Home Office and Security Week (January 12–18) isn’t just about locking your office door—it’s about securing your digital workspace too. For small business owners running their websites on WordPress, security can often feel like an afterthought. But your website is your digital storefront, and if it’s not secure, you’re leaving the door wide open for cyber threats.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. My first hosting provider, when I was getting started running websites, didn’t offer SSL certificates, backups, or basic security protections, and I paid the price. Moving to BigScoots changed everything—they provide daily backups, built-in security, and SSL management, giving me peace of mind.
So let’s break down the most important steps you can take to keep your WordPress site secure.
Why Website Security is Essential for Small Businesses
Every year, thousands of small businesses fall victim to cyberattacks.
Why?
Because hackers know smaller websites often lack robust security. The consequences can be devastating: financial losses, damaged reputation, and even blacklisting by search engines like Google.
Beyond avoiding these risks, a secure website also builds trust with your customers. When visitors see that reassuring padlock symbol in their browser (thanks to your SSL certificate), they’re more likely to stick around and do business with you.
3 Common WordPress Security Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Let’s address the top three mistakes I see small business owners make with their WordPress websites:
- Not Backing Up Regularly: Backups are your safety net. I rely on BigScoots, which offers daily backups kept for 30 days and allows manual backups when needed. If your host doesn’t offer this, the UpdraftPlus plugin is a fantastic alternative for setting your own backup rules.
- Not Updating Plugins Promptly: Outdated plugins are like unlocked doors for hackers. While developers often recommend testing updates on a staging site first, I’ve found that keeping my plugins updated immediately has been effective—and I’ve rarely run into problems.
- Using the Default Username ‘Admin’: If your username is still ‘admin,’ you’re an easy target for brute-force attacks. Create a new administrator account with a unique username, transfer your content, and delete the old ‘admin’ account.
Essential Security Tools for WordPress Users
While I rely heavily on BigScoots for hosting-level security, not every host offers the same protections. In those cases, I recommend:
- Wordfence: A comprehensive security plugin that protects against malware and hacking attempts.
- WPArmor: A great option for blocking targeted vulnerabilities and spam attacks.
Both plugins are user-friendly and add an extra layer of protection to your site.
SSL Certificates: Non-Negotiable for SEO and Security
SSL certificates encrypt data between your website and your visitors, ensuring that sensitive information stays safe. Plus, Google prioritizes HTTPS websites in search results.
I prefer to let my hosting provider (BigScoots, in my case) manage SSL certificates. It’s one less thing for me to remember, and I know it’s handled properly.
The Connection Between Website Security and SEO
Security and SEO go hand in hand. Here’s how:
- Avoid Blacklisting: If Google detects malware or security breaches, your site can get blacklisted, causing an immediate drop in organic traffic.
- Maintain Trust with Users: Visitors are quick to leave if they see security warnings.
- Ensure Website Reliability: Frequent downtime or outages caused by security issues can harm your rankings because Google sees an unreliable site as a poor user experience.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Start Here
If website security feels like a mountain you’re not prepared to climb, start simple:
- Check with your hosting provider. Many reputable hosts offer built-in security tools, backups, and SSL certificates.
- Hire a reputable developer. If your host can’t assist, don’t hesitate to bring in professional help.
Your website is the digital face of your business—it deserves the same level of security as your physical office. From backups to plugin updates, SSL certificates, and reliable hosting, every step you take strengthens your website’s defenses.
Don’t wait for a security issue to force your hand. Whether you need help auditing your website’s security or improving your SEO strategy, Full Throttle SEO can get you the help you need.
J. ‘Ivy’ Boyter is an experienced SEO expert based in Florida. She is passionate about helping businesses grow their online presence toward increasing organic leads and revenue. When she’s not working on SEO campaigns, she’s participating in autocross or rallycross, wrangling kids, chickens, or writing heartfelt marriage and parenting advice. Learn more at FullThrottleSEO.com.
Great tips! For small business owners just starting with WordPress, which security step would you recommend prioritizing first—updating plugins, setting up backups, or installing an SSL certificate?
If your host doesn’t include SSL, that would be the very first step as secure websites will do better than non-secure. As that’s the easiest, step, then you would make sure you can backup the site, then regularly update plugins (if a plugin breaks the site, you can load a backup).