Blogging Tips Archives - Page 2 of 33

Q&A: I installed a plugin and it broke my blog. How can I fix it?

Posted on August 13, 2021

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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…]

Q&A: Why is Chrome saying my blog is insecure?

Posted on August 8, 2021

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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…]

Q&A: Can I embed a YouTube video and make it start playing at a specified place?

Posted on August 5, 2021

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Question from Brandie G.: I recently started embedding YouTube videos in some of my blog posts and I have a question about it.

Sometimes I want a video to start playing at a specific place instead of at the beginning.

Is there a way to make that happen? [Read more…]

Q&A: How can I speed up my WordPress blog?

Posted on August 3, 2021

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Question from Sam.: Hello Rick. I need some advice if you don’t mind.

I ran some page speed tests on my blog and found out that it takes almost 8 seconds for my home page to finish loading.

I know I need to make my pages load faster but I don’t know what else to try.

I’ve already removed all but the most important images from my posts and cut the number of WordPress plugins from 37 down to 24.

I’ve noticed that your Rick’s Daily Tips blog loads lightning fast. What did you do to get the pages to load so quickly?

Rick’s answer: [Read more…]

ATTN Bloggers: Beware insecure and malicious WordPress plugins

Posted on July 24, 2021

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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…]