For many businesses, a website is the first point of contact with a brand, so keeping it secure should be a priority, not an afterthought.
If your website is ever compromised, you might lose access to your site, see a drop in traffic or face difficult conversations with customers about how their data has been handled. Even smaller security issues can undermine trust and create unnecessary disruption.
The good news is that many of the most effective security measures are straightforward and don’t require you to have advanced technical knowledge. In this blog post we’re sharing seven practical steps you can take to keep your website safe and secure.
1. Use a strong password
Passwords are still one of the most common ways attackers gain access to websites, so using a strong password is non-negotiable. Your password should be long, unique and not based on information that could be guessed, such as your date of birth or business name. It also shouldn’t be used anywhere else.
Rather than trying to remember complex passwords, using a password manager can help. These tools create secure passwords for you and store them safely, so you only need to remember one main password. It also reduces the temptation to reuse passwords across multiple systems.
It’s also sensible to change passwords from time to time, particularly if multiple people have had access or if you are unsure how securely a password has been shared in the past.
When a password needs to be shared, avoid sending it via email or text message. A secure one time password sharing service is a safer option, as it limits who can see the password and for how long.
2. Set up two factor authentication
Two factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of protection to your login process. Instead of relying on a password alone, it asks for a second form of confirmation to prove it really is you.
In most cases, this second step is a short code generated by an app on your phone or sent to you via text message or email. After entering your password, you open the app and enter the code shown. The code changes every few minutes, which makes it much harder for someone else to gain access, even if they have your password.
This extra layer of protection is important because passwords can be stolen or guessed without you realising. 2FA helps prevent unauthorised access and significantly reduces the risk of your website being compromised.
Many websites support authentication apps such as Google Authenticator or Duo. These apps are free, easy to set up and simple to use.
3. Update admin permissions
Most websites have more than one user account, especially if developers, agencies or freelancers have been involved over time. As people join and leave your business, or work on your website on a project basis, it’s common for old user accounts to be left in place.
Regularly checking who has admin access helps reduce unnecessary risk. Anyone who no longer works on the website should have their access removed. For current users, permissions should match what they actually need to do. Not everyone needs full control over the site.
It’s also important to check that the email addresses linked to admin accounts are correct and in use. These emails are often used for password resets and security notifications, so they need to be monitored.
4. Use SSL
An SSL certificate helps protect information as it moves between your website and its visitors. One simple way to check for SSL is to look at your website address. If it starts with https, the connection is secure.
SSL is particularly important if your website collects any personal information, such as contact form submissions, login details or payment information. It plays a role in protecting user data and ensuring you are compliant with GDPR.
Without SSL, browsers may show warning messages that suggest your site is not secure. This can put people off visiting your site altogether. Search engines also favour secure websites, so not having SSL can affect your visibility in search results.
In most cases, SSL is set up through your hosting provider, and many include it as part of their standard package.
5. Back up your website
Backups give you a way to recover your website if something goes wrong. This could be due to a security issue, a failed update or accidental changes.
There are tools that make backups easy to manage. Plugins such as Updraft can automatically create copies of your website and store them securely. Many hosting providers also include automatic backups as part of their service.
Even if your hosting provider offers backups, having an additional backup in place provides extra peace of mind. The key is knowing that, if needed, your site can be restored quickly.
6. Keep plugins up to date
Plugins are small pieces of software that add specific functions to your website, such as contact forms, booking systems or search engine optimisation features.
Keeping plugins up to date is essential for security, as updates often include fixes for issues that have already been identified, including security vulnerabilities. Ignoring updates can leave your site exposed.
Before updating plugins, always take a backup of your website. This ensures you can undo changes if an update causes a problem. Applying updates regularly is usually a quick, straightforward task and helps to maintain the security and reliability of your site.
7. Consider using a security plugin
Security plugins help monitor your website and protect it from common threats. One of their most useful features is regular scanning, which checks your site for signs of malware, suspicious activity or unexpected changes.
Scanning works in the background and alerts you if something looks wrong, so issues can be dealt with early. Popular options include Wordfence, Jetpack and MalCare. MalCare, for example, focuses on malware scanning and detection without slowing down your site.
Most security plugins offer free plans that include basic scanning and monitoring. Paid plans are available if you want more frequent scans or additional support.
Although no plugin can guarantee complete protection, regular scanning adds an important layer of protection and visibility that would otherwise require manual checks.
Why ongoing website security matters
Keeping your website secure is an ongoing process rather than a one off task. Regular checks, updates and sensible controls help reduce risk and protect both your business and the people who use your site.
If managing this feels like something that keeps slipping down the priority list, it may be time to hand it over. As well as producing content for your website and optimising the user experience, And Marketing can take care of regular website maintenance. This ensures your website remains secure, up to date and working as it should, so you can focus on running your business with confidence.
Digital Marketing Executive at And Marketing. A seasoned digital marketing professional with extensive experience supporting a wide range of businesses (B2B and B2C) with digital marketing strategy and implementation. Beckie is a specialist in social media marketing and has supported hundreds of businesses to grow by utilising social media in strategic and creative ways.
