Things don’t always go perfectly, and they seem to go wrong at the worst possible time. If you have a website, you may be familiar with this conundrum. Right when you’re about to publish a post you’ve been working on for hours, your power goes out, your browser crashes, or your cat walks across your keyboard.
But all is not lost! The WordPress autosave feature makes it possible to get that work back quickly and easily. Let’s find out how.
What is WordPress autosave?
Autosave is enabled on WordPress sites by default to help site owners protect their content. It automatically saves posts and pages while you’re using the Editor so that, if your site goes offline or something else goes wrong, you haven’t lost all of your hard work.
If something happens, simply try reloading your browser. With autosave enabled, WordPress should have a recent backup of the post that you can restore with a single click.
We say “recent†backup because a copy of your page or post is saved based on a time interval, not after every single keystroke.
What is the default autosave interval on WordPress?
Autosave intervals tend to be relatively low to offer the highest level of protection. By default, the WordPress autosave interval is 60 seconds, but that may vary depending on your web host’s configuration.
Some hosts with limited resources will increase autosave intervals to avoid performance issues. That’s unlikely tobe a problem if you’re using a quality provider.
In most cases, it’s not possible to check the default autosave interval on WordPress. But you can change that interval manually, which we’ll cover in the tutorial portion of this article.
Can you change your autosave settings?
WordPress lets you change the default autosave settings, but to do so, you’ll need to edit core files manually. That means accessing your site’s server via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or your web hosting control panel.
You can change autosave settings by editing the wp-config.php file in the WordPress root directory. This allows you to do any of the following:
Enable autosave (if it was disabled previously)
Disable autosave (by increasing its interval to a high number)
Modify the autosave interval in WordPress
Another way to modify the autosave settings in WordPress is to edit the functions.php file for the theme you’re using. Adding custom code to functions.php will disable autosave for specific post types or turn off the feature altogether if needed.
What’s the difference between autosaves and revisions in WordPress?
The goal of autosaves is to save work in progress in case something goes wrong while editing a page or a post. Autosaves take place in the background, even without you hitting the Save Draft button.
Revisions are drafts of posts or pages that you’ve manually saved. When you save a new draft, WordPress stores previous versions as revisions in case you want to revert back. Autosaves are not listed as revisions, as they’re a separate system.
With WordPress, you can only have one autosave at a time. But the revisions system lets you store multiple drafts of a post or page, then easily view changes and toggle between them.
How to use and manage WordPress autosaves
How can you manage autosaves and edit their settings? Making certain changes requires editing WordPress core files and dealing with code — we’ll guide you through those processes step by step. But first, let’s talk about restoring autosaves.
1. How to restore WordPress autosaves
Restoring a WordPress autosave is simple. If you exit the Editor without saving changes to the page or post, WordPress will warn you that you might lose those changes.
After opening the Editor again, WordPress will let you know if it has an autosave available. Then, you can click on the Restore the backup button to load the autosave.
WordPress will load the autosaved version of the post you’re working on. From this point on, you can continue editing the post, but probably want to save drafts periodically to avoid further problems.
2. How to delete a WordPress autosave
WordPress stores autosaves in the database. If you want to delete an autosave, there are three ways to go about it. You can access the database using a tool like phpMyAdmin and find the corresponding entry, wait for new autosaves to overwrite old ones, or use a plugin to do the job for you.
From a practical perspective, there’s little reason to delete one single autosave from the database. But some users report seeing moderate increases in site performance after removing unnecessary entries, like revisions and autosaves.
Using a plugin to “clear out†the database may not be necessary if you have a hosting plan that offers great performance and you’ve taken steps to optimize your website. Still, plugins like Advanced Database Cleaner make the process very straightforward and can also help you clear orphaned tables from the database.
To use Advanced Database Cleaner to delete WordPress autosaves, install and activate the plugin, then go to the WP DB Cleaner tab in WordPress. This page includes a list of the database tables you can clean, including one that says Auto drafts.
Select the Auto drafts element, choose Clean from the Bulk actions menu, and click on Apply. The plugin will ask you to confirm the decision and, afterwards, it will delete all available autosaves for your website.
3. How to change the WordPress autosave interval
If you want to change your website’s autosave interval, you’ll need to edit the wp-config.php file. To access that file, connect to your site via FTP using a tool like FileZilla.
Once you establish an FTP connection, navigate to your WordPress website’s rootfolder. That folder can have several different names, including www, public_html, or your site’s name.
If you can’t identify it, these are some of the files and folders you should see inside the root directory, including the wp-content and wp-admin folders:
This folder also contains the wp-config.php file. Right-click it and select the Edit option. This will open wp-config.php using your default text editor.
To change the autosave interval, you’ll need to add the following line of code:
define( 'AUTOSAVE_INTERVAL', 60 );
The crucial part of that code is the number. In the example above, it’s set to 60 seconds. You can change it to any value you want, but we recommend against exceeding one minute. Autosave has a negligible impact on your site’s performance, so it’s better to run it often to keep your work safe.
When you’re done, save the changes to wp-config.php and close the text editor. Your FTP client might ask if you want to save the new version of the file to the server. Confirm the changes, and you’re good to go.
4. How to disable WordPress autosave
Autosave is enabled by default in WordPress, but you can disable it manually for posts, pages, or both. Unfortunately, these settings aren’t available via the WordPress admin dashboard. So, you’ll need to connect to your website via FTP.
Navigate to your root folder and find the functions.php file. Open the file and add the following line of code:
An alternative method of disabling the autosave feature is to follow the same steps for changing the autosave interval as above but set the interval to be an entire day. While this doesn’t turn off autosave entirely, it would only kick in after 24 hours. To do this, follow the instructions above, but add this line of code to your wp-config.php file:
define('AUTOSAVE_INTERVAL', 86400);
5. How to enable WordPress autosave
Autosave is enabled in WordPress by default. You don’t need to turn on the feature manually unless it was disabled at some point.
If the autosave feature isn’t working on your site, it might be due to a change in the autosave settings or code inside of the wp-config.php or functions.php files. In these cases, we recommend opening both files to see if there’s custom code that modifies the autosave functionality.
You can find examples of what this code looks like in the previous sections of this tutorial, where we show you how to disable autosave and modify its interval settings.
If you find similar code in either or both files, you can delete it to re-enable autosave in WordPress. Before you do this, though, we recommend backing up your site fully in case you run into any errors while editing your files.
Frequently asked questions about WordPress autosave
If you have any questions about how autosave works in WordPress, this section will answer them.
Can I preview an autosave in WordPress?
In the past, WordPress let you preview autosaves before restoring them. That feature is no longer available. Now, the Editor simply asks if you want to restore the autosave if one is available.
Which types of content does WordPress autosave?
WordPress only autosaves posts and pages. You can configure the Content Management System (CMS) to autosave custom post types, which requires adding some code to their respective settings files.
Does WordPress automatically save drafts?
WordPress requires you to save drafts manually to store them as revisions. If you don’t save a draft and the editor closes, you might be able to access an autosave when you reopen it. But the availability of an autosave will depend on the interval that you configure.
WordPress autosave isn’t working, what can I do?
If autosave isn’t working, someone might have disabled it for your posts and pages. You can check out the earlier instructions for disabling autosave for posts and pages. You may want to reach out to your hosting provider and ask if this was done on your plan.
Can I autosave my whole site in real-time?
WordPress autosave only works for posts and pages. If you want to save every aspect of your website, including its media library, settings, plugins, themes, and other elements, you’ll need to use a WordPress backup plugin.
For most websites, having full backups is a much better solution than relying solely on autosaves. With frequent backups, you can restore your website to a previous state if you delete content, run into a technical error, or need to undo changes to the site.
Although you can back up your website manually, the process can take a while, and we recommend making full copies frequently. With Jetpack Backup, you get automatic real-time backups of your entire website. That means the plugin creates and saves new copies of your site as you make changes to it.
Jetpack Backup can store backups for up to 30 days or a full year (depending on which plan you use) and lets you restore any of them with only a click. Additionally, you’ll have access to premium technical support in case anything goes wrong with your backups.
Use autosave to protect your work in WordPress
Autosave is an excellent feature for sites of any kind. After all, having a recent autosave can mean the difference between losing hours of work or picking up right where you left off if something ever goes wrong. While autosaves won’t help you restore deleted content, they can ensure that you don’t lose anything you’re currently working on.
On top of using autosave, creating website backups can ensure that you never lose your work. Jetpack Backup will automatically save your site in real-time and allow you to restore it with a single click.Â
It’s common for a plugin to cause a fatal or critical error in WordPress that results in loss of access to a site’s public web pages or WP Admin area. That fact that it is common doesn’t make it any less terrifying to experience. When a fatal error occurs on a WordPress site, it is usually due to a bug in the responsible plugin or theme code that causes the affected site’s server to become stuck and unable to respond to requests.
Usually, the WordPress.org software displays a critical error message when a bug on the site is causing an error preventing the site from working. WordPress also emails the site administrator with more details about the error. If you cannot find that email, the next best step would be to check the PHP error logs in your web hosting account, if those are available. If you’re unsure how to access those logs, your web host can help you. You can also put WordPress in debug mode and check the error messages displayed when you attempt to visit your site.
However you get the error messages, the entire message should include the name of the plugin, theme folder, or file causing the error. Upon discovering the plugin causing the error, you might wonder how to remove the plugin or theme and get your site working again when the plugin error prevents you from accessing your WP Admin area. Deactivating plugins via WP Admin is not the only way. There’s another way:
Step 1: Get your site’s SSH, SFTP, or FTP credentials
Now that your site is down, you’ll need the correct credentials to access your site’s files remotely via other non-HTTP means. SSH (Secure Shell), SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol), FTPS (also known as FTP-SSL, and FTP Secure), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol) are different types of server access protocols/schemes.
These credentials allow you, or a service like Jetpack Backup, to directly access your site’s files on the server powering your website. You can get these from your hosting account dashboard or with the help of your hosting provider’s support. Note that these server access credentials are unique and different from your WP Admin login details and, in most cases, your host’s control panel or dashboard login.
Step 2: Download a file transfer client application
For the next step, you will need to use a file transfer client app/software like FileZilla or Transmit. The file manager option in your WordPress hosting control panel is also a good option, but it might be better to use a file transfer client as they consistently provide better interfaces for viewing your site’s files than many hosting account file managers.
Step 3: Connect to your server using the credentials
Once you have your SSH, SFTP, or FTP credentials and a file transfer app installed on your device, proceed to connect to your site using the credentials. FileZilla has some usage instructions that should help guide you along the way. Transmit also has a help guide on using their Quick Connect feature to connect to your server.
The general process is to choose the protocol or server type and to fill out the form with the details (server address, username, password, port, and remote WordPress installation path that you have gotten from your hosting account, support, or server administrator). Once you have done that, click Connect or the equivalent on the file transfer app of your choice to connect to your server. When you have successfully connected, you should see a list of files and directories in the remote path you provided. Here’s what that looks like in Transmit:
Step 4: Rename the plugin folder to deactivate it
Now that you’re connected and can see your site’s files and folders, navigate to the wp-content folder. Inside this wp-content folder, you will see a folder called plugins where WordPress stores the files for all plugins installed on your website.
Navigate to the plugins folder, select the plugin culprit and right-click to view more options. Click Rename or the equivalent on your chosen file transfer client. Then set the new name of the folder to something like plugin-name.deactivate. In other words, add .deactivate to the name of the folder. Here’s what that the rename option looks like in Transmit:
Once you rename the plugin, it will be deactivated because WordPress won’t be able to find the plugin folder when it looks there. If that plugin was the cause of the critical error, you should regain access to your WordPress site and the admin area. If you navigate to WP Admin > Plugins, you should see a notification saying that the plugin has been deactivated because the plugin file does not exist like so:
That’s it. You can follow the same steps to deactivate a theme if a theme is responsible for the critical error. Only this time, you should navigate to wp-content/themes when you have connected to your site via SSH, SFTP, or FTP. If a theme bug is actually stopping you from accessing your site, then renaming the theme folder should resolve the issue.
Hopefully, this article has helped you resolve a critical error on your site. You may want to check out our Jetpack Backup product or the Jetpack Security bundle to keep your WordPress site’s data safe. With regular malware scans, a web application firewall, real-time backups, and one-click restores, you can relax and focus on publishing awesome content for your readers.
When you’re trying to access a website, the last thing you want is to experience technical difficulties. Unfortunately though, you’re likely to encounter a few, like the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, at some point while managing a site.
The good news is that there are plenty of steps you can take to resolve the issue relatively quickly. The key is understanding what the error message means and following some simple troubleshooting steps to fix it. Regardless of which device or operating system (OS) you’re using, you should be able to get your browsing experience back on track with minimal effort.
In this post, we’ll explain what the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error means and some common things that cause it. Then, we’ll walk you through the steps you can take to fix it on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
What the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error means
There are a wide variety of WordPress error messages you might encounter when trying to access your website. Some have to do with WordPress directly while others, like the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error, arise from other sources.
The above error message is what you’ll see using Google Chrome. But, you may also encounter it on other devices, browsers, and operating systems. If you’re not using Chrome, the exact wording of the error message may vary.
For instance, in Mozilla Firefox, it might look something like this instead:
In Microsoft Edge, it usually appears similar to the following:
Meanwhile, Safari displays a message like this:
The DNS_PROBE FINISHED NXDOMAIN error is returned if the nameserver cannot find the requested domain. This may happen due to a number of reasons. It’s often seen when trying to connect to a website using a web browser. Typically, it indicates an issue with your network or “DNS.â€
Before we get into what might be causing this error message, it’s helpful to understand what each element of the response code means. DNS stands for domain name system. A DNS server is responsible for translating human-friendly domain names (like http://www.Jetpack.com) into internet protocol (IP) addresses (like 192.168.0.1).
Your web browser does this automatically when you type in a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) into the address bar. To put it simply, when you type a URL in your browser, you’re asking the DNS server to translate the name into an IP address.
This process of requesting your computer to find the IP address of a website is referred to as a DNS probe. If the DNS server does not have a record for the requested name, then it returns an NXDOMAIN (Non-Existent Domain) error.
Common causes of the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error
There are many reasons why you may be seeing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error message. Some of the most common causes include:
A typo in the URL or an incorrect IP address: Sometimes it can be as simple as mistyping the URL of the website you’re trying to visit.
Antivirus or firewalls blocking access to the name server: It’s not uncommon for antivirus or firewall software to block access to certain websites, resulting in the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
Misconfigured server settings or DNS configuration: Your computer may be configured to use the wrong DNS server or your internet service provider’s (ISP) DNS server may be unavailable.
Mismatched hostname: The hosts file on your computer may be blocking access to the website you’re trying to visit. You can check and edit your hosts file to see if that’s the case.
A DNS lookup timeout: The DNS lookup process can time out if it’s taking longer than expected.
Browser cache and cookies: Another common cause of this error is an outdated or corrupt cache and cookies in your browser.
It’s also possible that you’re seeing this error message simply because the server is down. If that’s the case, you’ll want to check back again in a few minutes.
Keep in mind that you might not be able to identify the source of this error message until you begin troubleshooting. You may have to attempt a handful of potential solutions before you uncover the problem and, in turn, take the necessary steps to remedy it.
How to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on desktop (Windows & Mac)
Now that we understand a bit more about what the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is and what might be causing the problem, it’s time to get into how you can go about resolving it. The exact steps you should take will depend on the device that you’re using. To start, we’ll show you how to fix it on desktops, including both Windows and Mac.
1. Restart your device and router/modem
It’s possible that you’re seeing this error message because of your internet connection. So, after you’ve confirmed that you’ve entered the correct URL, it’s a good idea to check your internet connection, to make sure it’s working properly.
If everything seems to be operating as it should, the next step is to restart your device, as well as your router (or modem). You’ll need to power down your computer, then unplug your router or modem and wait a minute or so.
After that, you can plug it back in. Once you’re connected to the internet again, turn your computer back on and try revisiting the website. This may seem obvious, but it’s a tactic you won’t want to skip.
2. Clear your browser cache and cookies
If you’re experiencing issues with a particular website, one thing you can try is clearing your browser cookies and cache. Browser cookies and cache are two web technologies that are used to store data in order to improve the web browsing experience.
In a nutshell, browser cookies are small files that are stored on a user’s computer by the websites they visit. They’re used to store data such as login information, preferences, and other details that can help improve the user experience (UX) on a site.
Cache is a type of storage that is used by web browsers and servers in order to save frequently accessed data so that it can be quickly retrieved when needed. Both browser cookies and caching can help improve the speed and performance of web browsing. However, if not managed properly, they can also lead to privacy and security issues.
Clearing your browser cookies and cache will remove any temporary data that could be causing the problem.
2.1 Windows
To do this in Windows, go to the Start menu and type “Internet Options” into the search bar. Then, click on the Internet Options icon when it appears in the results.
In the Internet Options (or InternetProperties)window, go to the General tab and click on Delete in the Browsing history section. Make sure to check both the cookies and website data and the Temporary Internetfiles and website files options. Then, click on Delete.
Alternatively, you can clear your browser cookies and cache within the browser you’re using.
For instance, if you’re navigating with Google Chrome, you can click on the three vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner followed by More tools → Clear browsing data. In the window that appears, make sure the three items are selected, then click on the Clear Data button.
2.2 Mac
On a Mac, you’ll have to clear your cache in Safari. To do this, open Safari and click on Safari → Preferences in the top menu bar.
In the Preferences window, go to the Privacy tab and click on Remove All Website Data.
This will remove all cookies and cached data for all websites. Select Remove Now to confirm. Then, restart your browser and try loading the website again.
3. Refresh your DNS cache
Similar to a browser cache, a DNS cache is a type of storage that is used by DNS servers in order to save frequently accessed data. DNS servers use this in order to save time when resolving IP addresses.
If the DNS server has recently resolved an IP address for a certain website, it will be able to quickly retrieve the IP address from its DNS cache rather than having to look up the address again. This can help improve the speed of web browsing. But if it becomes outdated or corrupt, it can also lead to a wide range of issues, including the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error.
3.1 Windows
To flush your DNS cache in Windows, go to the Start menu and type “cmd” into the search bar. Click on the Command Prompt icon.
In the Command Prompt window, type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.
3.2 Mac
To flush your DNS cache on Mac, open the Terminal application. You can do this by going to the Applications → Utilities folder or by searching for it in Spotlight.
In the Terminal window, type “dscacheutil -flushcache” and press Return. This will clear your DNS cache.
4. Release and renew your IP address
If you’re still seeing the error message, the next step is to release and renew your IP address. This allows your computer to communicate with the network more effectively, which can improve your internet speeds and reduce any connectivity issues you may be experiencing.
4.1 Windows
To do this in Windows, you’ll want to return to the Command Prompt window. This time, type the following commands, pressing your Enter key after each:
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
4.2 Mac
If you’re using macOS, you can navigate to your Terminal application. Then enter the following:
sudo killall –HUP mDNSResponder
After that, hit your Return key. Note that it may ask you to enter your device admin password to proceed.
5. Change your DNS servers
If you’re still having trouble accessing a website, you can try selecting a different DNS server. While there are a handful of alternatives you can use, a popular choice is the standard Google Public DNS. Google Public DNS is a free, global DNS resolution service.
It can make your internet browsing both faster and more secure. The service uses modern Anycast technology to spread traffic across multiple servers around the world. It also leverages DNSSEC to validate responses.
5.1 Windows
To change your DNS servers in Windows, go to Control Panel → Network and Internet. Then, select the Network and Sharing Center option.
Once there, click on the Change adapter settings in the left sidebar.
This will open the Network Connections window. Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
In the Properties window, go to the Networking taband select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) from the list of options, followed by the Properties button.
In the IPv4 Properties window, select the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button.
Next, you can enter “8.8.8.8†for the Preferred DNS server and “8.8.4.4†for the Alternate DNS server. Click on OK to save your changes and close the window.
5.2 Mac
You can use these same addresses for Mac. But, to get there, you’ll need to open the System Preferences application by clicking on the Apple icon in the top menu bar. Then select System Preferences from the drop-down menu.
In the System Preferences window, go to Network and choose the network interface you want to configure in the left sidebar. Next, click on the Advanced button.
In the window that opens, go to the DNS tab and select the + icon.
This will allow you to enter a custom DNS server. When you’re done, you can click on the OK button.
6. Temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall
6.1 Windows
To disable your antivirus and firewall in Windows, navigate to your Control Panel then go to the System and Security section and click on the Windows Firewall option.
In the Windows Firewall screen, click on the Turn Windows Defender Firewallon or off option in the left sidebar.
After that, click on the Off (not recommended) radio button for both the Private network settings and Public network settings options. Select OK to save your changes and close the screen.
6.2 Mac
To disable your antivirus and firewall on Mac, open the System Preferences application, then go to the Security & Privacy application.
Select the Firewall tab. Next, click on the Turn Off Firewall button.
You will be prompted to confirm your decision. Simply click on the Turn Off Firewall button again to confirm.
7. Check your hosts file
A hosts file is a text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses without using a DNS server.
When a computer visits a website, it first checks the hosts file to see if it can resolve the hostname to an IP address. If it can, then it will connect to the website using the IP address. Otherwise, it will use DNS to resolve the hostname.
7.1 Windows
To check your hosts file in Windows, go to the Start menu and type “Notepad” into the search bar and select the Notepad application.
Click on the File menu and select Open from the drop-down menu. In the Open window, navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc and select the hosts file.
Make sure that All Files is selected in the drop-down menu next to the File name field. Click on the Open button to open the hosts file in Notepad.
Within this file, check whether the website that you’re trying to access that’s throwing the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error is listed. If it is, delete it, save the file, then try refreshing your browser.
Also, you don’t necessarily need to use the Notepad application to do this. You can use any text editor in Windows that lets you access and modify your files.
7.2 Mac
To check the hosts file in Mac, open the Terminal application. In the command prompt, type “sudo nano /etc/hosts” and press Enter. This will open the hosts file in a text editor.
Again, look for the site that you’re trying to access and delete it if you find it listed. When you’re done, press on your Ctrl+X keys to exit the Nano text editor and save your changes.
That’s it! After completing the above steps, you should no longer see the NDS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error message on the WordPress website you’re trying to access from your computer.
How to fix DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN on Mobile (iOS & Android)
As we mentioned, you can also come across this error message when you’re browsing on your mobile device, not just a desktop computer. The process for resolving this issue is slightly different than if you were using a PC. Below is how you can fix the DNS_PROBE_FINSIHED_NXDOMAIN error on mobile for both Android and iOS.
1. Check for any app or system updates
To get started, first try restarting your mobile device. This may help resolve any minor connection issues you’re experiencing that may be leading to the error.
If this doesn’t work, the next step is to check to see whether your system or browser app requires any updates.
1.1 Android
On Android devices, you can do this by browsing to Settings → System.
Navigate to System update. If there is a new version available, it will tell you. In that case, simply update it, then try visiting the site once more.
To check for any updates on your Chrome app, you can open the Play Store, then search for “Chrome.†If one is available, you can click on the Update button next to it.
1.2 Apple iOS
If you’re using Apple iOS, you can check for system updates by selecting the Settings application (the gear icon), followed by General.
Next, click on Software Update.
If one is available, it will inform you on the screen. You can select Update Now to proceed.
To update any browser apps you use, you can navigate to the Apps Store from your home screen. Select the icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Here, you can find all the applications on your device that currently have an updated version available.
Scroll through the list and update any browser apps that you use. When you’re done, restart your device and try accessing the website again.
2. Clear your browser cookies and cache
As with desktop devices, you might be able to resolve this error message by clearing your browser cookies and cache.
2.1 Android
If you’re using Android, you can open your Chrome app and then select the three vertical dots.
Next, navigate to Settings → Storage → Apps → Chrome.
After you select Free up storage space, you’ll be prompted to do so. This will clear any unnecessary files or data.
2.2 Apple iOS
In Apple iOS, you can open your Settings application then scroll down to Safari.
On the next screen, scroll to the bottom to locate the Privacy & Security section.
Next, select Clear History and Website Data.
In the popup that appears, click on Clear History and Data. This will remove your history, cookies, and other browsing data.
3. Change your DNS settings
As with a desktop, the DNS settings of your mobile device may be to blame when you’re seeing this pesky error message. So, the next step is to try changing your network settings.
3.1 Android
If you’re an Android user, you can do this by opening your Settings app, then navigating to Network & Internet.
Next, tap and hold the Wi-Fi network connection, then click on Modify network.
In the Advanced options section, select Static then scroll to the bottom to locate the DNS server addresses fields.
For the preferred DNS value, you can enter “8.8.8.8†for DNS 1 and “8.8.4.4†for DNS 2. Save your changes then refresh your browser.
3.2 Apple iOS
For iOS, open your Settings application then select your Wi-Fi connection and select it again on the next screen. Scroll down to the DNS section and click on Configure DNS.
On the next screen, select Manual followed by Add Server.
You can then enter the same values as above into the fields. When you’re done, click on the Save button in the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Why backups are a WordPress site’s best friend
At this point, hopefully, you’ve learned how you can resolve the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error in WordPress.
To help minimize the potential damage that may occur as a result of website or browser errors, it’s essential to consistently create backups of your website. When it comes to WordPress site maintenance and management, the importance of backups can’t be stressed enough.
One of the reasons they should be a priority is that they help ensure your website’s content will always be available, even if something happens to your original files. Backups also make it easy to restore your website if it is ever hacked or damaged.
Plus, having a backup can save you a lot of time and money if you ever need to rebuild your site from scratch. The more frequently you back up your website, the more likely you are to have an updated version of it to restore in an emergency.
How often should you back up your WordPress website? It depends on how often you make changes to it. If you only update your site occasionally, then backing it up once a month or so should be sufficient. However, if you are constantly tweaking your site, then you may want to consider a solution that saves every change.
Real-time backups mean that your website’s content is constantly being saved as you make modifications. They also make it easy to restore your website to a previous state in a matter of minutes.
For WordPress users, Jetpack Backup is a trusted option for those looking to protect their work.
It offers a complete solution for handling website backups. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and lets you restore your site from anywhere, even if it’s offline.
Take control of your WordPress maintenance
If you see the DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN error when you’re trying to connect to a website, it likely means that the DNS can’t find the address of the page you’re trying to reach. This can happen for a number of reasons. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to resolve it.
As we discussed in this post, you can often fix this error by simply checking and refreshing your DNS and network settings. In addition to configuring proper DNS and browser settings, it’s also important to make sure you’re creating regular backups of your website so you can quickly resolve other site or browser-related errors in the future.
When putting together a WordPress site, it’s easy to get lost in the details. The content management system (CMS) offers so many features and options, it can be hard to decide what’s best for your website.
There’s a lot of talk about topics like what pages to include or how to set up a site header and menu. However, a slightly less talked about feature is the widget.
Thankfully, that’s the focus of our article today. We’ll break down what WordPress widgets are, explain how they work, and offer examples of how to set up widgets on multiple areas of your website.
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
What are WordPress widgets?
A WordPress widget is a drag-and-drop content feature that you can place almost anywhere on your WordPress website.
Widgets were originally designed to give users more control over their sidebar content. Over time, however, the WordPress community found new and improved ways to use widgets throughout a site.
For example, most WordPress themes now come equipped with widget-ready areas that can be used to display all sorts of helpful information.
This includes things like social media feeds, email opt-in forms, search bars, and more. You can even use widgets to create custom navigation menus in certain areas of your site.
In other words, widgets are versatile tools that can be used in a number of ways to improve the overall design and functionality of a WordPress website.
How do WordPress widgets work?
Now that we know what a WordPress widget is, it’s time to take a look at how they work.
For the most part, working with widgets is a pretty straightforward process. That said, there are a few key things you need to know before diving in and adding your first widget.
1. Widgets require a widget-ready area
As we mentioned before, not all WordPress themes come equipped with widget-ready areas. If you want to use them on your site, be sure to check and see if your theme has pre-designed locations for them.
If your theme does have widget-ready areas, you’ll be able to find them by navigating to the Appearance → Widgets section of your WordPress admin panel. Here, you should see a list of all the available widget areas on your site, as well as which ones are currently populated with content.
If you don’t see any widget areas listed, it’s likely that your theme doesn’t support them. In that case, you’ll need to either choose a different theme or look into installing a WordPress plugin that can create custom widget areas for you.
2. You can add widgets via the Appearance → Widgets section
The Appearance → Widgets area of the WordPress dashboard is where you’ll go to add, remove, and manage all the widgets on your site.
To add a new widget, simply drag and drop it from the list of available widgets into the desired location. Once you’ve added a widget to an area, you can then configure its settings to better suit your needs.
Let’s say you want to add a social media icon widget to your site. Drag and drop the Social Icons block wherever you’d like, then click on the widget to open its settings panel.
This will appear on the right side of the page, and allow you to choose which social media platforms to display links for, as well as how many links to show, what order they should be displayed in, and more.
Some widgets will have more settings than others. For example, a simple text widget will only let you add content, whereas a more complex widget, like the Jetpack Display WordPress Posts widget, has settings for blog URL, the number of posts you’d like to display, whether the links should open in a new tab, etc.
3. You can add widgets to multiple areas
For example, if you want to display a social media widget in both your sidebar and footer, you can simply add it to both areas from the Appearance → Widgets section.
This can be helpful if you want to make sure that your content is being seen by as many people as possible. It can also be useful for testing purposes, as you can easily add and remove widgets from different areas of your site without affecting the rest of your content.
What are some popular WordPress widgets?
There are all sorts of different WordPress widgets available, ranging from simple text boxes to complex social media plugins. If you’re using a block theme, you can also add any block that you’d like to a widgetized area.
Some of the most popular widgets include:
Thesocial media icons widget: This widget lets you display links to your social media profiles in a variety of ways.
Social media feed widgets: A social feed widget lets you display a feed of your social media content on your website. This can be helpful for promoting your latest posts and engaging with your audience.
A search bar: The search bar widget lets visitors quickly look for a specific piece of content on your site. This is especially helpful if you have a large volume of posts or pages.
Email opt-in forms: An email opt-in form widget lets you collect email addresses from visitors so that you can add them to your mailing list. This is a great way to grow your list and promote your content.
Calendar widgets: A calendar widget can be helpful for displaying events or deadlines on your site.
Slideshow widgets: A slideshow widget lets you display a series of images in a rotating carousel. This is a great way to showcase multiple images on your site.
RSS feed widgets: An RSS feed widget lets you display the latest content from another website on your site. This is helpful for keeping your content fresh and up-to-date.
Weather widgets: A weather widget can be used to display the current weather conditions. This is useful for sites that are weather-dependent, such as a ski resort or golf course.
Of course, this is just a small sampling of the types of widgets that are available. There are hundreds of different plugins and themes that offer their own custom widgets, so do your due diligence in finding those that best serve your needs.
If you’re using Jetpack, you’ll enjoy access to quite a few widgets and blocks by default, including:
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics, let’s take a look at how you can actually add widgets to your WordPress site in detail.
The Appearance → Widgets section is where you’ll find all the available widget areas on your site. Simply click the + sign in the designated widgetized area and select from the available widgets.
It’s important to note, however, that because widgets don’t have autosave or revisions functionality, you should always back up your WordPress site before adding new widgets or updating existing ones.
Here’s a brief rundown of how to add widgets to various places on a WordPress website. Note that these instructions assume that you’re using the Block Editor on your site.
1. In your sidebar
To add widgets to your sidebar, simply click Appearance → Widgets then click on the + icon and search for the widget you want to add.
In this example, we’ve added a business hours widget to the sidebar.
By default, this widget will appear on all posts and pages. Be sure to click Update at the top of the screen to save your changes.
2. In your header
If your theme includes widget areas in the header, you can add blocks by going to Appearance → Widgets. All you need to do is locate the widgetized section that reads “Header†then click the + sign within it to search for and select a widget.
Or, if you’re using a block theme, you can go to Appearance → Editor, open the Template Parts list, and click on Header. Then you can drag and drop blocks just like you would elsewhere on your site.
3. In your footer
If your theme includes widget areas in the footer, you can add blocks from the Appearance → Widgets section. Just click the + sign under “Footer,†then select the appropriate widget to insert.
Or, if you’re using a block theme, you can go to Appearance → Editor, open the Template Parts list, and click on Footer. Then you can drag and drop blocks just like you would elsewhere on your site.
4. On specific pages or posts
If you want to conditionally display WordPress widgets (i.e. show or hide widgets based on certain conditions), you can do so using Jetpack. Simply install and activate the plugin, then go to the Appearance → Widgets section.
Insert the widget as you would normally, then click the gear icon on the right hand side of the screen to access customization options.
From there, scroll down to the Advanced section. Click the drop down, then select the button that says Add new rule.
From here, you can choose whether you wish to show or hide this widget and choose where you’d like the rule to apply.
Here, we’ve selected to Show widget on the Services page, and only that page.
As always, be sure to click the Update button at the top of the Widgets screen to save these changes.
5. On specific categories or tags
This works similarly to the process of setting your preferences for the widget to appear on certain pages or posts.
Insert your widget where you’d like it to appear, then click the gear icon, and scroll down to Advanced. Click Add new rule and select Show this block under Visibility. Next to If select Category, then next to is, select the category pages on which you’d like the widget to appear.
If you want the widget to appear in multiple categories, you’ll need to set a new rule and repeat this process for each one. If you want it to appear for most categories with the exclusion of just a few, you’d be better served to select Hide this block, then choose the category for which you’d like to hide the widget.
The process is identical for setting visibility rules for tags, date, author, and, if you have WooCommerce installed, taxonomy.
6. Only to logged-in users
You can set visibility rules for how and when widgets appear for logged-in users as well. To do this, you’d perform the same tasks described previously: insert the widget, click the gear icon, select Advanced → Add new rule.
Then choose Show this block and, next to If, select User. Next to Is, select Logged In.
This can be especially helpful if you want to provide site maintenance and management resources for members of your team while they’re logged in or include exclusive content for members of your program.
7. Only on specific devices or screen sizes
There are certain instances where displaying widgets (especially sidebar widgets) would be intrusive and generally in the way. This mostly applies to mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
In these instances, hiding widgets on all mobile devices — or electing to only show them on devices with a certain screen size — is a great way to avoid this issue.
To do this, you will need a plugin. Widget Options is ideal for the job.
To install it, go to Plugins → Add New, then search for “Widget Options.†Install the plugin and click Activate.
Next, go to Appearance → Widgets and select the widget for which you’d like to apply special device/screen size display rules.
In this instance, we’ve selected the Search widget. You can see how the Widget Options plugin has added numerous visibility controls.
Here, click the tab with the device icon. Select which devices you’d like the widget to be hidden on and click Save.
How to add a new widget area in WordPress
In some cases, you might want to add an entirely new widgetized area to your WordPress site. The first thing you’ll need to do is to back up your site before making any changes. And you should also work with a child theme to avoid any mishaps.
Next, you’ll need to add a new widget area to your functions.php file. You can do this by adding the following code, as detailed by Qode Magazine:
function register_custom_widget_area() {
register_sidebar(
array(
'id' => 'new-widget-area',
'name' => esc_html__( 'My new widget area', 'theme-domain' ),
'description' => esc_html__( 'A new widget area made for testing purposes', 'theme-domain' ),
'before_widget' => '<div id="%1$s" class="widget %2$s">',
'after_widget' => '</div>',
'before_title' => '<div class="widget-title-holder"><h3 class="widget-title">',
'after_title' => '</h3></div>'
)
);
}
add_action( 'widgets_init', 'register_custom_widget_area' );
Now that you have your new area registered in functions.php, you can start adding widgets to it from the Appearance → Widgets screen in your WordPress dashboard.
If you’re using the Block Editor, click the + sign below the new widget area and add widgets as you would normally.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll still need to add a bit of additional code to one of your theme’s files to make the new widgetized area appear on your site. Place the following code snippet (again from Qode Magazine) in the appropriate file, e.g. footer.php, sidebar.php, etc:
In some cases, you may need to export and import WordPress widgets. For example, you may want to move widgets from one WordPress site to another.
Exporting and importing WordPress widgets is a straightforward process. First, you need to install and activate a plugin to assist. You can use the Widget Options plugin discussed above to accomplish this task.
Go to Settings → Widget Options and click Enable next to Import & Export Widgets.
Then go to Tools → Import / Export Widgets.
The options presented are super simple. You can either export widgets to then upload to another site or import widgets that you’ve already downloaded from elsewhere.
Select the file(s) you’d like to upload if importing. Or, select where you’d like to save the exported files to on your computer. That’s all there is to it.
In some cases, you may need to disable widgets in WordPress. For example, you may want to disable the Recent Posts widget if you don’t publish content very often.
Disabling widgets in WordPress only takes a couple of steps. While logged into the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance → Widgets and click on the one you’d like to disable. If you’d like to just get rid of the widget altogether — including any customization or settings you’ve configured — just click the widget and hit backspace or delete on your keyboard.
If you’d like to maintain the settings you’ve ascribed to this widget, however, drag it by clicking the drag icon and placing it in the Inactive Widgets section.
Frequently asked questions about WordPress widgets
Now that you’ve learned how to use WordPress widgets effectively, let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Why are my WordPress widgets not displaying?
If your WordPress widgets aren’t displaying, the most likely reason is that you haven’t added any widgets to your sidebar. To fix this, go to Appearance → Widgets and add an element to the widgetized area that you’d like.
Another reason why your WordPress widgets may not be displaying is because your theme does not support widgets. If that’s the case, then you need to switch to a widget-ready WordPress theme or manually add a widget area to your site as described above.
Why are my WordPress widgets not updating?
If you’re adding new widgets or updating existing widgets and the changes are not reflected on your website, then the most likely cause is caching. Caching enables browsers to serve saved copies of your website to returning visitors so that it loads much faster. However, this can occasionally cause temporary delays in displaying your updates to your site.
If you’re using a caching plugin, then you need to clear the cache to see the changes on your website. If that still doesn’t work, you may need to check your hosting provider’s cache or clear your own browser cache.
Why is the widgets area not showing up in the admin dashboard?
If you don’t see the widgets area in your WordPress admin dashboard, then it is most likely because your theme doesn’t support widgets. In that case, you need to switch to a widget-ready WordPress theme.
How can I change the size of a WordPress widget?
The size of a WordPress widget is determined by the theme that you’re using. If you want to change the size of a widget, then you need to edit your theme’s stylesheet. Or, you can use a plugin like Widget Options to set the specific dimensions of each widget.
But with a block theme, instead of editing your theme’s code, you can use the WordPress Editor to make template changes. For example, if you have a Post Categories block in your footer, you can simply open the Footer template, then edit the dimensions for that specific block in just a few clicks — no code required! In fact, you can control significantly more aspects with the WordPress Editor than with widget areas. Customize everything from font and background color to button appearance.
Where are widgets stored in the WordPress database?
Widgets are stored in the wp_options table under the name widget_sidebars. If you want to view all the widgets that are currently active on your website, then you can use the following SQL query:
SELECT * FROM wp_options WHERE option_name LIKE '%widget%'
This query will show all the records from the wp_options table that have the word “widget†in their option_name.
Do WordPress widgets slow down my website?
No, WordPress widgets do not slow down your website. However, if you’re using a lot of widgets, then it can make your website look cluttered and affect the user experience. Don’t get carried away with excessive widgets.
What’s the difference between a widget and a plugin?
A WordPress plugin is a piece of software that you can install on your website to add new features and functionality. Widgets are small blocks of content that you can add to your website’s sidebars and other widget-ready areas. Unlike plugins, widgets do not need to be installed and activated. However, you can install plugins to add additional widgets and blocks to your site.
WordPress widgets vs blocks — which to use and when?
WordPress widgets and blocks are two different ways to add content and functionality to your website. Widgets are older and have been around since WordPress version 2.2. Blocks, on the other hand, were introduced in WordPress version 5.0.
Widgets are small pieces of content that you can add to your website’s sidebars and other widget-ready areas. Blocks are similar to widgets in that they add specific kinds of content to your site. The block-based widget editor was introduced to bring blocks to even more areas of WordPress, including the sidebar, header, and footer.
As long as you’re using a theme that supports the Block Editor, you can use blocks anywhere. You aren’t just limited to widgetized areas — but you can put a block in a widgetized area.
In many cases throughout this article, we use these terms interchangeably.
Get started with WordPress widgets
We hope you’ve found this tutorial helpful and that you understand what WordPress widgets are and how to add them to your site. There are lots of fun and useful widgets to explore. Have fun creating a great site for your visitors and exploring unlimited possibilities with WordPress!
Including a contact form on your WordPress site gives visitors an easy way to get in touch with you. They don’t have to leave your site, dial a phone number, copy an email address, or do anything else. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to communicate with prospects while keeping personal information private.
There are a few different ways to add a contact form to your WordPress site. In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about contact forms, including how to create them, embed them, and secure them.
Why having a contact form is a good idea
There are a few reasons you might want to add a contact form to your WordPress site. Here are some of the most common ones:
It helps keep your email address private. By having a contact form, visitors can get in touch with you, but you don’t have to publicly share your email address. This can help to cut down on spam emails.
It’s more user-friendly than an email link. A lot of people are hesitant to click on email links because they don’t want to go through the trouble of opening and using an email client. Plus, if they’re not super familiar with your site, they might not want to click unknown links for fear of being directed to less-than-friendly sites. With a contact form, they can send a message quickly and safely.
It looks more professional than an email link. If you’re running a business website, then you’ll want to come across as professional as possible. Having a contact form can help with that.
It offers spam protection. You can add contact form spam protection to cut down on the amount of unwanted submissions you receive.
It aids in lead generation. If you’re looking to generate leads, you’ll want to provide several easy ways for people to reach out. A contact form is a top choice for many users, and you don’t want to leave them out of your lead generation process. You can add a form to your website and offer something in exchange for visitors’ contact information, like an eBook or white paper.
Now that we’ve gone over some of the reasons that having a contact form is a good idea, let’s take a look at how to create one.
How to create a contact form with a plugin
There are a few plugins that you can use to create a contact form, each bringing something a bit different to the table. Here are a few of the most popular options:
Contact Form 7: This is one of the most popular contact form plugins for WordPress. It’s free and easy to use, with a simple interface that allows you to create complex forms with just a few clicks.
Gravity Forms: Gravity Forms is a premium plugin that offers a great deal of flexibility when it comes to creating forms. It’s perfect for creating forms with multiple steps, such as order forms or surveys.
WPForms: WPForms is another popular contact form plugin that boasts an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface. With this tool, you can create intricate forms without having to write any code.
And while these are all solid choices, the best option for adding contact forms to WordPress is Jetpack.
Creating a contact form with Jetpack
1. Install and activate Jetpack
To begin, you’ll need to install and activate the Jetpack plugin. To do this, head over to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins → Add New.
In the search bar, type in “Jetpack†and hit enter. Click Install Now. After the plugin is installed, click Activate.
Lastly, once you’ve activated the plugin, you’ll be prompted to connect it to your WordPress.com account. If you don’t have a WordPress.com account yet, don’t worry — you can create one for free.
2. Create a contact form
Once you have Jetpack installed and activated, creating a contact form is easy. Simply navigate to Pages → Add New in your WordPress dashboard to get started.
If using the Block Editor, you can add a contact form block by clicking on the (+) symbol and selecting it from the list of available blocks. Scrolling down should take you to the section with Jetpack blocks. Or, you can search for it by name. Click Form when you find it.
From there, you can select the type of form you wish to create, including:
Contact Form
Newsletter Sign-up
RSVP Form
Registration Form
Appointment Form
Feedback Form
3. Configure your contact form settings
Now it’s time to configure your contact form settings. Here, you’ll be able to specify which email address you want the form submissions to be sent to, as well as what you want the subject line of the email to be.
To access these options, click on the pencil icon on the upper right-hand side of the block:
Here you can adjust the email address your contact form submissions are sent to, what the email subject line says, and what message someone sees upon submission. You can also choose to send users to a specific URL once they’ve completed their submission.
4. Choose which fields you want to include in your contact form
The default contact form appears as follows:
However, you can make adjustments to this. Jetpack includes a variety of default fields, such as name, email, website, and message.
You can do this by first selecting the form field you’d like to change and then clicking the green icon on the left.
In the above example, we selected the default name field. You can change this (or any) field to whatever you’d like, including:
Text
Name
Email
Website
Date Picker
Phone Number
Message
To make a field required (or optional), click on it, then select the asterisk.
To add a field to your form, click the blue + icon at the top left, scroll down to Jetpack blocks, and select the field type. You can then change the order of the form fields by dragging them.
5. Preview your contact form
Once you’ve configured your settings, it’s a good idea to preview your contact form to make sure everything looks correct. To do this, simply click on the View button at the top of the page.
The next logical step would be to publish your form, but before we discuss that process, let’s first talk about security concerns and some of the more advanced customization options available.
How to secure and customize your contact form
Now that you know how to create a contact form, it’s important to discuss some of the security concerns you’ll need to keep in mind. By default, contact forms are not secure, which means they’re susceptible to spam submissions and other malicious attacks.
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to mitigate these risks:
1. Use a CAPTCHA
A CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test that helps to ensure that only humans can submit your contact form. Visitors will need to answer a question or solve a math problem to prove that they’re an actual person.
There are also more advanced options, called reCAPTCHA, that involve checking a box or that even work invisibly to identify robots based on common user characteristics.
Another great way to combat spam submissions is by using Akismet. Akismet is a plugin that often comes pre-installed with WordPress, and it does an impressive job of automatically filtering out spam comments and contact form submissions.
It works behind the scenes so it doesn’t add any extra work for your users. It utilizes global learning from millions of websites to identify spam based on phrases used, IP addresses, and other characteristics of known spammers. It automatically filters out spam submissions so you never see them, but you can review them manually at any time if you’d like.
To configure Akismet for your contact form, go to Plugins → Add New. Search for “Akismet,†then click Install Now → Activate.
You’ll need to configure a few more things. Follow this guide to activating Akismet to be up and running in just a couple of minutes!
3. Add a honeypot field
A honeypot is a hidden form field that helps catch spam submissions. By default, Jetpack includes a honeypot field in all of its contact forms. Some other form plugins have options to add a honeypot field as well. If the one you’re using does not, you’ll need to add one manually.
Use the CSS style “display: none !important;†to make the field hidden and tabindex=â€-1″ autocomplete=â€false;†to ensure the field is empty by default.
Once you’ve done this, be sure to mark the field as required so that it’s always filled out when the form is submitted.
4. Customize the look of your contact form
In addition to securing your contact form, you may also want to customize its appearance to match the overall look and feel of your website. Advanced users can do this by adding custom CSS.
But the good news is that you can make many appearance changes from within the block editor.
For instance, if you select the button on your form, you can make changes to it via the settings panel that appears on the right-hand side of the screen.
You can change the button to be filled or outlined, change the text and background colors, and adjust the border radius. Here’s an example after playing around with the settings:
Or you can set the background color to a gradient, even going so far as changing the angle of the gradient, how much of each color is shown, and whether you’d like the gradient to be linear or radial.
You can also change the background color of the entire form by first selecting the form block, then scrolling down to Color in the block’s settings. Again, choose between a solid color and a gradient.
Want to change the width of individual fields? That’s an option, too. Simply select the field you want to edit, then choose Field Width in the settings panel. In the example below, we’ve changed the Name field to only take up 50% of the form’s width.
5. Add radio buttons and checkboxes
In addition to standard text-based fields, you can add options like checkboxes and radio buttons to your form. You’ll do this by following a similar process to adding other fields.
Navigate to the form you want to edit. Press the blue + icon at the top left of the screen.
Find the section titled Jetpack and choose from the list of fields. For example, if you want a list of radio buttons, choose the Radio field. Then, drag it into your form.
You can click the + icon within the block to add the options that visitors will choose from.
6. Add conditional logic to your contact form
Another useful customization is conditional logic. This allows you to show or hide fields based on how a user fills out your form. While Jetpack doesn’t include this functionality, you can do this with a plugin like Gravity Forms.
Let’s say that you offer interior design services. You might have a form field that asks visitors whether they’re interested in a virtual or in-person consultation. If they select “in-person,†you want to find out where their home is located.
We’re assuming that you’ve already installed Gravity Forms and created your initial form. Now, you would need to start by adding an Address field. Click on the field and scroll down in the Settings panel. Expand the Conditional Logic section and toggle the box to enable it. Choose “Show†and “All†for the first two dropdowns. Then, select the “What type of consultation are you interested in?†question for the next dropdown, followed by “is†and “In-Person.â€
Now, the address field will only appear when someone is interested in an in-person consultation. And feel free to play around here — there are a variety of options you can choose from.
7. Enable file uploads
You might also want site visitors to be able to upload files. Perhaps you’d like them to submit a photo of the project they want help with or a PDF version of their resume. You can also do this with the Gravity Forms plugin.
When editing your form, go to Add Fields and expand the Advanced Fields section. Then, drag and drop the File Upload field into your form. Click on it to configure settings like file size and whether or not you’ll accept multiple files at once.
Where and how to embed your contact form
There are a variety of places you can embed contact forms other than pages and posts. Let’s take a look at a few options.
1. In the sidebar
The sidebar can be a great place to add a contact form because it appears on multiple pages or posts throughout your site. If you’re using a block theme with full site editing capabilities, you’ll need to use the Editor to make changes to your sidebar.
In the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance → Editor, then select the template you want to edit from the top dropdown. You’ll want to click Browse All Templates to see the full list of templates. For example, if you want to edit the sidebar on all of your blog posts, choose the Single Post template.
Now, click the + icon at the top left of the Editor, search for your form block, and drag it into your sidebar column. Make any necessary changes and click Save.
If you’re not using full site editing, go to Appearance → Widgets and then expand your Sidebar area. Click the + sign to add a new block and select the appropriate Form block associated with your plugin.
2. In a template file
If you’re using a block-based theme that allows for full site editing, you can also add your contact form into any templates that you create.
Let’s say you want to add a form to your blog post template. In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Appearance → Editor and select the template you want to edit from the dropdown at the top. You might need to click Browse All Templates to see the full list.
Now, simply click the blue + icon at the top left, find your contact form block, and drag it into the template. There, you can edit the settings and make whatever changes you’d like.
3. In the footer
You might want to add your contact form to the footer so that visitors can access it no matter where they are on your site. If you’re using a block-based theme with full site editing, the steps are similar to adding a form to a template. In the WordPress dashboard, go to Appearance → Editor and select Footer from the dropdown at the top.
Click the blue + icon at the top left, find your contact form block, and drag it into the footer wherever you’d like it to go. Make any necessary changes, and save them.
If you’re not using the full site editor, you can still add a contact form to your footer. Navigate to Appearance → Widgets in the WordPress dashboard. Scroll to the Footer section — you may have multiple footer columns — click the + sign and add your contact form block wherever you’d like. Now, just edit the settings and save!
4. As an on-click popup
If you want to display your contact form as an on-click popup, there are a few WordPress plugins that can help. Let’s look at how you can do this using WPForms and the Popup Maker plugin.
Once you’ve installed and activated the plugins, simply head to WPForms → Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Then, select Use Template. Build your form and click Save.
Next, you’ll need to create a popup. Go to Popup Maker → Create Popup in your WordPress dashboard. Give it a name. Then click the Add Form button. Select the form you just made a few moments ago from the dropdown list and then click Add Form. This will insert a shortcode for the form.
Next go to Popup Settings and click the Triggers tab to configure the settings related to how and when your popup will appear. Be sure to click Add when done making your selections and customizations.
From there, go to the Targeting tab and select the conditions for where the popup will appear. This is where you’ll choose which pages, devices, etc. it’ll display on.
Continue clicking through the tabs in Popup Maker to set the popup’s appearance. Once you’re done making changes, click Publish. Be sure to navigate to the page(s) where you’ve set the popup form to appear to verify it’s working properly.
How to create a WordPress contact form without a plugin
If you don’t want to use a plugin to create your contact form, you can always do it yourself using WordPress core functionality. However, this method is more complex and requires some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and PHP.
You’ll also have to code all of the error handling and form field validation that comes by default when using a dedicated plugin, making what should be a simple task complex and time consuming.
We’re now going to walk you through how to create a very basic contact form, with fields for name, email address, and message. Of course, you can add more fields if you’d like to. You’ll start by adding the HTML for the form — this specific code was created by Daext:
Now, you’ll need to sanitize the data from your contact form, which means cleaning or filtering it. WordPress offers data sanitization functions to make this process easier. In this case, you’ll use the sanitize_text_field() and sanitize_texarea() functions.
Next, you’ll need to set up form validation, which validates that fields aren’t left empty when the form is submitted. You’ll also add error messages that appear if a field doesn’t pass validation. You can use the following code to do this, editing the messages if you’d like:
//Validate the data
if ( strlen( $full_name ) === 0 ) {
$validation_messages[] = esc_html__( 'Please enter a valid name.', 'twentytwentyone' );
}
if ( strlen( $email ) === 0 or
! is_email( $email ) ) {
$validation_messages[] = esc_html__( 'Please enter a valid email address.', 'twentytwentyone' );
}
if ( strlen( $message ) === 0 ) {
$validation_messages[] = esc_html__( 'Please enter a valid message.', 'twentytwentyone' );
}
You’ll also need to add code to display the error messages, send an email with the form submission to the site administrator, and create a shortcode that allows you to add the form to one of your pages. You can then style the form to match your site’s design.
You can find more detailed instructions and code for all of those functions in the walkthrough from Daext.
Frequently asked questions
Now let’s review a few of the most commonly-asked questions about creating contact forms in WordPress.
1. Do I need a plugin to create a contact form in WordPress?
There are plugins that can assist you in creating a contact form, but you may also accomplish it without one. This approach is more difficult and necessitates some fundamental HTML, CSS, and PHP knowledge.
2. How do I add a contact form to my WordPress website?
There are two methods you can use to add a contact form to your WordPress website. You can either use a plugin or do it yourself using code.
If you want to use a plugin, Jetpack is a great choice. It’s easy to use and comes with everything you need to create a powerful contact form.
3. What should I do if I’m not receiving emails from my contact form?
If you’re not receiving emails from your contact form, there are a few things you can check.
First, contact your hosting provider to see if there are any restrictions in place that could be blocking the email from being sent.
Next, check the settings of your contact form to make sure the email is being sent to the correct address.
If none of that fixes the problem, you may need to use an SMTP plugin to help validate and send your emails.
4. Can I add a contact form to my WordPress sidebar?
Yes! If you want to add a contact form to your WordPress sidebar, just insert the Jetpack Form Block into your page or post template (if using full site editing) or sidebar widget area.
5. Do I need a separate contact page on my WordPress website?
No, you don’t necessarily need a separate contact page on your WordPress website. However, you may want one so that visitors can easily find your contact form. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to include additional information about how visitors can get in touch with you.
For example, you may want to include your email address, phone number, and social media links on your contact page. This way, visitors can choose the method they’re most comfortable with.
6. Do I need a separate contact form for each page on my WordPress website?
No, you don’t need a separate contact form for each page on your WordPress website. However, this could allow you to collect more relevant data from your visitors.
For example, if you have a form on your contactpage, you may want to ask visitors for their name and email address. But if you have a contact form on a support page, you may want to ask for their name, email address, and to select a type of issue they’re experiencing.
7. What is the best way to stop spam on WordPress contact forms?
There are a few things you can do to stop spam on your WordPress contact forms.
We recommend enabling Akismet. Using AI learning from millions of websites to identify common traits of spam, it works behind the scenes to stop unwanted messages before they ever reach your inbox.
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS). It powers over 40% of all websites and more than 64% of those that use a CMS. It’s easy to use and customize. But is it the best option for enterprise websites?
WordPress continues to grow in popularity as large companies realize its capabilities for building a robust site that can scale with their needs. But if you want to use WordPress for enterprise, it’s essential to understand how it works. It’s also worth exploring examples of how you can use the CMS, along with some plugins and hosting options you can leverage.
In this post, we’ll discuss what to expect from the WordPress enterprise ecosystem, its benefits, and the best WordPress plugins to use. We’ll also cover real-world examples of WordPress enterprise sites and wrap up with frequently asked questions (FAQs).
Is WordPress enterprise ready?
An enterprise CMS is a system used to manage websites for large organizations. It handles content, workflow, user roles, and other aspects of site administration.
But is WordPress powerful enough to be a viable option for your big company? The short answer is yes. WordPress is a robust CMS used to power some of the largest websites in the world. It’s flexible, easy to use, and highly customizable.
If you want to make WordPress completely enterprise-ready, however, there are a few things you’ll need to do first, including:
Choosing reliable, fast hosting
Installing helpful plugins
Adding multilingual functionality
Implementing security solutions
How robust is the WordPress enterprise ecosystem?
WordPress has been around since 2003, making it one of the oldest content management systems. This long history means that it’s mature, with a rich ecosystem of developers, resources, and tools.
The WordPress community is one of the most active worldwide, with thousands of developers contributing to its development and management. If you run into any issues with security or performance, there’s a good chance that someone else has already solved it. They’ve likely also made their solution available for you to use, too.
Furthermore, WordPress has a huge library of plugins and themes that allow you to customize your site however you’d like.
What are the benefits of using WordPress for enterprise sites?
WordPress offers many advantages over other content management systems, including ease of use, cost savings, and flexibility for customizing enterprise-level sites. Here are just a few of the benefits:
1. Powerful and automated backup solutions
With WordPress, there are a variety of excellent options for backing up your website. This protects you in case anything ever goes wrong, like a hack or coding error.
You can always manually save a copy of your site from your hosting provider or with file transfer protocol (FTP) software. Or, you can use a plugin like Jetpack Backup, which backs up your site in real time.
This solution is incredibly powerful, because it means that every action that takes places on your site — a product sale, a contact form submission, an updated page, an added plugin — is saved automatically. You’ll always have a copy of the latest version of your site on-hand, that you can restore in just a few clicks.
Your backups are also stored on trusted servers — the same ones used for all of the WordPress.com sites — completely separately from your hosting provider. So if your host’s server is compromised, your off-site backups won’t be.
This type of backup solution is critical for enterprise-level businesses who simply can’t afford to have their site down for long periods of time or, even worse, lose all of their content or data completely.
2. Enterprise-grade security options
No platform is ever completely safe from hackers or security vulnerabilities. But WordPress developers are constantly working on the platform to ensure that it’s built with high-quality, clean code, and they respond quickly if any vulnerabilities are ever found. Unlike other tools like Joomla, you can also turn on auto-updates to automatically update your software to its latest version. This will apply any security patches and protect your site from potential vulnerabilities.
And since WordPress is so flexible, you can use any number of top security solutions to further safeguard and protect your website. While there are lots of great options out there, Jetpack Security is a complete WordPress security tool, providing a range of features all in one plugin.
In addition to the real-time backups we discussed a moment ago, you’ll also benefit from:
Automatic malware scans: Jetpack uses an always-updated database of known malware and suspicious indicators to spot any problems on your site. It scans your files 24/7 and sends you an instant alert if anything is found so you can take care of it right away.
Downtime monitoring: Large companies can’t afford downtime. Find out the second your site goes down so you can troubleshoot and get it back up again quickly.
Two-factor authentication: Along with their account information, require administrators to enter a one-time code sent to their mobile device each time they log in.
An activity log: Keep track of every action taken on your site and find out who performed it and when. This is great for monitoring activity from various team members and also identifying the source of any problems. For example, if your site goes down, you might be able to identify that the cause was a plugin update. You can also use this to restore a backup from right before a hack or other issue occurred.
Spam prevention: Automatically filter comments and contact form submissions so that annoying and dangerous spam never reaches the front of your site.
Brute force attack protection: Block hackers who try to get into your site by trying thousands of passwords per second.
When you’re running an enterprise site, security is more important than ever. Every minute your site is down or compromised means lost revenue and a damaged reputation. And if you hand customer or client information over to malicious actors, it could be devastating.
But putting your trust in a platform like WordPress — which understands and optimizes for security at a high level — and taking advantage of resources like Jetpack Security enable you to protect your site and sleep well at night.
3. Enterprise content management support
Content is at the heart of many enterprise websites. It educates clients and customers, keeps you top of mind, and is integral for a variety of marketing strategies. So it’s important that the CMS you choose enables you to create beautiful, effective content easily and quickly.
That’s exactly what WordPress does. Creating beautiful pages and blog posts is simple thanks to the built-in block editor. You can add all sorts of elements — paragraphs, images, videos, columns, social media feeds, calls to action, and more — to a post just by dragging and dropping it.
And managing content is just as easy. You can create user roles for your various team members, restricting their level of access to just what they need to fulfill their role. For example, your marketing manager might have full administrator-level access, while content writers may just be able to load their own post into the dashboard without making any other changes.
Speaking of the WordPress dashboard — it acts as a central hub for your website and content management. There, you can add and edit your posts, respond to comments, schedule your posts to publish, and more.
WordPress VIP takes things one step further for enterprise sites, adding powerful and agile content marketing and management capabilities.
What does this mean exactly? WordPress VIP helps you respond quickly and adapt to the frequently-changing market. Here are some things you can accomplish:
Create custom publishing workflows.
Integrate with tools you already use like Salesforce. If there’s not a ready-made integration, you can take advantage of the WordPress API to create one.
Define customer structures and taxonomies for your content.
Add plugins for Accelerated Mobile Pages, Progresssive Web Apps, and Web Stories.
Take advantage of a platform that automatically scales to accommodate traffic spikes.
Dive into in-depth analytics, with real-time data, conversion attribution, and audience segmentation.
WordPress is extremely developer-friendly, with endless opportunities for customization. It’s an open-source platform, so developers have full access to all of the code so they can customize it to meet your exact needs. They can also use the powerful WordPress REST API to connect your website to any third-party tools that you use for appointments, client relationship management, marketing, and more.
And because WordPress is so popular, there’s a wealth of top-quality developers available to assist with any needs that you have. Want a custom-built site with very specific requirements? There’s a developer for that. Need something to maintain your enterprise website on a weekly basis? There’s someone who can help with that, too.
Looking for an eCommerce-specific developer? Check out the WooExperts marketplace, with agencies personally vetted by WooCommerce.
5. Extensive flexibility and scalability
As your company grows, you want your website software to be able to accommodate a lot more traffic, more users, and any additional functionality that you might need.
Say you’re using WordPress as a static website for your service-based business. But, as you grow, you decide to add a forum for your customers, an option to book appointments online, and an online store for supplementary merchandise. You can add all of those tools to your existing site without having to switch platforms or craft any complicated code.
WordPress also enables you to choose any hosting provider that you’d like. This means you can find a plan that suits your needs and scales to accommodate your website traffic. You can also choose a plan that includes extras like a super-fast CDN, caching tools, and staging sites for testing changes.
Since WordPress is completely free, you’re not nickel and dimed each time you get more site visitors or list more products.
Finally, WordPress code is regularly checked and updated with scalability in mind. A global team works to update the software to meet the latest standards in performance, accessibility, and more. All of this combined means that you can trust WordPress for your enterprise site, no matter how much you grow.
6. Easy customization and usability
A lot of the benefits we’ve talked about already go back to the same thing — customization and usability. Thanks to the huge library of available free and premium plugins, you can add any sort of functionality you’d like to your site and meet any need that your enterprise has.
You can also choose from a variety of themes that help dictate the design of your site. Work with something super flexible and customizable or choose a theme with pre-made demos and switch out content related to your business.
And if you have a variety of team members who contribute to your website, the onboarding process is much simpler than with other enterprise CMS options. Without any code or development knowledge whatsoever, someone can create a new page or post using the block editor, edit colors or fonts with the Customizer, respond to comments, add new products, and more. Website maintenance and management is incredibly duplicatable and easy to scale.
What are the best WordPress plugins for enterprise sites?
Plugins add extra functionality to your website, and there are both free and premium options available. If you have a need, there’s almost certainly a plugin available to fill it. Let’s take a look at just a few great options for enterprise WordPress sites:
Jetpack is packed full of features that provide a ton of necessary functionality for large websites, from security and backups to performance, analytics, marketing, and more. But you can also disable any functionality that you’re not using to keep your site lightweight. There are both free and premium features available, including:
Real-time backups: Save every single action that takes place and restore a backup in just a few clicks, even if your site is down.
Additional security tools: Protect your site with downtime monitoring, malware scanning, brute force attack prevention, two-factor authentication, and more.
Performance tools: Speed up your website by implementing a super fast CDN, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, lazy loading images, and more.
Spam prevention: Get rid of offensive and distracting spam comments and contact form submissions.
Site search: Implement super fast site search, with powerful filters and spelling correction.
Video hosting: Speed up your videos while avoiding third-party ads.
Analytics: Get insights into how your site is performing and who makes up your audience.
Jetpack also offers a WordPress CRM (customer relationship management tool), which is essential for any enterprise-level business. It enables you to manage your leads, prospects, clients, and customers, helping you grow your company and streamline your marketing efforts.
With Jetpack CRM, you can send quotes and invoices, see all of your contacts in one place, manage your sales funnel, view client history and interactions, assign leads to specific team members, and more. And you can do all of this directly in the WordPress dashboard!
And since Jetpack and Jetpack CRM are maintained by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, you can benefit from seamless integration, simple setup, and world-class support.
WooCommerce is the go-to eCommerce solution for WordPress, providing everything you need to sell online — product listings, cart and checkout pages, payment solutions, and more. It’s maintained by Automattic and is built to scale, with no limit on number of products or sales. The best part? It’s completely free.
It’s also super flexible, just like WordPress, and offers a library of free and premium extensions that provide tons of additional functionality. Want to sync inventory with your warehouse? Integrate with Facebook or Google Shopping? Sell in multiple currencies? There’s an extension for that.
And you can sell more than just physical items, too. Offer digital downloads, memberships, subscriptions, bookings, accommodations, wholesale products, and more. Or combine any of those to create your own custom solution.
WooCommerce also integrates seamlessly with Jetpack CRM and a variety of other marketing tools to make your life just a little easier.
OptinMonster is a powerful tool for converting leads and capturing email subscribers. You can create a huge variety of pop-up types, including:
Lightboxes: Traditional style pop-ups you can use to display announcements and sales or capture email addresses
Floating bars: Sticky bars in your header or footer that are perfect for sales, important messages, free shipping notices, and more
Spin a wheel popups: A fun concept that allows visitors to spin a wheel to win a randomized coupon code
Inline signup forms: Perfect to insert in the middle of blog posts and other content
There are endless ways you can use this plugin. And you can craft all of your pop-ups with a drag-and-drop builder that keeps things super simple. It even integrates with your favorite tools, like Campaign Monitor, HubSpot, Drip, and more. There’s a free version available, along with a premium option that includes additional features.
LiveChat is a feature-rich tool that enables you to add a chat box to your enterprise WordPress site. You can add 24/7 support, with automatic quick replies to frequently asked questions, and even send targeted messages to visitors based on the actions they take on your site.
While the plugin itself is free, you do need a paid LiveChat account to activate its features.
Yoast SEO is a plugin specifically designed to help you implement search engine optimization strategies across your site. Without having to edit code, you can make changes to your sitemap, edit meta descriptions and titles for posts, pages, and custom post types, update indexing settings, and more.
For each page or post, you can insert the keyword that you’re targeting and Yoast will generate a list of suggestions for each one. For example, it might advise you to use your keyword more frequently, increase the length of your content, add more external links, and include alt text for your images.
The premium version of the plugin has additional features like link suggestions and content quality analyses.
Adding a knowledge base to your website can be extremely beneficial, whether you’re using it for product documentation, service documents, or employee handbooks. Echo Knowledge Base makes it easy to create that documentation, organize it by type, order it based on a variety of factors, and more. You can even add a search bar to make it easy for customers to use.
Like many of the other plugins here, there is both a free and premium version available, with varying features.
You can use a business directory for a variety of purposes — display all the members of your team, showcase everyone in your club or organization, or maintain an internal staff directory. And the Connections Business Directory plugin is a free plugin that makes creating one easy and fast. You can even extend its capabilities with add-ons for creating extra fields, sending marketing messages, and more.
WPML is a multilingual tool that helps you translate your content and display your website in multiple languages. This, of course, is extremely beneficial if your enterprise business works with clients and customers across the globe.
You can either manually translate content yourself, use the automatic translation tool, or send your text to WPML’s trusted translation partners. And the tool can translate everything from paragraphs and headings to alt text, widgets, menus, product data, and text in plugins and admin screens.
WPML is a premium plugin, with several plans based on the features you need.
This plugin offers a set of tools that level up your publishing process within WordPress, including:
An editorial calendar to help you plan and schedule content
Custom post statuses that you can set based on your specific process
Editorial comments to facilitate discussion between team members
The ability to group posts into a series
Custom viewing and editing permissions
Publishing checklists and to-do lists
You can purchase features separately or bundled together.
And remember — these are just a handful of the great WordPress plugins for enterprise sites. You can check out free options in the WordPress.org repository, or find premium plugins across a variety of reputable marketplaces.
Real-world examples of WordPress enterprise websites
Businesses of all niches and sizes can use WordPress. Let’s look at real-world examples of WordPress enterprise websites to give you a better idea of some possibilities!
ISC provides industrial products for equipment manufacturers and other companies. Built with WordPress and WooCommerce, their site features hundreds of products alongside helpful resources like blog posts and FAQs. They also offer a live chat feature and request a quote functionality.
Nalgene is a popular outdoor brand that offers BPA-free water bottles and accessories. They used WordPress and WooCommerce to build their online store, which is packed full of items that can be easily accessed through a mega menu. Customers can even create their own custom water bottle directly on the site.
Dr. Scholl’s is a globally-known foot care brand that sells shoe inserts and various treatments for feet problems — all using WooCommerce and WordPress. Customers can purchase products on their site or use the Where to Buy tool to find them in their local store. There’s also a robust blog available to visitors, along with a nifty tool that advises shoppers on the right insole for their specific needs.
The National Archives is the British government’s official online archive. It stores everything from wills and military service records to medals, passenger lists, and war diaries — more than 32 million descriptions of records, nine million of which are available for download. Visitors can search the large database and find detailed information about each record.
The New York Times is one of the most popular and prolific American newspapers, with a corporate website powered by WordPress. It provides information about the company behind the news articles, stories, and op-eds that are available to visitors across the globe.
Qualtrics is a research platform that offers customer, market, and employee insights. The American customer experience management company uses its WordPress website to provide cloud-based subscription software and collect customer feedback.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about using WordPress as an enterprise CMS
At this point, we’ve covered just about everything there is to know about using WordPress for enterprise. But to make sure we didn’t miss any important points, let’s wrap up with some FAQs!
What features should an enterprise CMS offer?
There are a handful of features that an enterprise CMS should offer. Security is one of the most important considerations. As your site grows, it’s more important than ever to protect it against hackers and other threats.
You’ll also need access to automated backups, scalable and flexible software, and premium support.
Is WordPress the best enterprise CMS?
Yes, WordPress is considered to be the best all-around enterprise CMS. But that’s not just because of its popularity. Since millions of people use WordPress every day, there are tons of plugins, themes, and developers who can help you customize your site.
WordPress is incredibly flexible, offering functionality for online stores, forums, directories, and more. It also integrates with a variety of tools your business may already use, like CRMs, marketing platforms, and warehouse solutions. WordPress is easy to customize and use, highly extensible and scalable, and secure by nature.
However, the specific CMS that you choose will depend on your unique business and needs.
How do I choose a host for my enterprise-level site?
The most important thing is ensuring that your enterprise WordPress site has a solid foundation. You can’t expect your website to perform at its best using subpar hosting.
So it’s essential to choose a company that offers WordPress enterprise-grade hosting, with servers and plans specifically optimized for large volumes of traffic. You’ll also want to look for 24/7 support and a guarantee of 99%+ uptime.
WordPress VIP is an excellent option for enterprise-based sites. It’s a managed WordPress hosting service from Automattic, with powerful features specifically for large businesses. It’s built on a solid, super fast foundation that responds effortlessly to traffic spikes and keeps your data super secure.
Start building your WordPress enterprise site today
WordPress is an excellent option for enterprise websites, offering an extensive library of plugins, themes, and tools, access to a plethora of developers and resources, and strong security and content management solutions.
With a reliable and fast hosting provider and plugins that meet your needs, you can grow your business with WordPress!
If you’re looking to build a website, you’ve probably run across information on WordPress, the most popular content management system (CMS) on the web. But what exactly is WordPress? What can you create with it? And how can you build a site using its tools?
Let’s take a look at the answers to all of those questions, plus a few more.
What is WordPress?
At its core, WordPress is free software that anyone can use to create a website. It falls into the category of CMS — content management system — which is a tool used to build and manage websites without code. In fact, this is a key component of WordPress, because it empowers business owners, bloggers, influencers, and the average person to share what they’re passionate about on the web.
On their website, WordPress states: “We believe great software should work with minimum set up, so you can focus on sharing your story, product, or services freely.†This is at the heart of everything they do.
Here are some other important things to know about WordPress:
It’s open-source. The software is freely available and can be modified and distributed in any number of ways. What does this mean for you? There’s a huge community of people passionate about WordPress who are involved in making it better each and every day. They work together to develop new features, fix bugs, and solve problems that users experience. You can trust that you’re getting opinions and solutions from the best of the best in their respective areas.
It’s incredibly powerful and flexible. WordPress includes tons of top-notch features by default. But there are also thousands of free and premium plugins available with additional functionality you can incorporate. There’s a solution for just about any need you have, so there are absolutely no limits when it comes to your site. And, if there isn’t an out-of-the-box solution, the code can be easily modified by a developer to build whatever you’d like.
It’s the most popular website building tool. 43% of the web uses WordPress, from small blogs to enterprise sites, online stores, and forums.
The community is like no other. This goes back to the idea of open-source. There are lots of people — experts and beginners alike — who love the freedoms that come with WordPress. You’ll find online support forums, Facebook groups, podcasts, and in-person meetups full of people to connect with, share tips and tricks with, and learn from.
What is WordPress used for?
We touched just a bit on how flexible WordPress is, so it should be no surprise that it can be used in a huge variety of ways. Let’s look at just a few!
A site builder
You can use WordPress to build absolutely any kind of site you can imagine, from a hobby blog to a business site with hundreds of thousands of visitors. And you can do all of this without having to edit a single line of code!
How does it work?
WordPress content revolves around the block editor, a powerful drag-and-drop tool that you can use to create any sort of design you’d like. It uses blocks to construct pages and posts — these are individual elements that make up a page, like paragraphs, headings, images, videos, and columns. All you have to do is find the one you want to use, drag it into your page, then click a few buttons to customize settings like colors and styles.
There’s also a library full of block patterns that you can choose from. These act as pre-designed layouts for entire sections of content — think pricing tables, portfolios, FAQs, and service grids. Just drag a section you like into your page design, then switch out images and text as necessary. Then you’re ready to go — it’s that simple!
And you really can create anything you can dream up. Gracenote, for example, created a clean, professional website to showcase their entertainment services and impressive client database. Thatgamecompany built a highly-visual site with full-screen videos and fun animations that feature their video games. And the Dallas Mavericks have a WordPress website full of grunge textures, interactive elements, and colorful photos.
Three completely different sites — all built with WordPress.
An eCommerce store builder
Online stores can encompass a wide variety of merchants, from traditional retailers and digital product creators to membership sites, service-based businesses, wholesalers, and software engineers. And WordPress enables you to create all of those store types — and more — with the help of WooCommerce.
WooCommerce is the eCommerce arm of WordPress, supported and maintained by Automattic. It’s completely free, and integrates seamlessly with WordPress sites to add everything you need for an online store. It enables you to list products, accept payments, ship physical items, offer coupons, and more. There’s also an impressive library full of free and premium extensions that provide additional functionality for subscriptions, memberships, marketing, design, and more.
Adding products and setting up your store is just as simple as creating pages and posts. There’s a setup wizard that walks you through all the steps you need to get started, even making suggestions based on the type of store you’re running.
And the product builder is straightforward, making adding items to your store fast and easy. All you have to do is fill out a series of fields — like the product title, price, SKU, description, and inventory levels — then add images to the gallery.
Of course, there’s a lot more you can do with your store, especially when harnessing the power of extensions. And there’s extensive documentation and a knowledgeable support team available to help you along the way.
Want some real-life examples? Here are some WooCommerce stores across a variety of industries and product types:
Good Dye Young sells hair dye and other accessories — physical products that they ship to their customers.
Style Girlfriend offers styling services for men, accepting payments and displaying those services with WooCommerce.
TipoType is a type foundry, with a variety of digital typefaces and licenses for sale.
boldSOCKS sells both one-off socks for men and women, along with subscription boxes that automatically ship products once a month.
Dumpster Market compiles dumpster rentals across the country and enables customers to book them for a chosen date and time.
Perfusion.com offers a membership program that provides subscribers with access to a cardiovascular content library, event discounts, a database of medical professionals, premium tools, and more.
Porta Pro Chem is a distributor of portable restroom supplies, offering product quotes and special pricing for each of their wholesale customers.
AdvantageLearn.com provides online courses to students preparing for university.
As you can see, the possibilities with WordPress and WooCommerce are endless. See even more examples.
A blog and publishing platform
Content creation and publishing are at the heart of everything that WordPress does. In fact, it was originally built as a blogging platform! That means that it provides top-level tools for bloggers and publishers.
It’s easy to present content in a way that’s consumable by site visitors, whether that’s in a grid, masonry format, or simple vertical feed. And, of course, the technical aspects are all there, too. WordPress is responsive, accessible, and SEO-friendly, ensuring that everyone can make the most of your posts — from mobile, desktop, and screen reader users to search engine robots.
You can add blog posts to your website using the block editor that we discussed in more detail above. This enables you to easily create truly unique content that’s more than just text. You can include images, videos, quote boxes, social media feeds, sliders, and more!
But don’t just take it from us. There are endless examples of sites using WordPress as a blog or publishing tool. TechCrunch, for instance, has a clean, super engaging layout for their blog posts, including elements like social share buttons and email newsletter options. Oh She Glows has a beautiful, image-heavy blog feed to showcase available recipes. And Pousta uses WordPress to display the content that makes up their graphic-focused arts and culture magazine.
A customer relationship management system (CRM)
A customer relationship management tool (CRM) corrals all the information about your contacts, prospects, customers, and clients in one place, making it easier to manage and keep up with each and every one.
Jetpack CRM allows you to truly use WordPress as a CRM. It pulls all of its tools directly into the WordPress dashboard, available in the same place that you add posts, create pages, and more. But what exactly does it do and how can it help you?
It strengthens your sales, marketing, and customer service processes no matter what type of business you run. It gathers all of your customer and prospect data in one place, so you can view key information — like revenue and sales funnel information — at a glance. The CRM also has a detailed profile for each contact, with a record of every single interaction you’ve had with them, plus their preferences and engagement history with your company.
Want to set up a client portal? Send quotes and invoices? Share prospect information across sales team members? Email specific segments of your customer base? Jetpack CRM enables you to do all of that, from inside WordPress. This is an incredibly powerful opportunity for any business, whether you run an ice cream shop, online store, or graphic design agency.
How to use WordPress to build a secure site
Okay, so now that you have the answer to, “What is WordPress?†and you’ve learned what WordPress is used for, let’s dive into how you can build a safe, secure website.
1. Find a host for your WordPress site
A hosting provider stores your website’s files and makes them available for visitors to view when they type in your URL. It serves as the foundation of your site when it comes to security, site speed, and more. So it’s important to choose the right one!
Here are some important qualities of a good host:
Offers excellent support. You’ll want to be able to get help whenever you need it. Look for a provider with 24/7 support in whatever method you prefer — live chat, phone, email, etc.
Includes security features. You’ll want to pick a host with features like malware scanning, SSL certificates, and a server-side firewall.
Sets you up for growth. Choose a host that allows you to easily scale and switch to a plan with more resources as you grow.
Supports WordPress. Many providers include one-click WordPress installation, settings specific to the platform, and even premium plugins in your plan at no additional cost.
Includes any specialty features you need. If they’re important to you, choose a host with features like staging functionality, automated migrations, or workflow tools. Not every site will need these types of advanced features, however.
If you’re looking for the easiest, fastest way to start, with a host that’s 100% dedicated to WordPress, consider giving WordPress.com a try. It takes file and server maintenance completely off your plate and simplifies all of your site management. There are several plans available, but we highly recommend choosing a premium plan that allows you to install and utilize plugins.
We’ve also put together a list of recommended hosts that cover a wide range of budgets and features.
2. Install WordPress
Next, you’ll need to install WordPress on your host’s server. Most providers include one-click WordPress installation, which simplifies and speeds up the process. Check out their documentation for detailed instructions.
Note: If you’re using WordPress.com, it’s pre-installed, so you can skip to the next step.
The WordPress dashboard is the area where you’ll manage every aspect of your site, from pages and posts to comments, products, and settings. You can log in to your WordPress site by going to yoururl.com/wp-admin and using the credentials you created when installing WordPress.
Check out our guide to the WordPress admin dashboard for detailed instructions on navigating every aspect.
3. Choose a theme
A theme sets the general design of your site as a whole, though you can customize details like colors, fonts, and more. Some themes act as pre-designed templates, enabling you to simply switch out elements and run with a ready-to-go site. Others are more like frameworks, allowing room for tons of customization. You’ll want to choose one that fits your experience and knowledge level.
Here are some other considerations:
Level of support. Most free themes include forum-based support, while premium themes often offer ticket-based support for a certain period of time. You’ll also want to choose a theme with excellent documentation to walk you through setup.
Demos and templates available. If you want to use a ready-made design or layout, make sure that your theme has great demos that you can implement in a few clicks.
Ease of use. What’s your technological and WordPress experience? Ensure that you can implement and make the most of your theme based on your capabilities.
Customer reviews. What do others say about the theme? What problems have they encountered and how helpful has support been?
Integration with other tools. Looking to use specific tools like WooCommerce? Make sure that your theme integrates seamlessly.
Regular updates. The developer should release new versions regularly to keep up with WordPress and plugin updates. This is important for both security and functionality.
Quality and speed. Is the code quality high? How quickly does the theme load? You can always run the theme demo pages through a page speed test like GTmetrix to get a general idea.
You can add your theme by going to Appearance → Themes in the WordPress dashboard. There, you can either choose the one you’ve selected from the WordPress theme library or upload your own.
Note: We highly recommend using a child theme, which enables you to make changes to your theme files without losing them when you update in the future. Many themes come with one included, but you can also create a child theme yourself.
4. Create your pages and posts
Now it’s time to build the pages and posts that will make up your website content. Your exact pages will vary based on your business, audience, and specific needs, but may include Home, About, Contact, FAQs, and more.
To build a page, go to Pages → Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Add a title to the page. Then, you can get started with the block editor.
In the top left, you’ll see a blue plus icon. Click this to open up a full list of available blocks. You can either scroll through to find the one you want, or use the search bar if you have something specific in mind.
Click your chosen block to add it to your page. You can also drag and drop it anywhere you’d like in relation to other content. Then you can manage the settings for that specific block. These will vary, of course, but let’s use an Image block as an example.
You’ll see a placeholder for an image after initially adding the block. There are three options that you can use to add an image: Upload, Select Image, and Insert from URL. Once you add the picture you want to use, more settings will appear.
You can use the toolbar on top of the image block to apply filters, choose the alignment, add text on top, and more. Or, use the settings panel on the right-hand side of the page to configure settings for things like alt text and image size.
Again, these will vary based on the block that you’re using.
Want to implement more of a ready-made design? Try clicking the plus icon again and selecting Patterns. This will open up the pattern library, with fully-configured layouts for things like pricing tables and FAQs. Just add one to a page, switch out the content, and you’re good to go!
For more information about using the block editor, read this guide from WordPress.com.
5. Build a navigation menu
A navigation menu is a key component of any website. It provides an easy way for visitors to move through your site and helps guide their journey. For example, you might include an attractive button that directs people to your email capture or sales page.
While your primary menu typically lives at the top of your site, in the header, there are other options, such as the sidebar, if you want to go with something a bit different. But no matter what location you choose, you’ll want to think through the organization of your menu items. Packing too many links in can be overwhelming to site visitors. If you have a lot of content, you can break your primary navigation menu down into categorized submenus, or even create a highly-visual mega menu.
To build your navigation menu, go to Appearance → Menus in the WordPress dashboard. Add a name for your menu, then use the checkboxes on the left to add pages, posts, categories, and more. You can then drag and drop each item wherever you’d like, indenting them to create submenus as necessary.
Finally, select a display location for your menu at the bottom of the page — typically “primary menu†— and click the blue Save button. Your menu will now appear on your website!
6. Install a security plugin
Now that the design of your site is ready, it’s time to start thinking about functionality like security and speed. Security is critical, whether you’re running a personal blog or an eCommerce store. It prevents you from losing the hard work you’ve put into your website and protects both you and your visitors’ data from hackers.
While WordPress is a secure platform, there are still some steps you need to take to lock down your site. Here are a few best WordPress security practices:
Always use strong passwords. Choose credentials that are hard to guess, with a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Protect against brute force attacks. These occur when hackers use bots to try and guess your login credentials. They can guess hundreds of combinations per second! Set up a tool that stops them in their tracks.
Regularly scan for malware. If your site is ever hacked, it’s important to know right away so you can fix the problem and prevent further havoc. But it’s impossible to manually check for malware 24/7. A good malware scanning tool can take care of this automatically and alert you if something is found.
Update your software often. Make sure that WordPress, themes, and plugins are always updated to their latest version to keep hackers from taking advantage of any vulnerabilities.
Turn on downtime monitoring. If your site goes down, this could be an indication of a hack. Downtime monitoring helps you know when this happens right away so you can get things back up and running.
Consider two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds an extra step to your login page, requiring you to enter a one-time-use code that’s sent to your phone. This is extremely effective because it’s unlikely that a hacker would have your login credentials and your phone in their hand.
Set up automatic, off-site backups. Backups protect you if something goes wrong because they allow you to quickly return your site to its state before the problem occurred. The best WordPress backups are taken automatically and in real-time, saving each and every change as it happens. They’re also stored off-site, separately from your host’s server just in case that server was compromised, too.
Use an SSL certificate. An SSL certificate protects information transmitted through your website, like credit card details, addresses, and names. There’s no reason not to add this to your site — you can get an SSL certificate for free!
Jetpack is a WordPress security plugin that checks off almost all of the items in the list above, in one fell swoop! From brute force attack protection and malware scanning to real-time backups and more, you can trust that your site is locked down. And it’s all easy to use for beginners and developers alike. For example, backing up your WordPress site takes just a few clicks, and restoring a backup is even faster!
If you want your site visitors to have a top-notch experience, speed should be something you invest time into. The faster your website loads, the more likely it is that people will stick around and take the actions that you want them to take — sign up for an email list, make a purchase, call your company, etc.
The best place to start with site speed is by choosing a high-quality host and a well-coded theme, as we already discussed here. Then, install a speed optimization plugin like Jetpack Boost.
When you install the plugin, it will analyze your site performance so you get an idea of where you stand. Then, by just toggling on a few settings, you can optimize CSS loading, defer non-essential JavaScript, and turn on lazy loading images. If you’re not sure what this means, that’s okay — you don’t have to! Jetpack Boost takes on all the heavy lifting, so you don’t have to be a developer to ensure your site loads quickly.
(But if you’re curious, that’s okay, too! Read our post about core web vitals for more information.)
You can find additional speed optimization tools with the core Jetpack plugin as well. For example, its content delivery network (CDN) displays your website from high-speed servers around the world, so it’s always shown from the location closest to each individual visitor. It also automatically resizes your images for mobile devices to improve speed when it counts the most.
8. Install a spam protection plugin
Comments are a powerful way to drive engagement on your site and build a community around your brand. But, unfortunately, when you enable comments in WordPress, you open yourself up to spam — responses that are unrelated, unwanted, and sometimes even malicious. These can impede the discussion, make you look unprofessional, and, in the worst case scenario, cause your visitors to fall prey to hackers’ schemes.
But you shouldn’t have to spend time weeding through comment after comment to determine if it’s spam. Instead, let a WordPress spam plugin like Akismet take care of it for you.
It can automatically get rid of the worst spam comments on your site so you never even have to see them. It also integrates seamlessly with popular WordPress tools to protect not just your comment section, but also your contact forms. Ultimately, this saves you a lot of time and protects both your site visitors and reputation.
9. Add and configure any extra features
One of the best things about WordPress is the ability to add any functionality you’d like with the help of hundreds of available plugins. The WordPress repository is full of free options, offering everything from extra blocks and contact forms to integrations with your favorite marketing tools. Plus, these are all vetted by Automattic, so you can trust that they’re high-quality and safe.
There are also excellent developers in the WordPress community that sell premium plugins on their own websites or on third-party plugin marketplaces. Take the time to look into the ones that you choose to add, however, to ensure that they’re from a good source. Reviews can be one of the easiest ways to tell a plugin’s legitimacy and quality. Learn more about choosing the best WordPress plugins.
10. Launch your site!
Now that your site looks exactly the way you want, loads quickly, and is secure, it’s time to launch! Give yourself a pat on the back — you’ve put a lot of work in and now you can reap the benefits.
Frequently asked questions about WordPress
Still have questions? We’ve taken some time to answer some frequently asked questions about WordPress below.
When was WordPress created?
WordPress was created in 2003 by Mike Little and Matt Mullenweg, who built a new personal publishing platform on top of b2/cafelog, which had been discontinued. Its open-source nature created an entire community of supporters, and it eventually turned into the revolutionary CMS that it is today, powering more than 43% of the web. It’s grown to become much more than a blogging tool as well, with everything from eCommerce stores and membership sites to forums and enterprise-level companies building their sites with the software.
Is WordPress free?
Yes, the core WordPress software is 100% free. And, since it’s licensed under the GNU General Public License, it’s also completely free to use however you’d like, including modifying and customizing it.
There are a number of WordPress plugins from Automattic that are free as well. These include WooCommerce, Akismet (free for personal use), and Jetpack (free for some plans).
Is WordPress secure?
Yes, WordPress is a secure content management system. It was built with security in mind and is updated regularly to fix any bugs or vulnerabilities.
That being said, any website or piece of software can be hacked, no matter how secure it is. You’ll want to take some additional security measures to protect your content and visitor information. A great place to start is with a WordPress security plugin like Jetpack, which implements valuable strategies like downtime monitoring, malware scanning, two-factor authentication, brute force attack protection, and real-time backups.
You should also take other basic security steps, like using secure passwords and providing login access just to trusted people who absolutely need it.
Does WordPress offer accessibility features?
When it comes to the web, accessibility means making your website usable for every single visitor, including those with physical and mental impairments. WordPress is dedicated to this practice, requiring all new and updated WordPress code to conform to specific accessibility standards. There is also a category of themes available from the theme repository that have been reviewed and marked as “accessible ready.â€
You can use plugins to add accessibility features to your website, allowing site visitors to resize fonts, toggle grayscale mode, turn on high contrast, and more.
Where can I download WordPress?
WordPress is available for download directly from the WordPress.org website. Many hosting providers also include one-click WordPress installation, so there’s no need for you to manually download or install the software.
What’s the difference between WordPress.org and WordPress.com?
If you’re new to WordPress, you might be trying to decide between WordPress.org and WordPress.com. Let’s take a look at the differences.
With WordPress.org, you pick a hosting provider and install the WordPress software on your server. You have complete freedom to do whatever you’d like with your site, though there is a bit more technical know-how required.
With WordPress.com, everything is taken care of for you. It includes a hosting plan that’s specifically optimized for the WordPress software, and it comes with everything pre-installed. All you have to do is sign up for an account and you can start building! Each plan has limits, however, so while a lot of the technical aspects of managing a site are taken care of for you, there’s also a certain loss of flexibility and freedom.
If you don’t want to worry about the technical aspects of a site and want to just jump in quickly, you may want to choose WordPress.com. If you want to be more involved in site management and building, and have more freedom and flexibility, then WordPress.org is the route to take.
What is a WordPress theme?
A WordPress theme is a set of files that dictate the look and feel of your site. They can be very specific, acting as a template with content you can simply switch out, or more flexible, like a framework that you can build anything on top of.
There’s an entire library of free and premium themes that are vetted by WordPress. You can filter these based on features, like number of columns and subject matter. There are also themes that you can download from third-party marketplaces and developers. When choosing one of these, check the source, read reviews, and ensure that it’s updated regularly.
What is a WordPress plugin?
A WordPress plugin is an add-on that you can install to create additional functionality on your website. Unlike a theme, its focus is on functionality, not design.
You can find a plugin for just about anything — create an online store, market your business, add blocks or block patterns to the WordPress Editor, build contact forms, connect to third-party software, and more.
There are thousands of free options available in the WordPress plugin repository, along with support forums for each one. You can also find some great premium options in locations like the WooCommerce marketplace, and third-party websites. But, like with themes, take the time to examine each one for security and quality. Learn more about how to choose the best WordPress plugins.
What is a WordPress page builder?
A WordPress page builder is a plugin or theme tool that enables you to build a website without using any code. They speed up the page creation process, typically allowing users to drag and drop elements to design virtually any layout.
However, thanks to the WordPress block editor, you can create pages and posts without code and without a page builder. Drag any element into place — like paragraphs, headings, images, videos, and columns — and configure settings to get the exact look you want.
And if you’re using a block theme, with full site editing, you can even apply this same principle to other parts of your site, like headers and footers.
What is a WordPress widget?
In WordPress, widget areas are special reusable areas that contain blocks — the footer and sidebar, for example. You can add blocks to these areas by going to Appearance → Widgets in your WordPress dashboard.
These can come in handy in a variety of ways. If you have an online store, you might want to add filters, a search bar, and a list of product categories to the sidebar of your Shop page. If you run a service-based business, you might include links to important pages, an email capture, and your company hours in your footer.
Note, however, that if you’re using a theme that supports full site editing, you’ll need to edit these areas by going to Appearance → Editor instead.
What are the most important plugins to have?
The plugins that you choose will vary based on the specific needs of your site, along with the type of website that you run — online store, blog, service-based business, portfolio, etc. However, there are a few types of plugins that nearly every WordPress site will need:
Yes, absolutely! WordPress was designed from the start as a blogging platform. And, while it offers so much more, blogging is still at its heart.
WordPress makes it easy to create a blog around any topic that you’d like, add blog posts with text, images, videos, and more, accept and reply to comments, get your posts in front of your audience — the list goes on and on! Any blog functionality you need, you can create with WordPress.
Of course! WordPress can be used to create absolutely any kind of site you’d like. You can use the platform to showcase your work in a portfolio, write about your services, and create a client portal. Or if you want to sell products or services online, you can use WooCommerce to build an online store, complete with checkout functionality, shipping tools, and more.
Looking to manage all of your prospects and clients? Jetpack CRM even turns your WordPress dashboard into a customer relationship management tool that will help you grow your business.
Yes, WordPress powers lots of enterprise-level sites and there are no limits on what you can create. You can use it to scale as large as you like, with no restrictions on number of pageviews, products, etc. It also has features that make running an enterprise website simple, like team management capabilities, mobile-friendly and accessible design, and multilingual plugins.
WordPress VIP is also an exclusive option specifically for enterprise businesses. It’s built on a super powerful server foundation, and includes special tools that help you maximize content effectiveness, create a compelling digital experience for all team members, explore in-depth analytics, and build a hyper-agile commerce system. And all of that comes with enterprise-level scalability, reliability, speed, and security.
WordPress is currently used by 43% of all websites online and by 64.3% of websites using a content management system. This, of course, makes it by far the most popular CMS.
This isn’t shocking. WordPress is a completely free but incredibly powerful tool that enables absolutely anyone to create a beautiful, effective website. It’s easy to use, endlessly flexible and scalable, SEO-friendly, and constantly improving and innovating.
What are good tutorials on how to use WordPress?
WordPress.org and WordPress.com provide lots of tutorials with instructions for nearly anything you’d like to achieve with WordPress. If you’re building an online store, the WooCommerce blog offers everything you need to know to build and grow your eCommerce site. And there’s also a wealth of information on the Jetpack blog, including posts like:
Now that you know how to use WordPress, it’s time to create! You have all the tools in hand to build anything you can dream up, whether you want to start a blog, open an online store, or launch a service-based business.
If you get stuck, don’t worry! There’s a whole team of Happiness Engineers ready to help. You can find answers to any of your questions in the WordPress documentation and support forums.
If you have a WordPress site, it’s important that you have enough memory allocated to run the software smoothly. Depending on your site’s size and complexity, you may need to increase it. However, before you do, you’ll need to determine your current memory limit.
In this article, we’ll show you how to check your current WordPress memory limit and how to increase it if necessary, as well as answer some of the most frequently asked questions about WordPress memory limits.
What is the PHP memory limit in WordPress?
The PHP memory limit is the maximum amount of memory that a PHP script can use. If a WordPress site exceeds its PHP memory limit, it will likely experience errors. These errors can include the “white screen of death,” slow page loading, and database connection issues.
Often, the error will appear as follows:
“Fatal error: Allowed memory size of XXXXXXX bytes exhausted (tried to allocate YYYYYYY bytes) in /path/to/file.php on line ZZZ.”
You’ll come across this error when trying to install WordPress plugins or themes, run updates, or perform some other action on your site.
How to check your WordPress memory limit
There are a few ways to check your WordPress memory limit:
Check your WordPress hosting account.
Check your wp-config.php file.
Ask your WordPress host.
Use WordPress Site Health.
Use a WordPress plugin.
Let’s review each of these options in more detail.
1. Check your WordPress hosting account
The first place to check your WordPress memory limit is in your hosting account. Many hosts will list the current PHP memory limit in the account control panel. In cPanel, this is located under the Software section. Click PHP Selector, then navigate to the document root of the directory you’d like to work with. You’ll likely see information as follows and this will tell you which PHP version your site is currently using:
Then, go to Options and scroll down until you see the line that reads memory_limit. Your site’s current settings should be visible here.
2. Check your wp-config.php file
The second place you can check your WordPress memory limit is in the wp-config.php file. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress site. To access it, you’ll need to connect to your site using an FTP client like Filezilla or through the File Manager in cPanel. Once you’re connected, open the wp-config.php file in a text editor like Notepad++.
Next, search for the following line of code:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
This line of code defines the maximum amount of memory that can be used by WordPress. The number following WP_MEMORY_LIMIT represents the maximum memory limit in megabytes. In this example, it’s set to 256MB.
If this line is not present in your wp-config.php file, you can add it to the end of the file. Be sure to save your changes before exiting.
3. Ask your WordPress host
If you’re not sure where to find your WordPress memory limit or you’re unable to access your hosting account or wp-config.php file, you can always contact your WordPress host and ask them what the current PHP memory limit is for your site. To do this, you’ll typically need to open a support ticket with your host or send them an email.
4. Use WordPress Site Health
If you want an easy way to check your WordPress memory limit (and other site details), you can use the WordPress built-in Site Health tool, which gives you an overview of your site’s health, including the current PHP memory limit.
This module will show you the current memory limit for your WordPress site. To access it, go to Tools → Site Health in your WordPress dashboard and click on the Info tab. Expand Media Handling and, under Server, look for the PHP memory limit.
5. Use a plugin
Another option is to use a plugin to get access to this information. Here are two that are up for the task:
WP Healthcheck: This plugin gives you an overview of your WordPress site’s health, including the current memory limit. Plus, it helps improve your site performance by removing transients and other unnecessary data.
Health Check & Troubleshooting: In addition to presenting your memory limit and other server information in an easy-to-consume way, this tool identifies configuration and setup issues. This can be extremely helpful if you’re working with a support team to troubleshoot a problem.
How to increase the WordPress memory limit
If you need to increase your WordPress memory limit, here’s the optimal process to follow:
Back up your site before editing any code
Edit wp_memory_limit in your wp-config.php file
In some cases, you may also need to take the following additional steps:
Edit memory_limit in your PHP.ini file
Edit your .htaccess file
Contact your hosting provider
Let’s review each of these in more detail.
1. Back up your site before editing any code
Before you make any changes to your WordPress site, it’s important to back up your data first. This will ensure that you have a copy of your site that you can revert back to if something goes wrong. There are a few different ways to back up your WordPress site:
Jetpack provides the simplest method of backing up your WordPress site. You can download a copy in just a few clicks without having to deal with accessing your server. And if something goes wrong while increasing your memory limit, you can restore that backup even if your website is completely down. The best part? In the future, you’ll be protected with automated, real-time backups that save your site every single time a change occurs.
2. Edit wp_memory_limit in your wp-config.php file
If you want to increase your WordPress memory limit, the first place to start is with your wp-config.php file. This file is located in the root directory of your WordPress site. You can navigate here using an FTP client or through the File Manager in cPanel as previously mentioned.
To edit your wp_memory_limit, simply download the file and open it in a text editor. Then look for the line that says:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '64M');
Replace the memory limit with a higher number. For example, if you wanted to increase your memory limit to 256M, you would use:
define('WP_MEMORY_LIMIT', '256M');
Save your changes. Upload the file back to your server. Your site’s memory limit should now be increased.
3. Edit memory_limit in your PHP.ini file
If you’re unable to edit the wp_memory_limit in your wp-config.php file, or if you want to increase the memory limit for more than just WordPress, you can edit the memory_limit setting in your PHP.ini file.
The PHP.ini file is located in the root directory of your WordPress site, but if your hosting provider uses cpanel, you can easily change the memory limit from that dashboard.
Navigate to cpanel, and find the MultiPHP INI Editor in the Software section. From the dropdown that appears, select your website. Look for “memory_limit†and change it to whatever number you’d like. Save your changes. Your memory limit should now be increased.
4. Edit your .htaccess file
If you’re still unable to increase your WordPress memory limit using the previous methods, you can try adding the following line of code to your .htaccess file:
php_value memory_limit 256M
The .htaccess file is located in the root directory of your WordPress site. If you don’t see this file, make sure that you’ve enabled hidden files in your FTP client.
You can do this by going to the Server or Connection settings in your FTP client and checking the box that says Show hidden files. You can do this in cPanel as well by going to File Manager, clicking Settings in the top right corner then checking the box that reads Show Hidden Files (dotfiles).
5. Contact your hosting provider
If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still unable to increase your WordPress memory limit, your last resort is to contact your hosting provider. You may need to upgrade your hosting plan to accomplish this, especially if you’ve used up your resources.
Your host should be able to help you increase your memory limit and point you in the right direction if you need to upgrade your hosting plan to something more robust, like a managed WordPress hosting plan, or even a VPS or dedicated server.
Frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to common questions people have about the WordPress memory limit:
1. Why increase the WordPress memory limit?
There are a few reasons why you might need to increase your WordPress memory limit:
The general rule of thumb is that you should have at least 64MB of memory allocated for WordPress. However, this can vary depending on the size and complexity of your site. If you’re not sure how much memory your site needs, you can start with 64MB and increase it as needed.
3. How do I know if I need to increase my WordPress memory limit?
There are a few signs that you may need to increase your WordPress memory limit:
You see an error message saying, “Allowed memory size exhausted”
You see an error message saying, “WordPress has encountered an error and needs to restart”
Your site is loading slowly or timing out
You’re seeing “white screen of death” errors
4. What happens if I don’t increase my WordPress memory limit?
If you don’t increase your WordPress memory limit, you may see errors on your site, or your site may load slowly. In some cases, it may even crash.
5. Will increasing my WordPress memory limit slow down my site?
Generally speaking, no. However, if you allocate too much memory to WordPress, it can cause your server to slow down and impact your site speed.
6. What happens if I try to allocate more memory than my server has?
If you try to allocate more memory to WordPress than your server has, you’ll see an error message saying “Fatal error: Allowed memory size of xxxxxxx bytes exhausted.” This means that you need to increase the amount of memory your server has, or reduce the amount of memory WordPress is trying to use.
7. What is the maximum WordPress memory limit?
The maximum memory limit for WordPress is 512MB. However, depending on your server and WordPress settings, you may not be able to allocate this much memory to WordPress.
8. What’s the difference between wp_memory_limit and wp_max_memory_limit?
The wp_memory_limit setting defines the maximum amount of memory that can be used by WordPress. The wp_max_memory_limit setting defines the maximum amount of memory that can be used by WordPress and any plugins or themes. If you’re having errors with a plugin or theme, you may need to increase the wp_max_memory_limit setting.
9. I’m still having problems. What should I do?
If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still having problems, your best bet is to contact your hosting provider and ask them for help. They’ll be able to take a look at your server and WordPress settings and help you figure out what’s going on.
Increase your WordPress memory limit
Learning things like how to increase your WordPress memory limit is an exciting part of expanding your skills as a site owner. We hope you’ve found this post helpful. If you’re still seeing errors or slow performance, we recommend contacting your hosting provider for help.
The right combination of WordPress plugins can supercharge your website, add useful functionality, and provide a great experience for you and your visitors. But with nearly 60,000 plugins in the official plugin repository, it can be difficult to know which to choose. So to help with finding the perfect plugins for your website, we’ve put together the best WordPress plugins in 2022.
Twelve essential plugins every WordPress site should have
Security and regular backups are important for every website. After all, if your site ever gets hacked, you risk losing valuable site and customer data, which could damage your reputation and be costly to fix. An important step to ensuring your website is secure is to use a top WordPress backup & security solution, like Jetpack Security.
Jetpack Security provides a comprehensive range of security features in one easy-to-use package. It’s part of Jetpack — a popular WordPress plugin that over five million people use for their website security, backups, performance, and growth.
Jetpack Security helps ensure your site is protected from malicious logins through brute force protection and two-factor authentication. It also provides powerful anti-spam protection for your comments and forms, alongside downtime detection and automatic malware scanning to help identify and remove malware.
Jetpack Security also includes Jetpack Backup, which automatically backs up your site every time you make a change or a customer places an order, and you can easily restore backups even if your site is down.
Key features of Jetpack Security:
Automatic downtime monitoring and alerts
Brute force attack protection
Two-factor authentication
Automatic plugin updates
Automatic malware scanning
Automated and on-demand backups of your files and database
One-click restores from backups
An activity log showing every action taken on your site
Automated spam prevention
A mobile app with alerts and access to backups, scan results, and the activity log
Pros of Jetpack Security:
Jetpack Security is an entire suite of tools that help keep your site secure within a single plugin.
Jetpack Security is made specifically for WordPress by Automattic — the people behind WordPress.com — to address the common security needs of WordPress websites.
Downtime monitoring alerts you if your site is offline, enabling you to take actions to get it back online and minimize the impact.
Jetpack Scan is included with Jetpack Security, helping to ensureany malware that makes it onto your site is detected as soon as possible.
Jetpack automatically backs up your site and stores multiple copies off-site, so if your site is compromised, your backups won’t be.
You can restore your site even if it’s completely offline.
Cons of Jetpack Security:
A paid plan is required to access backup and advanced security features such as automatic malware scanning.
Ease of use:
Jetpack Security is straightforward to install, set up, and configure. Most security features take one click to enable and then work automatically in the background. Restoring from backups is simple, even if your site is fully down. There’s detailed documentation available, and if you need support, you can access Jetpack’s team of WordPress Happiness Engineers.
Pricing:
Jetpack Security is a premium plan, which includes malware scanning, backups, spam protection, and more. This is available for $10.95 per month.
You can, however, get certain features like downtime monitoring, brute force attack protection, and a limited activity log at no cost.
Contact forms are an essential addition to any WordPress website, as they let your visitors get in touch with you in a user-friendly way. WordPress doesn’t include built-in form functionality, so a tool like WP Forms is a must-have plugin for every WordPress site.
WPForms is a popular WordPress form builder, which allows you to add forms to your website with a drag-and-drop editor. The free version of the plugin will notify you by email when a visitor fills out a form, and CAPTCHA support provides a first line of defense against spam form submissions.
WPForms also has a premium version that unlocks many powerful features, including multi-page forms, survey support, and the ability to create user registration forms.
Key features of WPForms:
Pre-built templates to create contact forms
Responsive form design
CAPTCHA support
A visual drag-and-drop form builder
Email notifications of form submissions
The ability to create login and registration forms (premium only)
Multi-page forms (premium only)
The ability to store responses in the cloud (premium only)
Surveys & polls functionality (premium only)
Integration with payment providers (premium only)
Integration with Mailchimp and other email marketing tools (premium only)
Pros of WPForms:
The drag-and-drop interface and template library make creating a contact form easy.
Forms made using WPForms can be added to your site using a block or shortcode.
Cons of WPForms:
You’ll likely need to purchase a premium version of the plugin to create forms other than a basic contact form.
The premium version has multiple tiers, meaning some features and integrations are still unavailable at the entry-level premium price point.
Ease of use:
It’s simple to create a contact form using one of the templates provided and the drag-and-drop builder. While there is documentation available, there’s little guidance within the plugin, which can sometimes make it harder to use some features. Email support is provided for premium subscribers.
Pricing:
WPForms Lite is available for free from the WordPress plugin repository, and the free version works well for sites that want to create a basic contact form. WPForms Pro provides advanced features in tiered subscriptions, which range from $39.99 to $299.50 per year.
All websites are a target for bots that crawl the internet and attempt to send spam through comments and form submissions. An anti-spam tool like Akismet is an essential plugin for every WordPress site.
Akismet is used by millions of websites, making it one of the most popular WordPress plugins. It helps you keep spam out of your WordPress comment section by automatically analyzing comments and filtering out ones that look like spam.
Akismet blocks a staggering 3,500,000 pieces of spam on average per hour, and it works seamlessly alongside the WordPress comment system and a range of other tools, including Jetpack Comments. Akismet discards the most ‘spammy’ comments automatically and will flag questionable ones for you to review.
Key features of Akismet:
Automatically checks all comments for spam
Comment status histories for each comment
Displays the number of approved comments for each user
Automatically deletes the worst spam
Pros of Akismet:
Akismet has a high level of accuracy and is trusted by millions of websites.
Akismet is made by Automattic, the team behind WordPress.com, meaning it integrates seamlessly with WordPress.
Akismet has a range of additional features, including displaying URLs and the number of approved comments for each user.
Akismet works with many popular tools, including Jetpack Comments.
Cons of Akismet:
Akismet is only free for personal sites.
Ease of use:
Akismet comes installed on every WordPress.com site, and is included with many one-click WordPress.org installations. This means that you can often start using Akismet without even having to install it! An API key is required, but this is simple to obtain and, once activated, works in the background.
Pricing:
Akismet is free of charge for personal sites. Plans for business sites start at $8.33 a month.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is an important way for you to attract visitors to your website. SEO can be confusing, but a plugin like Yoast SEO can help analyze your content and provide guidance on improving it in line with best practices.
Yoast SEO is one of the leading WordPress SEO plugins and provides a wide range of features to simplify the process of optimizing your pages and posts so that they can rank higher on search engines. It includes a range of templates for your all-important titles and meta descriptions and will automatically analyze your content for both readability and keyword usage, displaying actionable tips about how to improve your content.
Key features of Yoast SEO:
Analyzes your pages and posts for SEO best practices
Provides internal linking suggestions (premium)
A readability check
Updates to match any changes to Google’s algorithm
The ability to create custom page titles and meta descriptions
Generates XML sitemaps
An easy setup wizard to configure sitewide SEO settings
Open Graph support
Pros of Yoast SEO:
Yoast SEO gives you full control over key parts of your site’s search engine optimization.
The default settings automatically implement SEO best practices on your site.
Yoast SEO provides on-page analysis to help you gauge optimization.
Cons of Yoast SEO:
Some Yoast SEO users find the on-page analysis leads to them focusing on including more keywords rather than writing great content. It helps to have an overarching view of your SEO content strategy so you know when you can safely ignore its suggestions.
The free version only allows you to analyze content for a single keyword.
Ease of use:
Yoast SEO is simple to install, and its default settings automatically implement some elements of SEO best practices. However, some of the more complex settings may confuse users who are less familiar with SEO. There’s limited support for the free version provided via the plugin’s support forums.
Pricing :
The basic version of Yoast SEO is available in the WordPress plugin repository for free. A premium version, which includes advanced features such as keyword suggestions and multiple keywords per page, starts at $99 a year.
A lead generation tool is an essential plugin for most WordPress sites as it helps you turn your website visitors into email subscribers and customers.
OptinMonster supports all your lead generation needs and allows you to create popup forms, notification bars, countdown timers, slide-in notifications, and coupon wheels using a drag-and-drop builder. You can show any information you wish to your visitors — capture email addresses for your email marketing software, encourage people to create an account, or offer coupons.
OptinMonster contains a range of templates for you to use as inspiration, and you can fully customize the look and feel of your popups to match your brand. In addition, OptinMonster lets you set a range of triggers to display prompts to your visitors. For example, you could choose to display a popup after someone has spent a certain amount of time on your website or a spin-to-win wheel when they’re about to abandon their cart.
Key features of OptinMonster:
A wide range of styles for your campaigns, including popups, timers, welcome gates, slide-ins and coupon wheels
The ability to set different triggers for your popups
A/B testing, which allows you to try different content and see what works (premium only)
Display different popups to different groups of visitors
Responsive and mobile-friendly
Integration with a wide range of email marketing software
Abandoned cart and form targeting (premium only)
On-site retargeting (premium only)
Pros of OptinMonster:
OptinMonster’s drop and drag interface is intuitive.
The plugin has a range of user-friendly popups.
OptinMonster allows you to show different popups to different customers and include personalized messages.
Cons of OptinMonster:
Due to its popularity, many websites use OptinyMonster’s default popup styles and templates, so they may seem familiar to your visitors.
The free version of OptinMonster only supports 500 page views per month.
Some of the most useful features in OptinMonster, including cart abandonment and on-site retargeting, are only available with a premium subscription.
Ease of use:
Creating opt-in campaigns is straightforward through the plugin’s drag-and-drop builder, and you can configure simple campaigns directly within your dashboard. However, advanced features require you to leave WordPress and use the OptinMonster interface. Limited support is available for free users, but premium users can receive support via email.
Pricing:
There’s a free version of OptinMonster available in the WordPress plugin repository, which allows you to create a free account that includes limited features and 500 page views per month. Various premium subscriptions are available for between $9 and $49 a month, and these unlock a range of features and more page views.
Running an online business can sometimes feel overwhelming, with a dizzying amount of information and tasks to stay on top of. A customer relationship management (CRM) plugin, like Jetpack CRM, can help you manage your key business information, customers, and tasks so you can focus on growing your business. You can see detailed information about your contacts and customers, and keep track of their touch points and actions.
Jetpack CRM enables you to turn contacts into customers through sales funnels, analyze your customer information to identify potential opportunities, and create dynamic segments. You can then send proposals, quotes, invoices, and other documents to your customers, which they access at any time from their own portal.
Jetpack CRM is built by Automattic, the team behind WordPress.com, meaning it works seamlessly with the tools you already use, including WooCommerce. You can see your business information and track your progress through the Jetpack CRM dashboard, which displays vital information, including contact overviews, sales funnel performance, and revenue snapshots. Jetpack CRM will grow with your business and, unlike other popular CRM systems, places no limits on the number of contacts you can manage or the number of team members you have.
Key features of Jetpack CRM:
Support for quotes and invoices
Client portals for your customers to pay invoices, complete tasks, and access their files
Unlimited team members, along with user roles and permissions for each member
Support for branded templates for documents and invoices
A dashboard that shows you all your important sales information in one place
Storage for multiple contacts for each company
The ability to call clients and send emails directly from your dashboard
Customer segmentation
Integration with a wide range of tools, including WooCommerce and email and payment tools
Tools to create and manage sales funnels
The ability to assign tasks to contacts and set reminders
Pros of Jetpack CRM:
You can manage everything related to clients and customers from a single dashboard, including sending invoices and quotes, creating tasks, providing documentation, sending emails, and making calls.
Jetpack CRM is made by Automattic, so it integrates seamlessly with your WordPress site.
It includes an unlimited number of team members, so you won’t end up paying more when your team grows.
Jetpack CRM can seamlessly connect to various third-party tools, including popular payment gateways, contact forms, and email marketing platforms.
Cons of Jetpack CRM:
Some features, including integration with popular email tools and online payment platforms, are only available with a premium subscription.
Ease of use:
Jetpack CRM is straightforward to use with an easy-to-navigate dashboard that presents key information in an understandable way. In addition, there’s detailed documentation and support available from Jetpack’s team of Happiness Engineers.
Pricing:
Jetpack CRM has a free version that includes all essential functionality, including contact management, basic invoicing, and sales funnel management. Premium plans are also available. The Freelance plan adds integration for tools including PayPal and Stripe for $11 a month, and the Entrepreneur plan unlocks the full library of more than 30 extensions and priority support for $17 a month.
WooCommerce is the world’s most popular open-source eCommerce platform, and a must-have WordPress plugin for anyone wanting to sell on their website.
WooCommerce turns your site into a fully-functional online store, allowing you to sell anything, including digital files, memberships, and physical products. Installing WooCommerce automatically creates everything you need for your store, including product pages, shopping carts, and the checkout process.
WooCommerce is made by the team behind WordPress. This means WooCommerce is fully integrated into your WordPress site, so you can manage all elements of your store from within your WordPress dashboard.
WooCommerce has many options that allow you to customize your store to meet your needs. You can show reviews and ratings, set up tiered pricing, enable your visitors to find the perfect product through sorting and filtering, upload unlimited product images, and much more. You can also enhance your store functionality with hundreds of free and paid extensions from the official WooCommerce Marketplace, which have all been vetted by the WooCommerce team.
WooCommerce integrates with many payment providers, enabling you to get paid the way you want and, if you’re selling physical products, WooCommerce will help you manage your inventory and offer your customers a range of shipping options.
Key features of WooCommerce:
The ability to sell physical products, digital downloads, dropshipping items, bookings, services, and more
Custom shipping solutions
Extensive payment options
Ratings and reviews
Product sorting and filtering
A mobile app, so you can manage your site from anywhere
Pros of WooCommerce:
WooCommerce allows you to set up a new store in minutes and includes all of the features you need to start, including secure payments, product pages, shipping options, and more — for free.
It’s open-source, which means you retain full ownership of your store’s content and data.
WooCommerce is flexible and offers many customization options alongside official and third-party extensions, enabling you to create a perfect online store experience for your customers.
WooCommerce enables you to sell both physical and digital products.
Cons of WooCommerce:
While WooCommerce will work with any WordPress theme, some themes work better than others. It’s a good idea to use a WooCommerce-ready theme so you can take full advantage of the features offered.
Ease of use:
WooCommerce is easy to use, and it has a large, passionate community dedicated to helping store owners succeed and a growing showcase with inspiration for your store. Detailed documentation is provided, along with a large collection of ‘how-to’ guides, and a dedicated support team.
Pricing:
The core WooCommerce plugin is free. There’s also a large library of both free and premium extensions to add functionality to your store.
Websites have to comply with a wide array of legal and data protection requirements, like GDPR and CCPA. These requirements are often confusing, but a legal pages builder can quickly create the policies your website needs.
WP AutoTerms is a must-have WordPress plugin, as it helps you create the legal agreements for your website, including privacy policies, terms of service, and acceptable use policies. The plugin’s premium version also allows you to easily create GDPR-compliant policies and cookie consent notices.
WP Auto Terms also provides a range of ‘Compliance Kits,’ which help you meet key legal requirements, including having links visible to your legal pages and notifying users of updates.
Key features of WP AutoTerms:
A generator for privacy policies, cookie policies, and terms & conditions agreements
The ability to create custom pages for your policies
You can generate the legal documents your site needs within a few clicks.
The compliance toolkits allow you to easily meet key legal requirements, including ensuring links are visible to your legal pages.
Cons of WP AutoTerms:
GDPR-compliant policies and cookie consent notices are only available in the premium version, meaning you would need to pay if your site is based in or serves Europe.
Ease of use:
The plugin is straightforward to use. Once you activate WP AutoTerms, you’re asked to provide key details about your website or company so that it can tailor the legal documents to your needs. You can then generate, customize, and publish those policies. In addition, the plugin provides documentation and offers limited support via its support forum.
Pricing:
WP AutoTerms has a free version available in the WordPress plugin repository. A premium version that includes GDPR-compliant policies and cookie consent notices is available as a one-time purchase for $39.
A post duplication tool is a must-have plugin for WordPress, as it saves you time by making copies of posts and pages. This means that you can easily create variations of the same post or re-use elements from one on another. You may also want to duplicate content to work on a new version without changing the current post or page, or to create a ‘template’ for future posts or pages.
Duplicate Posts is a simple plugin that you can use to copy any post or page. The plugin allows you to set and apply a consistent naming convention to all copies, so you can automatically name your copy with the original post title and the date or version number. Duplicate Posts also supports child pages, allowing you to copy a parent page and its child pages in one click.
Key features of Duplicate Posts:
The ability to duplicate posts and pages
A default naming convention for all duplicates
A scanning tool that searches your site for duplicate content
Support for custom post types
Pros of Duplicate Posts:
The plugin is lightweight, simple to use, and supports both posts and pages.
Duplicate Posts supports automatic naming, allowing you to easily identify your duplicate posts and pages.
Cons of Duplicate Posts:
The plugin’s premium version is needed to copy information from 3rd-party plugins (such as Yoast SEO) when duplicating posts and pages.
Ease of use:
Once you’ve chosen your default settings, the plugin is easy to use by simply clicking ‘copy’ on a post or the ‘all posts’ screens. Limited documentation is available, but the plugin developer offers support for the free version through the plugin’s support forum.
Pricing:
A free version of Duplicate Posts is available from the WordPress plugin repository. Advanced features and 180 days of email support are included in the plugin’s premium version for $19.98 for non-commercial sites and $29.98 for commercial sites.
Broken links can harm your website. Not only can they lead to your visitors experiencing a 404 error page, but they also negatively impact your search engine rankings. A redirection plugin is an essential addition to any WordPress website, as it helps you ensure that if a visitor clicks on an out-of-date link, they’re redirected to a new location where they can continue browsing.
Redirection is a popular WordPress plugin for creating and managing redirects. With the plugin, you can set up global redirects, along with ones based on certain conditions, such as the visitor’s login status or role. You can then use Redirection’s logging feature to view how often each redirect occurs on your site.
Redirection also detects when you change the permalink of a post or page, then creates a redirect from the old permalink. This ensures that your visitors don’t get met with a 404 error if they bookmarked the old address. The plugin automatically tracks any 404 errors, allowing you to identify and fix problems.
Key features of Redirection:
Manual redirects
Automated redirects when permalinks have changed
Conditional redirects
404 error monitoring
Redirect logging
Pros of Redirection:
The plugin automatically creates redirects when permalinks change.
404 error monitoring allows you to identify and fix issues.
The plugin provides a wide range of conditional filters, allowing you to redirect only certain user roles, browsers, or logged-out users.
Cons of Redirection:
You aren’t able to restrict access to the plugin to certain users or user roles, meaning anyone with administrator or editor privileges can set up and manage your redirects.
Ease of use:
The plugin is straightforward and allows you to create redirects without touching any code. There is detailed documentation, and the developer provides support via the plugin’s support forum.
One of the great things about WordPress is that it allows you to create amazing websites without needing to understand or even see any code. However, companies such as Google and Facebook require website owners to add code to use their tracking tools. So, a code inserter such as WPCode is an essential WordPress plugin.
WPCode is the most popular WordPress plugin for code insertion and is installed on over one million websites. It allows you to add code to the headers and footers of your pages. This means you can add the code needed for Google Analytics or Facebook Pixel to every page without having to install multiple plugins or edit your themes functions.php file.
The plugin also allows you to add a range of different types of code, including HTML, Javascript, CSS, and PHP, which can be added to every page or to pages that meet the conditions you set. As well as adding code to the header and footer, you can add code to the body of your pages and create custom functions through global PHP snippets.
Key features of WPCode:
The ability to add code to the header, footer, or body of your site
The ability to enable and disable each code snippet
Support for a range of coding languages, including HTML, Javascript, PHP, and CSS
A full code library of common custom functions to add features to your site
Code generators, which allow you to generate codes for custom widgets, queries, and more
Control over the priority in which code snippets are run
Pros of WPCode:
You can easily add code to the headers or footer of your site without needing to edit your theme’s functions.php file.
WPCode supports conditional loading, meaning you can add snippets to certain pages or run them only for certain user types.
Cons of WPCode:
Errors in custom PHP functions could cause your WordPress website to become inaccessible, so you should only use the PHP snippet feature if you’re comfortable with writing PHP.
Ease of use:
The plugin makes adding code to your WordPress site straightforward and offers a ‘simple mode’ for users who only want to add analytics or other code. Some advanced features, such as custom CSS or PHP code, require some familiarity with coding to use safely and effectively. Basic documentation covering the common uses for the plugin is available, and support is provided via the plugin’s support forum.
Website performance is important, as a slow website can negatively impact your user experience. Google also considers site speed in its ranking algorithm through its core web vitals metrics. A performance plugin like Jetpack Boost can help speed up your site and ensure it loads as quickly as possible, making it a must-have plugin for your WordPress site.
Jetpack Boost is a free performance plugin that allows you to speed up your WordPress website in just a few clicks. It starts by measuring your site speed and giving you an overall site performance score. You can then enable three tools that work together to boost the speed of your site:
Optimize CSS loads the CSS styles for visible page elements first, enabling you to display content faster, especially for mobile visitors.
Defer Non-Essential Javascript moves some Javascript tasks after the page loads, so your site’s visible items load faster.
Lazy Image Loading only loads each image when your visitor scrolls them into view.
Key features of Jetpack Boost:
A quick, free site speed analysis
CSS optimization to load essential CSS first
The ability to defer non-essential JavaScript until after your page loads
Lazy image loading, so images only load when needed
Pros of Jetpack Boost:
Jetpack Boost is made by Automattic, the team behind WordPress.com, so it’s guaranteed to work seamlessly with WordPress and other popular plugins, including WooCommerce.
It’s simple, and lets you speed up your website without needing to write code or use multiple plugins.
Once enabled, Jetpacks Boost’s features work in the background to help keep your website running as fast as possible.
Cons of Jetpack Boost:
Jetpack Boost’s simplicity means that it lacks some of the features of other performance enhancement plugins, but unlike these plugins, Jetpack Boost’s core features are available for free.
Ease of use:
Jetpack Boost makes it easy to make key changes that will speed up your WordPress site. You can activate/deactivate each module in one click, and once a module is activated, it constantly works in the background to boost the speed of your site. In addition, Jetpack Boost has clear documentation, and you can contact Jetpack’s team of Happiness Engineers with any support questions.
Pricing:
Jetpack Boost is available for free. You can upgrade Jetpack Boost to include automatic regeneration of critical CSS when you update your site for $9.95 per month.
Make the most of WordPress
No two sites are the same, so you may not need every tool on this list. However, most sites can benefit from the majority of these twelve essential plugins. Keep in mind that you’ll probably need some options beyond this list to add all of the functionality and unique design elements you’re looking for.
WordPress is one of the most versatile and robust content management systems (CMSs) out there. Still, you may occasionally run into some issues when using it. One of those is an error informing you that “your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.â€
The good news is that this is a relatively straightforward problem with a handful of quick and easy solutions. Once you understand what the error means and the common causes of it, you’ll be better prepared to resolve it and prevent it from happening again.
Below, we’ll explain what the WordPress MySQL extension error is and some of its common causes. Then, we’ll walk you through how to fix the problem as well as how to prevent it from happening again.
What is the WordPress MySQL extension error?
Before we get into resolving this error message, it’s important to understand what it means. So let’s go over some basics.
First of all, Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is a server-side scripting language designed for web development. It’s also the most popular scripting language today, as well as the primary language of WordPress.
MySQL is a database management system used by WordPress to store your site’s information. This is where you can find all of your database tables and files.
When you’re working on your website, you may come across the “Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress” error message. If you’ve never encountered this issue, you may be confused as to what it means, let alone how to fix it.
This error message will usually show up when you try to install or update WordPress. Although an error message like this can be frustrating and stressful, there’s no need to panic.
What causes the MySQL extension error on WordPress?
There are a handful of reasons you might be dealing with this problem. Typically, it means that something is wrong with your site’s code. As the error message indicates, some element is preventing WordPress from properly connecting to the MySQL database.
One of the most common causes of the error is that your server does not have the MySQL extension installed or enabled. Usually, this can be attributed to one of two things:
First, you may be using an incompatible version of PHP. MySQL 5.0 requires PHP 5.2 or higher. WordPress recommends using the latest stable version of PHP, which is currently PHP 7.4.
If you’re using a particularly outdated version of WordPress with a modern version of PHP, this error can also happen. PHP 7.0 deprecated the MySQL extension and WordPress now uses the newer PDO_MySQL or MySQLi extensions.
The other possibility is that your PHP is misconfigured, meaning it’s not properly set up to work with your WordPress site. In addition to being outdated or incompatible, it could be due to incorrect server settings.
How to fix the “Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress†error
Now that you understand more about what the message means and what may be causing it, let’s take a look at how to resolve it.
1. Update WordPress
As we mentioned, using an older version of WordPress, like 3.9 or lower, might cause this error message. Therefore, one of the first steps you should take to resolve it is to make sure that you’re using the most updated version of WordPress Core.
This is likely the source of the problem if you’re using the latest version of PHP (which we’ll cover in the next section). To determine whether there’s an update available, you can navigate to your admin area and go to Dashboard → Updates.
Note that if you’re using a WordPress.com site, you can find updates under My Home → Updates, instead. Any available updates will be shown on this screen.
It will also inform you of what version of WordPress you’re currently using. If you see a notification saying “An updated version of WordPress is available,†you can select the Update to version [X] button.
On this page, you can also view any plugin and theme updates that are available. As with WordPress Core, plugins can present compatibility issues with PHP that may result in the MySQL extension error.
So, we also recommend updating any plugins that have newer versions available. If there are multiple, you can simply select all, then click on Update Plugins.
2. Check your PHP version
Once you’re sure that your WordPress core is up to date, the next step is to check which version of PHP your server is using. There are a couple of ways to go about this.
The easiest option is to navigate to Tools → Site Health from your WordPress dashboard.
Next, you can select the Info tab, then scroll down and expand the Server panel. Under this section, you can locate the PHP version you’re currently running.
If you’re not able to access your WordPress admin, you can check your PHP version by connecting to your server via a File Transfer Protocol (FTP) client like FileZilla. Alternatively, if your web host uses cPanel, you can use the File Manager tool.
Either in your FTP client or your File Manager, create a new file in the root directory of your site (/public_html) and name it phpinfo.php. Next, open the file and copy and paste the following code snippet:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Save the file when you’re done. Then, in a new browser tab, visit “yoursite.com/phpinfo.phpâ€. Be sure to replace “yoursite.com†with your domain name.
Now you should see a page that displays your server’s PHP configuration information.
The PHP version your server is running should be listed at the top of the screen. If it begins with 7 or 8, an outdated version of PHP probably isn’t the reason you’re seeing the error message.
If your WordPress version is up to date, it’s important to also check whether the MySQL extension is installed and enabled. It’s possible that the Operating System (OS) you’re using didn’t include the extension by default, which means you’ll have to install it yourself.
To determine whether it’s installed, revisit the phpinfo.php file that you created in the last step. Then, navigate to the mysqli or mysql section. If the MySQL extension is installed, it will indicate the version of it next to the Client API field.
But, if this field is blank or not visible at all, it means that the MySQL extension is not installed. The process for installation will depend on your host. You can refer to the PHP installation guide for details.
If your provider uses cPanel, you can enable the extension by navigating to Software from your cPanel dashboard, then choosing Select PHP Version.
Here, select the most recent version of PHP, then click on the boxes for mysqli and mysqlnd. Save your changes, then revisit your site to see if you’re still seeing the error message.
Alternatively, if you’re unsure about installing the MySQL extension on your own, you may want to reach out to your web host. You can always request that they complete this process for you.
4. Verify that the PHP extension is properly configured
Once you know that your WordPress version is up to date and the MySQL extension is installed, you can safely confirm that something else is causing the problem. Another reason you might be seeing the error message is that the extension is not configured correctly.
There are a few issues that can lead to misconfiguration, including incorrect file paths or using a php.ini file intended for a different type of server. For instance, you may be using one meant for Windows servers on a Linux server.
To verify that your PHP extension is configured properly, navigate back to your phpinfo.php file. Then, locate the Loaded Configuration File item.
This is where you can find the file path value. Note the file path listed here, then look for the extension_dir row.
The file path listed here should match what is listed for the Loaded Configuration File. If not, the next step is to edit your php.ini file to correct it. When you’re done, revisit your site to make sure the error is resolved.
Tips for preventing the MySQL extension error in WordPress from happening again
At this point, you’ve learned how to fix the MySQL extension error in WordPress. But there are also steps that you can take to prevent it from happening in the future.
It’s also crucial to make sure you’re keeping your WordPress software up to date. Not only can this help prevent errors like the MySQL extension issue, but it can provide security and performance enhancements for your site as well.
Finally, be sure to choose a WordPress web host that uses updated versions of PHP. When providers automatically handle these updates for you, this eliminates the need to manually manage it yourself. They can also help streamline server configuration to ensure that you’re adhering to best practices.
In turn, this can reduce the likelihood of running into PHP-related errors. There are a wide variety of high-quality and reliable WordPress hosts to choose from. Some of the top WordPress hosts include Bluehost, DreamHost, and Pressable.
Streamline WordPress website maintenance
WordPress is a powerful and dependable CMS, but you can still run into issues from time to time when using it. You might encounter an error message informing you that “Your PHP installation appears to be missing the MySQL extension which is required by WordPress.†Fortunately, there are a handful of solutions you can use to resolve this problem.
As we discussed, there are four measures you can take to fix this error in WordPress:
Update your WordPress software and plugins.
Check your PHP version and update it, if necessary.
Ensure that the MySQL extension is installed.
Verify that the PHP extension is properly configured.
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