A website that’s both reliable and fast is non-negotiable. Downtime can be costly, and a slow website can send your visitors to competitors quicker than it takes for your site to load. Here are some best practices to keep your website up and running smoothly:
The concept of bundling hosting and monitoring services can make sense on the face of it. It simplifies your web management by centralizing everything with a single provider. There’s no need to juggle multiple accounts or remember different login credentials. It also appears cost-effective, or even free as an add-on. But nothing in this world is free; if you’re not paying with money, you’ll pay in other ways.
The foundation of a reliable and fast website begins with your hosting provider. Go for a reputable hosting company known for its uptime record and server performance. Shared hosting can be cost-effective, but if your website experiences heavy traffic, consider a Virtual Private Server (VPS) or dedicated hosting for more resources and better speed.
Large image and file sizes can slow down your website. Compress images and minify CSS and JavaScript files to reduce load times. There are several tools out there than can help automate this process.
Leverage browser caching to store static files like images, CSS, and JavaScript in a visitor’s browser. This reduces the need to download the same resources repeatedly and speeds up subsequent visits to your site.
Regularly monitor your website’s performance and uptime. We’re biased here. But we recommend using a service that alerts you not only when your website is down, but when it goes below your ideal page speed. Take it another step by using keyword monitoring to further secure your site against hijackers.
Security breaches can not only cause downtime but also damage your website’s reputation. Use strong passwords, employ SSL certificates for secure connections, and consider a web application firewall (WAF) to protect against malicious attacks.
Ensure your website is responsive and mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes mobile-friendly sites in search rankings. A mobile-optimized site not only improves SEO but also provides a better user experience, enhancing reliability. A huge percentage of web surfing is done on mobile devices.
Bad things can happen to anyone. Be prepared. Always have a backup plan. Regularly back up your website to prevent data loss in case of a server failure or cyberattack. Make sure you can quickly restore your site from these backups. Implementing these best practices will not only keep your site up and running but also provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for your visitors. From choosing a reliable hosting provider to monitoring your site’s performance, these steps are crucial for maintaining a website that’s both dependable and fast. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to a website that can perform under the pressure of today’s users’ expectations.