwords and personal information compromised. However, it is in your best interest to protect yourself and your customers to the best of your ability.
Work only with reliable web hosts
Another possible venue to improve your website security is carefully vetting your potential website hosts. After all, if they are not serious about security and keeping their customers protected, then it is very easy for your site’s data to land in the hands of hackers and data thieves. Just as your users would have their passwords and personal info stolen if someone hacks your website, you are facing the same risks if someone hacks your website host.
Hire expert help
Just as one of our best social media tips for small businesses is hiring someone to manage your online accounts, our final piece of advice on how to improve your website security is to hire professionals to help you. Here are lots of options out there when it comes to hiring someone for this job.
If you opt for one of the more expensive security plugins, you may even be eligible to receive support from security experts. This is an excellent option if you do not want to look for someone yourself. Of course, this is still just a complementary service in the end. It is not as comprehensive as the one from a business dedicated to security support.
Final advice on ways to improve your website security
As you can see, most of our 7 simple ways to improve your website security can be achieved with little additional expense. And yet, they are all crucial ways to boost your security to the maximum. Note that ways to overcome security measures are always being developed. As such, new means of defending your website are always being invented, too. You need to stay on top of such developments in order to be safe!