Your blog and website need that decluttering/sorting/purging action too. The new year is a perfect time to do just that!

As per the norm, with WordPress, there are a variety of ways that you can update, speed-up, maintain etc. Take a look at the list below to get started with some easy-to-do fixes on getting your site/blog in tip-top shape for the new year! If you’re unsure, give us a call or signup for our Update, Security & Maintenance program.

Blog & Website Maintenance Checklist

Erase Unused Plugins

Check out your plugins menu and see what’s adding unnecessary bulk. A major cause of slow site speed is too many and unused plugins. Look for unused plugins or ones you’ve replaced. If you’re not using it, erase it!

Erase All Unused Themes

Go into your themes area and make sure that the only themes you have are the one you’re using and one default theme (Twenty Ten or Twenty Eleven). Having unnecessary theme files on your server opens you up to hackers, so its a good thing to remove them.

Update All Your Plugins and Themes

One of the major causes of WordPress sites getting hacked is out of date themes and plugins. Always make sure you have the most up to date installations so you avoid getting hacked!

Update WordPress Core

For the same reason that updating your plugins is important, so is updating your WordPress. Updates to any files are often security fixes and if you ignore them, hackers can exploit that to insert Malware to infect your visitors and hijack your site. When you log into your dashboard, you may be prompted to update (if one is available) make sure you do a backup and then follow the steps and you’ll be all set!

Do a Malware Scan

Your blog can have malware hanging out in the files and you will not necessarily notice right away. Google won’t blacklist your site immediately either so you have time to correct the issue before the search engines will restrict access to prevent visitors from getting inflected. Get a free scan at Sucuri.net and if you do have malware, they can remove it super fast.

Remove Post Revisions and Spam Comments

Everytime you save a draft or your blog auto saves your content, you make an entry in your WP database. Over time this creates a huge amount of information that is just sitting there (taking up space). By removing all of those excess files, you will free up a lot of space. Make sure you stop by the comment section and wipe away all of those spam comments – if you don’t already, consider installing Akismet to help combat spammers!

Consolidate Plugins

Do you have multiple plugins that do the same thing? Maybe you’re running a Facebook plugin, one for Pinterest and one for twitter? Look for an all-in-one option (Sexy Bookmarks is good!) and use that instead, not only will that save you some space and cut down on load time, but it will make managing your site much easier!
Perform these checks every once in a while to help remove (but not eliminate) the likelihood of hacks and to help your site perform better.

If you read through this list and thought to yourself, “No way, no how am I doing that!”, never fear, we have our Update, Security & Maintenance program to keep your site/blog covered and running at it’s best!

You’ve likely experienced the time where you witness something fun, awe-inspiring or just generally want to take a picture. You reach for your camera and “oh no!” you forgot it.

Been there.. Wayy too many times!

Now, things are different – as long as you have a fairly up-to-date phone (iPhone, Blackberry, or other “smart” phone) you have a camera at your fingertips!

The use of your cellphone camera should be fairly straightforward – there is normally a generic camera app that comes with your phone – no bells, whistles or maybe even filters, just a basic point, click camera.

But what happens if you want to do more than “point/shoot”?! Never fear! There are a whole slew of crazy apps out there that you can download and enhance your newly minted Cellphonography skills. The problem of course is that there are too many to choose from; which one is the best? Which ones are worth your investment (they range from free to $4.99) and are they all necessary?

I would suggest starting in your “App Centre” on your phone. There should be a section that has the top paid and free apps from which to chose. Check the ratings, read the descriptions and look at the screenshots – all of that information will help you make an informed decision.

Of course there will always be people who will have their absolute faves and yes, you should check them out, you’ll probably find a new (and fun!) photo app to play around with.

MY Faves are the following ones:
For basic picture taking: Genius, Camera+ and Instagram
For adding fun effects and taking photography further my faves are: Pocketbooth,100Cameras

I do have others in my photo “pocket” but don’t use them very much. Labelbox, Diptic and Bokehful are some fun ones that I go to for adding text on photos, composing photos into different layouts and adding pops of color.

There are scads of books out there, but one that I have discovered that is GREAT and is very affordable is the iPhone Photography: The Visual Guide, written by Alli Worthington. At $10 for an e-book – (meaning that you can download it onto your phone/iPad and have with you at all times for support on the go) it’s a great choice to get started in cellphonography.

I think the main thing to remember about cellphonography is to try new things and have fun.

*Disclaimer: I am an affiliate of Alli Worthington’s iPhone Phototgraphy book, meaning that not only do I think it’s a great read but, should you buy a copy, I receive a small commission too. Just wanted you to know

Boxcar

If you’re frustrated with not knowing when someone sent you a message, then I think you’ll like Boxcar.  This app will send a notification to your device when someone sends you a message to Facebook, Twitter or Email (there are many more services supported).  You can set a different notification sound for each service so you’ll know whether it’s an email or tweet you just received.  Free

Capture

Do you find yourself missing that special “moment” because you’re waiting for the iPhone camera to fire up?  Capture instantly starts a video recording as soon as you open it.  This app is definitely dock worthy, meaning it should be sitting pretty right next to the Phone and Mail apps.  With the app appearing on every iPhone screen, you’ll always be just one tap away to start recordings.  $0.99

Cozi Family Organizer

This is my go to calendar app, which lets me track everyone’s appointments and activities.  Family members can access all features including to do/shopping lists and the family journal.  It’s super easy to use, with an attractive user interface and syncs automatically between your iPhone, iPad and web.  Free

Evernote

Never forget anything again.  With Evernote, you can create text or voice memos, but that’s just the beginning.  The possibilities are endless as to what you can use Evernote for.  Researching vacations? Save photos and clip web pages of your top destination picks.  Got kids involved in extra-curricular activities?  Save their schedules to Evernote for quick reference.  Changes are automatically reflected to the web, iPhone and iPad.  Free

Flipboard for iPad

Catch up on your favourite blogs, social media networks and stories from popular publishers such as Oprah, People and CNN.  Flipboard makes it easy to share posts and articles with your social groups.  With its brilliant layout and design, this is my end of day wind down read.  Free

Google Search

We all know Google to be a powerful search engine but this app takes it to the next level.  Instead of typing in your search, use your voice and tell Google what you’re looking for.  On vacation and want to know what the landmark is?  Take a photo and let Google Goggles tell you.  You can also search by using your location.  I’ll never have to type in a search again.  Free

HeyTell

Don’t care to text message? Then send an instant voice message instead.  Think modern day walkie talkie except you’re not actually speaking to the person live.  There’s no dialing or waiting for the umpteen rings before the voicemail greeting kicks in.  I love using HeyTell to leave quick messages when I’m in a rush and don’t have time to call or text.  Free

MapQuest

This app turns your iPhone into a GPS navigation device complete with spoken turn by turn directions.  Great to have if you’re driving alone or with a map challenged person (like myself) for a passenger.  I use this all the time, even driving around my own city.  But be warned, this will drain your iPhone battery. Free

Skype for iPad

If you’re an iPad Skype user, then you’ll be pleased to know Skype is now optimized for the iPad.

The familiar iPhone app features remain–free Skype user to user talk, video chat, instant message and SMS.  But now, users will experience stable video chats using the full (non double pixel) screen of the iPad.  Free

WhatsApp Messenger

Send text, picture or audio messages to other WhatsApp iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia smartphone users anywhere in the world for free.  I’m on a mission to make sure all my friends download this  as soon as possible so I can cancel my text plan and save some money.  $0.99