WordPress, used by 45.8% of all websites on the internet, empowers millions of websites worldwide.
The combination of its user-friendly nature, extensive customisation options, robust community support, and adaptability to various website needs has propelled WordPress to be the platform of choice for websites of all shapes and sizes.
However, encountering technical challenges is inevitable in managing your WordPress site. Efficiently seeking and utilising technical help resolves immediate issues and saves substantial time and money in the long run.
Here are ten invaluable tips to navigate and optimise technical support for your WordPress site:
1. Utilise official WordPress resources
Leverage the vast array of official WordPress resources available. The WordPress Codex, forums, and documentation offer comprehensive guidance on troubleshooting common issues.
This self-help approach saves time and familiarises you with WordPress functionalities. WordPress is generally considered beginner-friendly thanks to its user-friendly interface, intuitive features, and extensive resources.
Still, it’s worth anyone who uses the platform regularly to gain a general understanding of how it works.
2. Engage with support communities
Join WordPress support forums and online communities like Stack Exchange or Reddit’s r/WordPress.
Engaging with these communities enables you to seek advice from experienced users, tap into collective knowledge, and receive practical solutions to complex problems. This is NOT the same as seeking professional technical WordPress help, and you could end up making changes to your website that make things worse.
There’s a good chance that you’re not the first person to have your problem though, so it can give you some troubleshooting guidance.
3. Consider professional hosting support
The right WordPress hosting is crucial for several reasons, as it directly impacts your website’s performance, security, user experience, and even your business’s bottom line. Invest in quality hosting services that offer robust technical support.
Providers with responsive customer service can swiftly address hosting-related issues, ensuring server stability and site performance, ultimately saving you from potential downtime and revenue loss.
4. Perform regular backups and update protocols
Websites can experience various issues, such as hacking attempts, server crashes, or accidental deletions.
Regular backups ensure that if something goes wrong, you have a recent copy of your website to restore from, getting you back up and running as soon as possible. Implement a stringent backup strategy and stay vigilant with updates.
Reliable backup plugins coupled with timely theme and plugin updates serve as preventive measures against potential issues, reducing the risk of data loss and security breaches.
5. Choose plugins wisely
WordPress plugins allow you to add new features, enhance existing ones, and customise your site without needing to write code from scratch.
However, poorly coded or outdated plugins can create vulnerabilities that hackers may exploit or slow your website down to a crawl. Be discerning when selecting plugins.
Opt for reputable, well-maintained plugins with good reviews and active support. Quality plugins enhance functionality and minimise compatibility issues and potential conflicts, saving troubleshooting time.
6. Learn some basic WordPress troubleshooting techniques
It may seem counterintuitive coming from us as a WordPress support agency, but we highly recommend equipping yourself with some basic troubleshooting skills.
Understanding how to identify conflicts, deactivate plugins, switch themes, and review error logs can expedite issue resolution and allow you to use WordPress more efficiently. We’ll still be here to help you fix problems though!
7. Invest in professional support services
If your website is a vital aspect of your business, it costs you money every minute it is down or not operating as it should. Hiring WordPress professionals for specialised technical help is a wise investment.
While this incurs costs, their expertise can swiftly resolve complex issues, offer tailored solutions, and provide proactive maintenance, ultimately saving significant time and potential revenue loss from prolonged site issues.
The level of WordPress support you’ll require depends on your specific needs, technical expertise, and the complexity of your website.
8. Utilise remote desktop support tools
We’re old enough to remember when technical support meant waiting for someone to show up at your desk to fix the problem. But not any more! Employ remote desktop support tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk when seeking assistance. These tools enable support personnel to access your site directly, troubleshoot efficiently, and provide hands-on solutions, often resolving issues swiftly.
9. Maintain clear communication
When seeking technical help, articulate issues clearly and provide relevant details. When you provide detailed information, the support team can offer more targeted and effective solutions.
Clear descriptions of what you’ve tried, any changes made, and the specific symptoms experienced help them provide relevant guidance. Detailed explanations, error messages, screenshots, and steps taken before encountering the problem streamline the troubleshooting process, leading to quicker resolutions.
Clear communication also involves providing feedback on solutions offered by the support team. It helps them understand if the proposed solution worked or if further assistance is needed.
10. Invest in ongoing training and education
Continuously invest in learning about WordPress. Online courses, webinars, and tutorials keep you updated on the latest practices, security measures, and troubleshooting techniques. Enhanced knowledge empowers you to handle minor issues independently, reducing reliance on external support.
Saving you time and money in the long run
Efficiently navigating technical help for WordPress resolves immediate issues and safeguards your site’s functionality, security, and performance.
By implementing these strategies, you streamline troubleshooting processes, mitigate potential risks, and ultimately save valuable time and resources.
Proactive measures and informed decision-making in seeking technical assistance not only foster a robust WordPress site but also contribute significantly to long-term savings and sustained online success.
Toast offers comprehensive WordPress support services for websites big and small.
We’re more than your typical technical support agency; our expertise extends across all things digital. Our Oxfordshire-based team comprises 15 experts, including WordPress developers, web designers, content marketers, and strategists.
If you’re signed up for one of our tailored plans, your allocated support time isn’t limited to theme updates and fixes alone.
We go beyond the basics, assisting with marketing, design, theme development, and strategy—all included in our support contracts. Plus, if you require extra assistance or development work throughout the month, you can easily supplement your support in 30-minute increments at £30 each.
