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Ongoing Maintenance (WordPress)

Course Content
Copyright Agreement
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UAMS Copyright Agreement
Use of Material
Website & E‑Commerce Basics
This module introduces learners to the core concepts behind websites and online stores. Students explore how websites work (domains, hosting, CMS vs hosted platforms) and gain a clear understanding of different website and e-commerce models. The module covers foundational platforms such as WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, including their purpose, strengths, and common use cases. Learners also review essential setup concepts like site structure, navigation, basic SEO, and store functionality.
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How Websites Work (domains, hosting)
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CMS vs Hosted Platforms
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Intro to WordPress & Shopify
00:00
Types of Websites and Online Stores
00:00
Domains, Hosting & Setup
This module explains the foundational components required to launch a website or online store. Learners explore how domain names work, how web hosting stores and delivers website content, and the role of DNS in connecting the two. The module also introduces hosting types, setup considerations, and basic installation workflows for platforms like WordPress and Shopify. By the end of the module, learners can confidently choose a domain, understand hosting options, and complete the initial setup needed to get a website online.
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Choosing a Domain Name
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Web Hosting Basics
00:00
Installing WordPress (local & live)
00:00
Creating a Shopify Account
00:00
WordPress Dashboard & Settings
This module introduces learners to the WordPress admin dashboard and its core settings. Students explore the layout of the dashboard, key menu areas, and the purpose of essential settings such as site title, permalinks, user roles, reading, and discussion options. The module emphasizes how proper configuration affects site usability, SEO, and security. By the end of the module, learners can confidently navigate the WordPress dashboard and configure settings to support a well-structured, functional website.
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WordPress Dashboard & Settings
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WordPress Admin Overview
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Pages, Posts, Media
00:00
Permalinks & User Roles
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Themes & Customization
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Block Editor vs Page Builders
00:00
Using Elementor in WordPress
00:00
Responsive Design Basics
00:00
Backups, Updates & Security
00:00
Shopify Platform Overview
This module introduces learners to Shopify as a leading hosted e-commerce platform. Students explore its key features, including store setup, themes, apps, and integrations, and understand how Shopify simplifies online selling for businesses of all sizes. By the end of the module, learners can explain Shopify’s functionality, identify its advantages, and determine when it is the right platform for an online store.
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Shopify Ecosystem
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Shopify vs WooCommerce
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Admin Dashboard Tour
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Themes & Customization
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Products & Collections
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Navigation & Pages
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SEO for Shopify
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Email & Social Selling
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Analytics & Reporting
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Launch & Maintenance
This module guides learners through the final steps of preparing, launching, and maintaining an online store. Students explore pre-launch checklists, performance testing, ongoing updates, backups, security, and routine maintenance for both Shopify and WordPress sites. The module emphasizes best practices for keeping stores secure, fast, and operational post-launch. By the end of the module, learners can confidently launch a website or store and implement a consistent maintenance routine to ensure long-term stability and growth.
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Pre‑launch Checklists
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Performance Testing
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Ongoing Maintenance (Shopify)
Ongoing Maintenance (WordPress)
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Website Security & Account Protection
By the end of this lesson, learners will understand why website security matters, how accounts get hacked, and how to protect websites and online accounts using simple, everyday tools like strong passwords and Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).
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What Is Website Security?
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Common Website Security Threats
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Password Security Basics
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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
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Website-Level Security Tools
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Everyday Security Habits
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Website Learning Lab

Module Overview

This lesson focuses on ongoing maintenance tasks required to keep a WordPress website secure, fast, functional, and up to date. Learners will understand how regular maintenance prevents site issues, improves performance, and protects against security threats.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:

  • Explain why ongoing WordPress maintenance is critical

  • Perform routine updates and backups safely

  • Manage plugins, themes, and users responsibly

  • Monitor site performance, security, and uptime

  • Create a weekly and monthly WordPress maintenance routine

Lesson 1: Why Ongoing Maintenance Matters

Ongoing maintenance in WordPress is essential because WordPress sites rely on a combination of the core platform, themes, and plugins, all of which require regular updates to function properly and stay secure. Consistent maintenance helps prevent security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and ensure compatibility between updates. It also keeps your website running smoothly by optimizing performance, backing up data, and monitoring for broken links or errors. Additionally, regular maintenance allows you to update content, improve SEO, and adapt your site to changing business needs, ensuring that your WordPress website remains reliable, secure, and effective over time.

WordPress sites require continuous care.

Regular maintenance helps:

  • Prevent hacking and malware infections

  • Avoid site crashes and broken features

  • Keep themes and plugins compatible

  • Improve website speed and SEO

  • Protect website content and data

Neglecting maintenance can lead to downtime, data loss, and security breaches.

Lesson 2: Core WordPress Maintenance Tasks

WordPress Core Updates

  • Update WordPress core regularly

  • Review update logs after major releases

  • Test updates on staging sites when possible

Plugin & Theme Updates

  • Update plugins and themes weekly

  • Remove unused or outdated plugins/themes

  • Replace unsupported plugins immediately

Lesson 3: Backups & Recovery

Why Backups Are Essential

  • Protect against hacking, errors, and hosting failures

  • Allow quick recovery after updates or crashes

Backup Best Practices

  • Schedule automatic daily or weekly backups

  • Store backups offsite (cloud or external storage)

  • Test restoring backups periodically

Recommended Backup Plugins

  • UpdraftPlus

  • Jetpack Backup

  • BlogVault

Lesson 4: Security Maintenance

Essential Security Practices

  • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

  • Use strong passwords

  • Limit login attempts

  • Change default admin usernames

Security Plugins

  • Wordfence

  • Sucuri

  • iThemes Security

Ongoing Checks

  • Review security alerts

  • Scan for malware

  • Monitor suspicious login activity

Lesson 5: Performance & Speed Maintenance

Performance Tasks

  • Clear and manage caching

  • Optimize images

  • Minimize CSS and JavaScript

  • Monitor uptime and load speed

Performance Plugins

  • WP Rocket

  • W3 Total Cache

  • LiteSpeed Cache

  • Smush or ShortPixel (image optimization)

Lesson 6: Content & Database Maintenance

Content Review

  • Update outdated pages and blog posts

  • Fix broken links

  • Refresh SEO metadata

Database Maintenance

  • Remove spam comments

  • Clean post revisions

  • Optimize database tables

Tools: WP-Optimize, Advanced Database Cleaner

Lesson 7: User & Role Management

  • Review user accounts regularly

  • Remove inactive users

  • Assign correct roles (Admin, Editor, Author, Subscriber)

  • Limit admin access

Common WordPress Maintenance Mistakes

  • Skipping backups before updates

  • Installing too many plugins

  • Ignoring security alerts

  • Not testing after updates

  • Forgetting to renew licenses

Practical Activity

  • Install a backup plugin and schedule automatic backups

  • Update WordPress core, plugins, and themes

  • Run a security scan

  • Test site speed before and after optimization

Key Takeaways

  • WordPress maintenance is ongoing, not optional

  • Backups and security come first

  • Regular updates prevent compatibility issues

  • Performance and content reviews improve user experience

Exercise Files
Printable Word Press Maintenance Checklist.pdf
Size: 17.88 KB
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