INTRODUCTION

A website that simply exists on the internet isn’t enough. You have probably realized that once you have created a website using Shopify, WordPress, or WooCommerce, then it is not the end of the road there. To ensure that your digital domain remains successful, you need to implement a strategic approach towards maintaining and supporting it. Trust us, with the right strategy, you can take your website to new heights and achieve your online goals. Let’s dive into this together, you are not just a reader but an active participant in marking your online presence.

 

Regularly updating your website is vital for security, performance, and functionality. Updates enhance security by addressing vulnerabilities, optimizing code for improved performance, and ensuring compatibility with new devices. They introduce new features, enhance competitiveness, and address bugs for overall functionality. Positive impacts on SEO and search engine rankings result from regular updates. It’s essential to back up your site before applying updates, which may also address legal changes for compliance. To update, check, and apply updates for your CMS, themes, and plugins, test them in a staging environment first. Staying informed about web technologies and security is crucial for maintaining a secure, efficient, and up-to-date website.

 

BACKUPS: SAFEGUARDING YOUR DIGITAL ASSETS

Picture your website as a sprawling kingdom, filled with valuable assets like text, images, videos, and different forms of data. Now, envision backups as the knights ready to guard and defend against any unforeseen and forbidden attacks and disasters. The important question here is, how much is enough to secure your digital assets?

UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF YOUR CONTENT

What type of content does your website host?

How frequently is the content updated?

 

TAILORING YOUR BACKUP STRATEGY

Consider the nature of your content to tailor your backup frequency. If you’re a prolific content creator updating daily, a daily backup might be necessary. For static sites, a weekly backup may suffice. It is a good idea to keep multiple copies of your backup, if possible include it in the cloud and local storage.

PRO TIP

For a foolproof strategy, once you’ve decided the optimal frequencies for the backup, choosing the right tools to perform the backup is important. 

 

PRO TIP

Periodically test your backups to ensure they can be successfully restored, providing confidence in your disaster recovery plan.

 

UPDATES: THE LIFEBLOOD OF DIGITAL EVOLUTION

Just like a thriving ecosystem, your website needs regular updates to stay robust, secure, and feature-rich. The processes for updates, however, differ between WordPress and Shopify, two prominent platforms in the digital landscape.

 

ATTACKS AND REMEDIES ON SHOPIFY AND WORDPRESS

Shopify has awarded hackers more than $850,000 in bounties for assisting in securing its $55 billion-plus customer transactions and data. The company, which supports over half a million merchants worldwide, initiated its bug bounty program in 2013 and, after moving to the HackerOne platform, has paid $850,000 in rewards, resolved 759 vulnerabilities, and expressed gratitude to over 300 hackers for their contributions. The program aims to enhance the security of online stores by encouraging ethical hackers to identify and report potential vulnerabilities.

 

WordPress faces significant security challenges, being the most targeted content management system (CMS). In 2018, it endured 90% of hacking attempts on CMS, with other platforms trailing below 5%. The prevalence of WordPress, used by over 35% of all websites , makes it an attractive target for hackers. It experiences an alarming average of 90,000 attacks per minute . Weak passwords contribute to 8% of WordPress site hacks, emphasizing the need for stronger password practices. Daily, more than 500 WordPress websites are hacked, totaling over 4,500 per week . Out-of-date plugins account for 52% of WordPress vulnerabilities, highlighting the importance of keeping plugins updated for enhanced security.

 

If your website resembles a sloth, it’s time to optimize speed. Understanding when to act and recognizing the signals that call for professional assistance is crucial in maintaining a resilient digital presence. Unusual activities or breaches need immediate attention.

 

BALANCING ACT

Achieving a balance between timely updates and stability is crucial. Make sure that your website is not running out of date in versioning used along with not breaking anything in the existing application while updating to the latest version of Shopify or WordPress.

 

SHOPIFY OR WORDPRESS: A QUICK COMPARISON

The choice between Shopify and WordPress depends on your specific needs, technical expertise, and the type of website you want to create. If you prioritize e-commerce and simplicity, Shopify may be the better choice. WordPress may be the preferred option if you need flexibility and control over your site, especially for non-e-commerce purposes.

 

SHOPIFY:

1. Purpose: Primarily an e-commerce platform designed for online stores.
2. Ease of Use: Extremely user-friendly with a straightforward setup process.
3. Hosting: Fully hosted solution, meaning Shopify takes care of hosting.
4. Themes: Offers a variety of professional-looking, customizable themes.
5. App Store: Extensive app store for additional functionalities and features.
6. Transaction Fees: Charges transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments.
7. Security: Secure and PCI compliant, with automatic updates.

 

PRO TIP:

The trend rate for WordPress is 8 times higher than that of WooCommerce. However, the selection of platforms may also vary based on your needs and requirements. (Source: Google Trends ) 

 

WORDPRESS:

1. Purpose: Originally a versatile content management system (CMS) for websites.
2. Ease of Use: Requires more initial setup, especially for e-commerce functionalities.
3. Hosting: Self-hosted, giving you control over hosting but requiring more management.
4. Themes: Abundance of themes, but customization may vary based on theme.
5. Plugins: Wide range of plugins for added features, including e-commerce plugins.
6. Transaction Fees: None by default, but payment gateway fees apply.
7. Security: Security depends on hosting and plugins used; regular updates are crucial.

 

WORDPRESS BACKUP STRATEGIES:

1. Automated (Plugins) : WordPress offers various plugins like UpdraftPlus , BackupBuddy , and VaultPress that simplify the backup process. These tools allow you to schedule automated backups and store them on external servers or cloud platforms.
2. Manual Backups : For those who prefer a hands-on approach, manual backups involve copying website files and databases manually. This method requires technical expertise but provides more control.
3. Maintain an up-to-date list of all themes and plugins installed on your WordPress site.
4. Document a procedure for safely updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins.

 

SHOPIFY BACKUP STRATEGIES:

1. Built-in Backup System: Shopify automatically backs up your store data, including products, customers, and orders. However, it’s advisable to explore third-party apps like Rewind or Shopify Backup to ensure comprehensive protection and additional features.
2. Maintain a document with critical information like Shopify account details, API keys, and contact information for Shopify support.
3. Create a list of emergency contacts, including your hosting provider, Shopify support, and third-party app providers.
4. Keep your store secure with strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
5. Create a detailed document outlining step-by-step procedures for disaster recovery.

 

UPDATES BREAKDOWN FOR WORDPRESS

1. Core updates for security enhancements
2. Plugin updates for added functionalities that can give you accessibility to enhance the feature list in your website and application.
3. Theme updates for design improvements and better user experience.
4. Test updates in a staging environment before applying them to the live site.

 

UPDATES BREAKDOWN FOR SHOPIFY

1. Automatically update your website for high vulnerabilities and important security patches.
2. App updates for added functionalities.
3. Theme updates for design enhancements

 

CONCLUSION

Choose Shopify if: You want a hassle-free, dedicated e-commerce solution with ease of use and built-in features.

Choose WordPress if: You seek flexibility, control, and a content-centric site that may include e-commerce as part of its features.

 

As we conclude our expedition through the intricate realm of website support, remember that your digital kingdom is a reflection of your passion and creativity. Whether you choose WordPress or Shopify, diligent backups and timely updates are the sentinels of your success.

 

If this journey has stirring questions or if you seek professional support to fortify your digital castle, feel free to contact us . We’re here to ensure your website not only survives but thrives in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

 

May your pixels be vibrant, your code be clean, and your website be legendary! In the vast digital kingdom, your legacy awaits.