Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. It happens. But when the error occurs in a Website, which you've put a lot of time and effort to build on, it can be frustrating to go back and start over, no matter how bad the mistake.
As a WordPress developer, you know how it works. You have also familiarized yourself with the various problems that can arise. As a result, you've probably already added a few methods to your workflow in order to mitigate and quickly resolve any issues that may arise.
So what do you do with the issues that crop up outside of your development process? "Wash your hands" after handing over the site to the customer while wishing them good luck? As a professional, you know that saying “this is no longer my problem” is unethical. You also know that maintaining relationships with your customers (Current and former) Is essential for your business.
If something should happen at a customer's site after completing the job, you must be prepared to step in and resolve the issue immediately. Or, better yet, you need to have additional steps built into your own workflow that will save your customers (and yourself).
How to prevent errors on WordPress
Here is a list of practice to add to your workflow. They will allow you to correct errors faster on WordPress or to avoid them.
Step 1: Add a tutorial
Before giving a new Website to a client, be sure to provide documentation that will get them started quickly. It's true that it's not your job to teach your client to use WordPress, but for your client who doesn't really know WordPress, you must provide them with beginners guides, which will prevent them from causing problems. by mistake on their sites.
Step 2: Put yourself forward
Every web developer should give their WordPress site with a custom background. This not only allows you to advertise your business, but allows the customer to always have in mind that he can contact you in case of trouble.
With a plugin like " Ultimate Branding You can create custom messages and modules on the dashboard, as well as ad slots.
Step 3: strengthen security
Can you trust your customers to maintain strict security standards when using their website ? No, probably not. So, rather than waiting for the latter to use a generic account “ admin »With a password« 1234", You must enforce various security measures:
- Two-factor authentication.
- The bcrypt hash.
- and passwords should not be optional.
4 Step: Automate Backup
Your customers are going to be concerned with the idea of securing their websites, but they probably don't know how to keep it secure or they'll think they don't have to worry about it yet. You know that the data can be lost or stolen at any time and having a site that is regularly backed up is not optional.
If you don't want to have to recreate a website or redo recent changes because there was no backup in place, give your customers a system that will automate the process for them. The Snapshot plugin can help you in this case.
5 Step: Automate Updates
Automation is a wonderful thing for developers. You set up a process to run autonomously in the background. This way, you never have to worry about whether your customers have upgraded WordPress to the new version, as you will have a process that will take care of doing that for you.
If you are looking for a tool to help you automate this process, but also to give you the ability to control what can and cannot be updated, you can check out our tutorial on managing WordPress updates.
Step 6: Restrict file permissions
If your clients plan to make updates to their website in the future and are not seeking help from a developer, hopefully these changes are minimal, not requiring code updates . However, files, especially the "wp-config.php" file which should always be moved above the root of theaccommodation, which will put it far from the reach of users and hackers.
The WordPress codex provides useful guidelines that you can follow when the allocation of the appropriate authorizations.
Step 7: Restrict user access
When it comes to restricting user access on WordPress, some would say it's as easy as going to users and updating roles. However, these predefined rules are not always sufficient:
- If you want to have even more control over user access and capabilities, try the " Members ».
- If you want to control who can use the visual editor, you can use the plugin " Disable Visual Editor ».
- If you want to control the different types of content (articles, pages, categories, media, and more) which can be accessed, the plugin Advanced Access Manager " will do.
Finally
Think about the security of your customers' sites and the people who use their dashboards, as you will with yours. Obviously, their goal isn't to damage their own site or intentionally wreak havoc on their dashboard, but it can happen and you need to be able to fix that. Rather than waiting to react when the error occurs, you need to have a proactive plan in place when you are developing websites.
I hope you can better secure your clients' websites. Feel free to share your tips in the comments.
