The Ultimate Guide to Security for Your Membership Site

It's essential that you make every effort to keep your website secure.

However, it's even more important that you put in the effort to secure your membership website because you're managing data about your members, as well as the fact that they have access to a portion of your site.

Thankfully, WordPress is secure software. But its popularity can make it a popular hacker target -- should you decide to study the techniques to hack a program, then why don't you pick one that runs almost 35 percent of all websites?

However, the flipside is that because of the overwhelming popularity of WordPress, a lot has been put into keeping sites using this software secure. From security-focused web hosts to powerful third-party plugins there's a whole industry built around keeping WordPress safe.

In this guide to security for your membership site, we'll provide you with some tips regarding securing your WordPress website and making sure your data is secure for members.

With that thought in mind, let's begin...

Select a trusted web host

Install a WordPress Security Plugin (or Two)

However, it's still worth looking into the top WordPress security plugins and install any plugins that will add features to your site that aren't supplied by your web host.

The capabilities of these security plugins varies in each, however some options include scanning for sites, protection from hacking attempts as well as blocking access from dangerous sources, and much more. Many of these tools can be downloaded for free from the WordPress Plugin Directory. WordPress Plugin Directory, with upgraded versions that cost money to add protection.

Secure Your Passwords

Utilize WordPress User Roles in a way that is appropriate

Since WordPress makes it easy to set up multiple accounts on your site, there's not an need to divulge your login credentials with anyone else. If you've got someone adding content to your site or carrying out maintenance tasks like that, do not share your login information with them. Instead, create a new account for the person.

Don't give them the all-powerful admin user position. Instead, consider what requirements they'll need to accomplish, and give them an appropriate WordPress user job. So, they don't be able to access your website than is necessary and will be able to, for example, delete your content or modify your password.

Only Install Official WordPress Themes and Plugins

One of the main motives to select WordPress to host your membership website is the almost unlimited options for enhancing the functionality and design of your website. By using themes and plugins it is possible to customize your website to meet almost any requirement.

But, when you're choosing a theme or plugin theme, make sure you choose one available from reputable sources. Doing so will significantly reduce chances that the plugin or theme will contain malicious or easily hackable software that could make your membership site vulnerable to those with bad intentions.

A few reliable sources for plugins and themes include WordPress's Official WordPress Plugin Directory and the ThemeForest marketplace. However, there are other trusted outlets out there.

Keep WordPress plugins, themes and Themes up to Date

If you select a reputable web host, they could keep your WordPress software up to date for you. In most instances it's going to be your responsibility to upgrade the theme you choose and any plugins. If you login to your WordPress website and see an update alert you should take care of this straightaway.

Test Your Membership Site Backups

Set up a test copy of your website, and then recovering your backups will tell you all you need to know. This should reveal whether the process of restoring backups is straightforward enough to ensure it is easy to restore your website when you need to and if it's an intricate process with the risk of failing in the event of pressure.

Final thoughts

Securing your membership site and making sure it stays that it is, will be a continual procedure.

There's lots you can do from the outset, such as choosing a reputable web host and using passwords that are secure. But other aspects, like keeping your WordPress software current and monitoring your website, require regular monitoring.

However, by using the correct tools and service providers, you can automate most of the work that are required to keep your membership site secure. With a little good sense and staying away from things like sharing passwords and making use of unsecure internet connection, you will be able to greatly reduce the risk of the security of your membership site getting breached.

 What can you do to keep your website secure? Please let us know in the comments section below.