What is a canonical tag? A canonical tag is used as a signal to search engines that the nominated version of a URL is the version you want them to index and return in their results. Mobile-first index: How will it affect you? Google’s mobile-first index is rolling out. If you haven’t received the notification, you probably will soon. So, what does it mean? What is the mobile-first index? Mobile SEO used to be less of a concern for companies when searching the web on a phone was a relatively new phenomenon for a small group of enthusiasts. Today it’s no longer the case due to the fact that even on low-end smartphones you can easily search the web and open any website. As many of you may be aware, Google has announced on its Webmaster Central Blog that starting from April 21, websites offering below-par mobile optimization can expect a drop in search rankings. This change will affect mobile searches in all languages, in all countries. Google, as ever, do not give a huge amount of detail on what the change entails. In the six years since mobiThinking published its first Mobile SEO best practices guide, the mobile Web has become a very different place. The average handset is much more capable, the operator’s data networks are more reliable, data plans are more affordable and there are so many more engaging mobile-friendly, Websites. All of this has led to a boom in mobile Web traffic and with it a boom in mobile search.

What are the best WordPress maintenance services for NZ businesses? The best WordPress maintenance services combine proactive core updates, plugin compatibility testing, and active security monitoring into flat-rate monthly or annual plans. Choosing a premium WordPress website management services package ensures that your software updates are tested safely in a staging environment. This prevents critical site crashes, data loss, Top Source Media or theme vulnerabilities from occurring on a live site. What is typically included in WordPress website maintenance packages? Plugin and theme audits help prevent plugin conflicts and patch known security vulnerabilities. Database and load speed optimisation by regular cleanup of overhead data, page/post revisions, and spam comments to maintain fast loading speeds. Malware protection requires uptime tracking, web application firewalls, and daily security scans. Automated backup to secure cloud storage - these daily offsite backups ensure your website can be fully restored rapidly if an update fails or data or files are corrupted. Most "managed" hosts are automated; on business plans, I provide a manual, human-led audit of every update I perform.

We have WP website management packages for personal and business sites. Cloudflare Pro Plan account setup ($25 USD/mo value). DNS configuration, WP APO, Custom and Managed Security rules included. Staging Site: updates tested before live site updated. Monthly payments are available but there will be an initial setup fee. Botnet Protection & DDoS Mitigation Services - I can provide Cloudflare security rules implementation for "attack relief", and caching rules implementation to improve load speed and reduce your origin server load. WP Theme Updates: except if your theme is wildly out of date and no longer has developer support. In which case you may need a website redesign. Monthly Technical Audit: "Website Auditor" software analysis of page content, load speed, and Google Search Console data to identify issues. Speed optimisation: starts at basic page caching, extends to persistent object caching, opcache, asset cleanup, minimising unused CSS and Javascript, image optimisation and conversion etc…

Extra Support Time: for resolving any current issues, Top Source Media team research, audits, analysis, or features. Unused monthly support hours expire at the end of each billing cycle. The first step in implementing WordPress management services for your site is a full audit of the WP Admin area and the hosting account. This will include security, plugins, themes and page speed. The entire site, including WordPress core files and images, will be scanned for malicious code. I will provide you with a report of what aspects need attention, and ask for your permission to proceed. Before touching any settings, I will install Updraftplus Backup and ensure a full site backup is done and securely stored off-site. Then I will proceed with the changes I’ve recommended, such as security, WP website speed optimization, and WordPress hosting environment performance tweaks. Once the remedial works are completed, I will monitor your WP installation daily for you and intervene in any issues that I find. Would you like an experienced WordPress management agency to take care of all the technical WP aspects, so you can focus on your core business activities?