As an elite brand, your website is more than just a digital space, it’s your virtual brick-and-mortar store. Just as you wouldn’t leave the doors of your physical store unlocked overnight, you shouldn’t neglect the security of your website. Keeping it secure isn’t just about avoiding inconveniences; it’s about safeguarding your brand’s reputation, protecting your customers, and ensuring uninterrupted growth.

As your trusted web design expert, I’m here to share the best practices for keeping your site secure without stress. Let’s walk through them together.

1. Never Email Your Username and Passcode Together

Security starts with the basics, and one of the biggest risks is exposing sensitive login details. If you ever need to share access with a trusted team member, never send both the username and passcode in the same email.

Instead, take an extra step for security:

✔ Email one credential (either the username or passcode).

✔ Send the other via text or another secure channel.

This way, even if an email account gets compromised, hackers won’t have everything they need to access your site.

2. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Admin, Editor, and Contributor Accounts

Your website’s backend holds valuable data and brand assets. This is why keeping it locked down is non-negotiable. Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second step to verify login attempts. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they won’t be able to access your site without the second authentication factor.

Ensure all administrative, editorial, and contributor accounts have 2FA enabled. Many security plugins offer built-in 2FA options, or you can use third-party authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

3. Change Your Passcode Frequently

Your website’s passcodes should be as dynamic as your business. Changing them every three months reduces the risk of unauthorized access and ensures old credentials don’t become liabilities.

When updating passwords:

✔ Use strong, unique passwords (a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters).

✔ Avoid using personal information like birthdates or common words.

✔ Consider using a password manager to generate and store secure passwords safely.

4. Login Often Or Have a Pro Monitor Your Site

If you don’t have an active maintenance plan with a professional (which I highly recommend), make it a habit to log in to your website at least once a month. Just as a store owner walks through their physical location to check for security vulnerabilities, your website needs the same level of attention. Regular check-ins help you catch issues early, including:

✔ Theme or plugin update errors that could break your site.

✔ Security alerts or breach attempts that might indicate hacking activity.

✔ Unusual user activity, such as failed login attempts or unauthorized changes.

✔ Fraudulent transactions or spam form submissions.

✔ Expired SSL certificates or domain issues that can impact security and trust.

✔ Broken links, missing images, or slow load times that can harm user experience and SEO.

If you’d rather focus on running your business and leave the tech to the experts, investing in a professional maintenance plan ensures that your site stays updated, monitored, and secure without you lifting a finger.

Elevate Your Website Security with Expert Support

Security is not a one-time task but it’s an ongoing commitment to protecting your digital presence. By implementing these best practices, you take proactive steps to secure your website and brand. But if you want an extra layer of assurance, consider working with a dedicated web professional who can handle security, updates, and performance monitoring for you.

Your brand deserves a safe, seamless online experience. Let’s make sure your website stays protected, so you can continue to shine without disruption.

Need expert security and maintenance? Book a session with us.