Why do WordPress websites break down?

The short answer is usually a lack of adequate maintenance, but malicious actors or your web host can sometimes be responsible as well. After a new website is built, many firms are given a hosting package and left to their own devices. The level of site maintenance needed is often unknown or underestimated by the non-technical staff responsible for procurement.

• Poor Maintenance: As WordPress websites age, their original themes are often not kept up to date or are abandoned by the original developer. Updating WordPress core or any of the plugins without taking care of depreciated components can lead to incompatibilities that break the site. Sometimes web hosts will automatically update WordPress or the hosting environment automatically, leading to compatibility issues – often leaving you to discover your website non-functional without having done anything.
• Malicious attacks: Failing to maintain both the website’s frontend, backend and database leaves the door open to hacking via automated bots and manual intrusion. The best case scenario is that they take your site offline. The worst case is that they remain undetected and gather private information from your visitors, use your site to distribute malware or other malicious activities.
• Website Hosting: You get what you pay for! Budget hosting providers often neglect best practices for security and do not enforce minimum standards for their server environments, leaving you open to attacks on other customers’ websites. Pure hosting without active site management leaves the door open to vulnerabilities being exploited – server environment updates are not enforced, and outdated / depreciated plugins are not updated or removed as needed.

Once we’ve restored your website, let us take care of your regular maintenance and make sure you stay online!