Keeping your WordPress website running smoothly doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small, consistent habits can make a big difference in performance, security, and reliability. Here are five simple tips from TWCarter Web Site Design to keep your site in top shape:

1. Keep everything updated.
Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins. Updates often include security patches and compatibility improvements that keep your site secure.

2. Backup before making major changes.
Use a reliable backup plugin or your hosting provider’s built-in system to create a snapshot before updating or adding new features.

3. Optimize your images.
Large images slow down load times. Compress them before upload and add descriptive ALT text for accessibility and SEO (something our Add Text to ALT-TEXT plugin can automate!).

4. Review your plugins.
Remove inactive or outdated plugins. Too many can slow your site and increase potential conflicts.

5. Check site performance monthly.
Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or MonsterInsights to review load times and visitor metrics.

Following these simple steps will keep your site fast, secure, and professional — letting you focus on your business instead of troubleshooting.

— The TWCarter Web Site Design Team