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Question from Kevin: For a while now I’ve been using Bitly to shorten my blog post URLs before I post them on Twitter and LinkedIn so I can track the clicks on them.
Yesterday I heard that using a URL shortener can cause a website to rank lower in the search engines.
Is that true? [Read more…]
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Question from Jay: I have a WordPress blog and it started going down on me at random times a couple of months ago.
I’ve signed up for a better hosting account with a different company and they’ll move the blog to the new server for me at no cost.
I’m planning to put in the request for the move when I get back to the office on Monday, but I’d like to ask you a question in the meantime.
I’ve been told that it could take quite a while for my blog to start loading from the new server after they make the switch. How will I be able to tell when my blog starts loading from the new server instead of the old one? [Read more…]
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Question from Cara G: I installed a new plugin on my WordPress blog and now my pages won’t load at all.
All I get is a white screen with an error message.
To make matters worse I can’t even get to the control panel to delete the plugin.
I’m in a panic here. How can I fix this?
Rick’s answer: This is a fairly common issue, Cara. Unfortunately, it happens a lot. And as you have discovered, when it happens it can cause one to panic.
Luckily, there’s a very easy fix for this issue that almost always works. All you have to do is use an FTP utility to delete the problem plugin from your WordPress installation. Here’s how: [Read more…]
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Question from Carol: I have a blog and my web host recently installed a free Let’s Encrypt security certificate on it for me.
When I try to access the blog with https: in the URL instead of http: Chrome displays a warning that the site is insecure.
The strange thing is this doesn’t happen on every page, just on some pages (including the Home page). The rest of the pages are marked as secure.
I sent my web host a message a couple of days ago and another one last night asking what the problem could be but so far I haven’t heard back from them.
Do you have any idea what could be causing Chrome to flag my blog as being insecure?
Rick’s answer: [Read more…]
Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter
Are you a blogger who used WordPress to to create your blog?
If so, you probably have several plugins installed that add extra features or functionality to your blog.
To be sure, WordPress plugins are wonderful things. They can add all kinds of useful and attractive bells and whistles to your blog and make it more enjoyable to use.
What’s more, installing a high-quality security plugin can help protect your blog from hackers. And believe me, your blog IS being attacked by hackers on a daily basis, whether you realize it or not.
Unfortunately, all of the above being said, some plugins can also put your blog and all of your hard work at risk. [Read more…]