Update WordPress

Upgrading to the latest WordPress version will make your website load faster. It also keeps your website secure from any malicious code or content. The newest version of WordPress always comes with extra features and it usually fixes any issues from the previous versions.

Whenever there is a new update available, you will get a notification to update your website on the admin dashboard. The notification has a link to update to the latest WordPress version. It also sends an email to the site administrator about the newest version release.

If you’re not using the latest version of WordPress update now. Make sure you backup your site first!

Update Plugins

Updating your WordPress plugins to the latest versions can often reduce high CPU usage. If you’re running an old version take a moment to update now.

You can go to the Plugins » Installed Plugins page in your WordPress backend (admin area) to update your plugins one by one.

Avoid beta versions of plugins

Whilst it’s cool to be at the cutting-edge, only use stable versions of WordPress plugins. Sometimes early release versions (also known as alpha or beta) can have bugs in the code which can cause CPU spikes.

Install a caching plugin

Caching plugins such as W3 Total Cache and WP Super Cache can dramatically reduce CPU load by caching static copies of your pages on your webspace.

Static files use less CPU and memory. Keeping you within your shared hosting limits.

Disable WP-Cron

WP-Cron manages all the scheduled events in your WordPress site. WP-Cron is a very common cause of high CPU loads as it is called every time someone visits your website.

Disabling WP-Cron and replacing with a real cron job can drastically reduce CPU-load and prevent the chances of your account being suspended due to exceeding your resources.

It can be simply disabled by add command [ define(‘DISABLE_WP_CRON’, ‘true’); ] at “wp-config.php” below line “define(‘DB_COLLATE’, ”);”

Only use plugins you really need

Do you really need that plugin that constantly checks for broken links? – The more WordPress plugins you have installed, the longer your site will take to load

Deactivate and delete any plugin that you don’t need. Aim for just a handful of plugins. This will speed up your site and keep your visitors happy.

If you’ve disabled plugins you don’t need, and still have high CPU usage you’ll need to try debugging each plugin to see if it’s the cause of the CPU spike.

First, make sure you’ve taken a backup of your entire WordPress site (files and database). Now try disabling each plugin one by one until the CPU load has been resolved.

Once you have found the faulty plugin you should hopefully be able to reenable the others without seeing the CPU problems.

Avoid buggy WordPress Themes

A badly written WordPress Theme or one written with demanding features such as server-side image resizing can be CPU intensive. To rule out problems with your WordPress theme try the following:

Check error logs for problems.

Login to cPanel and check the Error logs for errors.

Contact the theme developer and ask if there’s any known issues.

Disable any dynamic features built into the theme such as thumbnail resizing. Some WordPress themes have their own image resizing modules which can cause high CPU usage.

If possible we recommend disabling them in favour of using the more efficient image resizing built into the WordPress core.

Reduce widgets

There may be certain widgets that aren’t essential. Check them thoroughly and remove the ones that may not be beneficial for the readers.

The more widgets you use the more strain you are enforcing on the server. Hence, to lower server load and CPU usage, get rid of unwanted widgets.

Lower PHP or Database calls

PHP scripts and database calls also consume a lot of CPU resources. Caching your sites helps but certain database/PHP calls cannot be avoided.

Hence, you should go through the plugins documentation carefully and disable the unnecessary options.

Lower load on index.php file

At peak hours, your homepage may create a load on your server during the peak hours. To lower this load, ensure keeping your homepage simple.

Try to lower the number of posts on your homepage and remove unwanted files, links and high resolution images. It would be even better if you choose a CDN service like Amazon Cloudfront

Use PHP 7.4

Switching to PHP 7.4 can dramatically speed up your WordPress website, reducing loading time and freeing up CPU and memory.

We recommend testing a staging version of your website with PHP 7.4 before changing the production version. Kindly, check our Knowledgebase on how you can change your PHP version from cPanel–> MultiPHP Manager

Disable XML-RPC upload

Add below rules at .htacess to prevent xmlrpc.php. This may prevent xmlrpc.php attack to your domain.
# Block WordPress xmlrpc.php requests

order deny,allow
deny from all

Restrict WordPress Admin Area

Please follow the link to secure admin area.
https://www.afeeshost.com/wp-tutorials/11-vital-tips-and-hacks-to-protect-your-wordpress-admin-area/

Protect the wp-config.php file

If you use a server with .htaccess, you can put this in that file (at the very top) to deny access to anyone surfing for it:

order allow,deny
deny from all

Change the permission of wp-config.php to 0400

Disallow file editing

If a user has admin access to your WordPress dashboard they can edit any files that are part of your WordPress installation. This includes all plugins and themes.

If you disallow file editing, no one will be able to modify any of the files – even if a hacker obtains admin access to your WordPress dashboard.

To make this work, add the following to the wp-config.php file (at the very end):

define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true);

Secure wp-includes

The wp-includes folder houses WordPress core files that nobody should have the need to tamper with. To make absolutely sure it doesn’t happen, use the following code at .htaccess.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^wp-admin/includes/ – [F,L]
RewriteRule !^wp-includes/ – [S=3]
RewriteRule ^wp-includes/[^/]+\.php$ – [F,L]
RewriteRule ^wp-includes/js/tinymce/langs/.+\.php – [F,L]
RewriteRule ^wp-includes/theme-compat/ – [F,L]

Do you’ve something you want to share with the world? Awesome!

There’s never been a better time than now to share your creativity, products and concepts with people anywhere in the world.

Creating a website is easier than most people expect it to be.

Before we go over the steps concerned, it’s helpful to think about exactly what you need your website to do for you.

How Can A Website Assist Me?

1. Publish a weblog.

Whether you’re sharing your ideas for fun or revenue (or both), you need a website to function as a home for your blog.

2. Build your online business.

Most individuals look online for places to buy, so a website is a must if you would like customers to find you.

3. Showcase your portfolio.

For those who’re a freelance photographer, author, website designer, or another type of independent worker, a web-based portfolio can show prospective clients what you do and why they need to hire you.

portfolio website hosting small business website hosting Blog website hosting
Feeling inspired yet?

Next, we explain the way you get a website for your small business.

What Do I Need to Create a Website?

You’ll need to get three things to set up your website: a domain, a website host, and site content material. If this is all new to you, it may assist to think about the process like throwing a house party – only you’re starting by building the house.

1. Your Domain Name

The 1st step is selecting and registering a domain name. Your website domain is just like the lot where you will build your site. Every domain has a name, just like every house has a street address, so guests can find you.

2. Website Hosting

Next you’ll need choose a website hosting service to handle the development and wiring. Your web host gives the space, hardware, access, and security your website will need.

3. Site Content material

When you’ve gotten a domain and a host, you’re ready to put up content material to create your website. This is the step where you choose a template to prepare website content like your a blog, portfolio, an online shop, and more. Think of it as furnishing your new house to delight your guests.

When all that’s in place, you’re ready to throw a housewarming party and launch your website. With a reliable web host taking care of access, security, and storage,  you can focus on making your visitors comfortable and helping them find what they want.

How Does Web Hosting Work?

Your website hosting gives 4 basic things:
Website hosting is like components of a house

1. File storage:

The picture, text, and design files that make your website appear like it does are stored on a server – a pc maintained by your web hosting service. These files are sort of like your party décor, music and snacks – the rationale people come to your house parties.

2. Hardware:

The server where your website files are stored is often one of many servers stored together in a data center. Keeping all this in a single place makes it easier for your hosting service to keep it updated and working properly. is just like the furniture, lights, and plumbing in your own house.

3. Uptime:

The amount of time when your website files are available to visitors is “uptime.” Uptime of 99.9% is the industry standard for web hosts. You don’t want friends to drop by and discover that your website is unavailable, just like you don’t want party guests to find your house locked and empty when they arrive.

4. Security:

On the web, pranksters and criminals are always making an attempt to break into servers, files, and websites to cause mayhem or steal information. Your web host’s security measures protect your website from break-ins, similar to your home security system retains people from breaking into your home.

A very good web host will also include other services and tools that make setting up your website easier and faster, like:

Round the clock live support so you can work on your site anytime and get help if you want it.
Free templates for your website so you’ll be able to create a professional looking website in just a few clicks.

Unlimited email hosting so you’ll be able to create professional e-mail addresses for yourself and your staff or blog contributors.
Spam filters, because who wants spam?
Automatic website backups to protect your website files as your site evolves and grows.

How Much Does A Website Cost in Nigeria?

As versatile and powerful as websites are, they’re also remarkably cost-effective compared to other advertising strategies throughout history. For lower than ₦210 monthly you could get
5 kilos of feed for service pigeons (pigeons and messages not included).
50 large postcards to mail to potential clients (postage not included).
Your very personal website with the potential to achieve greater than Three billion web customers.
Cost of website hosting

Does a website seem like a better match for you than postcards or pigeons? We agree.

Do I Need to Pay for Web Hosting?

Can you use a free internet hosting service instead of getting your hosting? You can, but you’re taking a risk that the free service may shut down your website if…
you run afoul of their rules,
people complain about your website, or
something happens outside your control that takes the service offline.
It’s like making an attempt to throw a party at your parents’ place: Their home, their rules. What did they always say? “If you pay the payments, you can make the rules.” There you go.

There are different potential issues, too.

Having the free internet hosting model’s brand on your pages and in your URL makes your small business look amateur to visitors. If you gained’t spend cash on your small business, why ought to they?

Limits on bandwidth from free website builders may cause you to miss sales if a product or promotion goes viral.

Don’t limit your self or your website. Choose web hosting that helps your goals as your small business grows.

Ready to set up your website?
Get started with AfeesHost.