Your website is the digital front door to your business — and protecting it is non-negotiable. Cyber threats are growing, and small businesses are often prime targets because they tend to overlook basic website security best practices. By following a few essential steps, you can keep your site safe, your data secure, and your customers’ trust intact.
Keep Software and Plugins Updated (Hotly Overlooked Among Website Security Best Practices)
One of the most overlooked website security best practices is keeping your software and plugins up to date. Outdated systems are easy entry points for hackers. On a side note, ensure your computer’s software is up to date regularly as well!
Example: If your site uses WordPress, regularly update your core files, plugins, and themes. Many cyberattacks happen within weeks of new updates being released simply because businesses delay patching known vulnerabilities.
Among All of the Website Security Best Practices, This One is the Most Important! Secure Your Website with HTTPS and SSL Certificates
Another critical website security best practice is enabling HTTPS and installing an SSL certificate. This encrypts data between your site and your visitors, helping prevent eavesdropping or data theft.
Example: Always make sure your web address starts with https:// — the padlock symbol reassures customers that their information is safe. Free SSL certificates from providers like Let’s Encrypt make this step affordable for every business.
Strengthen Passwords and Use Multi-Factor Authentication
Strong passwords are at the heart of all website security best practices. Use complex, unique passwords and change them regularly.
Example: Swap “Business2024” for something like “BlueSky@Office#88.” Also, activate multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all administrative accounts — even if a password is stolen, MFA stops most intruders cold.
Back Up Your Website Regularly
No list of website security best practices is complete without backups. Even with strong defenses, breaches and server failures can still occur.
Example: Schedule automatic backups daily or weekly and store copies in the cloud (such as Google Drive or Dropbox) and offline. That way, you can restore your site quickly if disaster strikes.
Use Website Security Tools and Plugins
Security tools are your virtual bodyguards. Integrating them is one of the smartest website security best practices available today.
Example: Tools like Sucuri, Wordfence, and MalCare continuously scan for malware, block brute-force attacks, and alert you to suspicious activity in real time.
Limit User Access and Permissions
Effective security best practices also include managing who has access to your site. Only grant the minimum level of permissions needed.
Example: If you hire a web designer, create a limited access role and delete their account once the project is complete. Fewer open doors mean fewer opportunities for hackers.
Monitor Your Website for Suspicious Activity
Ongoing monitoring is one of the most proactive website security best practices you can implement.
Example: Watch for unusual login attempts, traffic spikes, or unauthorized changes. Use your hosting dashboard or plugins to track login history and block questionable IP addresses immediately.
Conclusion
Following website security best practices doesn’t require a tech degree — just consistency and awareness. By keeping software updated, enforcing strong authentication, and using the right security tools, small businesses can dramatically reduce their risk of being hacked. Protecting your website means protecting your brand, your data, and your customers’ trust.
We will continue to provide educational articles about cybersecurity throughout this month as this is Cybersecurity Month. We recommend that you read our article from last week on why cybersecurity is extremely important for small businesses. Remember, just because your business is small doesn’t mean it isn’t a target! Educate yourself and stay safe!