WordPress is a widely loved and globally used Content Management System that has allowed people from non-technical backgrounds to repair and rebuild their sites themselves. Today, if you want to repair your WordPress site, you do not have to hire a technical expert or developer; WordPress’s user-friendly interface will help you through the process itself.
WordPress is also one of the most targeted CMSs of all time. 73.2% of all WordPress websites have been targeted at some point by cybercriminals. So, if this has ever happened to you, then you might want to reinstall your core software. But, how to do that without an expert? Well, do not worry, we have it covered for you:
1. Automatic software installation
We know you want the easy way out of this ASAP. WordPress allows you the option of installing your software automatically. Here is how you do it:
- Click on the dashboard in the sidebar menu.
- Go to updates in the sidebar itself.
- On the left side of your screen, you can see a “Reinstall Now” button.
- Click on it, and the software will install itself automatically.
2. Installation through File Transfer Protocol
If, for some reason, your dashboard isn’t working or you wish to perform the entire process manually, then you can install your software through FTP.
Here is its process:
- Hop on to WordPress.org and install the latest WordPress version.
- Files will get downloaded in a ZIP format. Extract them to your preferred location.
- Once extracted, find the “wp-content” folder and delete it.
- Once done, copy the remaining files and paste them into the folder where you have installed your WordPress.
- The folder must be named as “public” or “public_html.”
- You might see a dialog box saying, “Target file already exists.”
- Select the overwrite option from the dialog box, and you have successfully reinstalled the WordPress software.
3. Software Installation through WP_CLI
WP_CLI is essentially a developer’s command-line tool that eases the developer’s work to add or remove databases, users, passwords, and posts. It is also used to troubleshoot performance glitches and manage many other tasks. If both the options mentioned above do not work, then you can use the WP_CLI command.
Use this “wp core download --skip-content –force” command to download the WordPress software.
Note: You won’t be able to retrieve your previously installed themes or plugins in this option.
Repair and Rebuild your Broken WordPress Site by following these six tips.
1. Keep your security plugins up to date.
To fend off attacks, your security plugins should be in good condition. If you find them to be corrupt, then you must reinstall your WordPress plugin(s). On the other hand, if they are outdated and the latest versions and security patches are available, you must install them immediately. Hackers always try to keep themselves a step ahead of developers. They develop lethal malwares that outdated software versions cannot repel.
2. Install the SSL certificate
SSL certificate encrypts the data transfer between two communicating entities. Through symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, SSL helps develop a secure network for communication.
But a standard single-domain SSL certificate won’t do the job if you have multiple subdomains as; for that, you will need to buy Wildcard Certificate that can encrypt both the primary and first-level subdomains of your website.
3. Be visible to search engines.
You have created a complete website, but still, nobody is visiting your site. No, the problem does not lie with the content; it is your privacy settings. Ensure that you turned off privacy settings on your site to allow search engines to crawl and understand your site. Even after doing that, if you do not see a change, you must check the robot_txt file in Google’s webmaster tools. Ensure that your XML sitemap is created and registered in Google’s webmaster tools section.
4. Broken links are a big NO.
Nothing annoys a visitor more than a broken link. Suppose you have made a great website, uploaded high-quality content but, due to some error, visitors are redirected to some other miscellaneous link; chances are he would never come back. Broken links not only harm your reputation in your customer’s eyes but in Google’s eyes as well.
The search engine giant punishes websites by decreasing their search rankings. So, to avoid such a situation, it is best to run a site audit from time to time. You can even hire companies to audit your site and help you fix loopholes.
5. Check for malware and WordPress updates.
Although a CMS as big as WordPress has cyber experts who are always looking for openings that hackers can exploit, which is why WordPress is quick to roll out updates from time to time. But it cannot protect your computer from hackers. You need to install anti-malware protocols and firewalls for that.
Hackers have gained expertise over time and are now worrying even big players like WordPress and Google. Thus, it is best to create a secure environment for your website and computer to work.
6. Create a backup on the cloud
This one is a no-brainer, yet so many businesses fail to realize its importance. Backups help companies retrieve data whenever they need it, you can create backup databases offline where you can save a copy of your files on your computer; on the other hand, you can make cloud backups by buying cloud storage. The best part about cloud storage is that you can access the cloud files even from remote locations. Backups do not allow your business to sink, as you can retrieve your data in case of any atrocity.
To Conclude
WordPress is one of the most recognized Content Management Software in the world. It is 100% reliable. Even if you are not a tech-savvy ninja, you can still understand WordPress inside out. However, much like any other platform, WordPress is also susceptible to cybercrimes. With so many cyberattacks happening every day, it is not easy to maintain a website’s safety and security. But, if you install necessary tools like SSL certificates, reinstall core software, and keep it updated, you can easily repel these attacks.
So, follow these six steps mentioned above and rebuild your website in a way that no cybercriminal can penetrate your defense.
