Posts

5 Best Practices for Maintaining Your WordPress Database

Your WordPress database is where all your site’s content is stored, so proper maintenance is key. However, this can become increasingly tricky over time as the necessary tasks begin to accumulate.

Fortunately, there are several best practices in place to help you keep up with a growing WordPress database. Staying on top of your maintenance tasks will help you keep your site performing optimally.

In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of performing regular database maintenance tasks. Then we’ll provide you with five best practices you can implement for your own site. Let’s get started!

The Importance of Maintaining Your WordPress Database

There is a wide range of factors that contribute to a slow site. While many site speed guides reference factors such as image files or render-blocking code, Your MySQL database is often a key player.

The database is the heart of your WordPress site. It’s made up of tables that contain vital information, including:

Pages and blog posts
Comments
Theme and plugin settings
Links
Form entries
Custom post types

The more data that’s stored in your tables, the longer it takes your server to retrieve information from them. Put simply, without proper WordPress database maintenance, your site won’t perform with the speed and efficiency it otherwise could.

Database optimization tasks check for unnecessary content and inconsistencies that may be weighing your site down. This helps improve efficiency and decrease loading times.

However, regular database maintenance and optimization do more than just make your site as fast as possible. They also minimize the chances of it crashing.

Whether you hire a WordPress professional to handle your database maintenance tasks or tackle them yourself really doesn’t matter. The important thing is that they don’t get overlooked or pushed to the wayside.

5 Best Practices for Maintaining Your WordPress Database

As you can see, there are many reasons why it’s important to make database maintenance a priority. Fortunately, there are some helpful tips and tools you can use to make it easier. Here are five best practices you can apply to your own site.

1. Conduct Database Backups On a Regular Basis

As the backbone of your website, your WordPress database is too important to mess with without having a second copy of it safely backed up first. In the event that something goes wrong when you’re optimizing it or making changes, you want to have a way to quickly undo the damage.

There are different ways you can go about backing up your WordPress database. If you’re comfortable navigating phpMyAdmin, going through cPanel in your hosting account is one reliable method.

Another option is to manually export your data from your WordPress admin dashboard. You can do this by going to Tools > Export:

While simple enough, the only drawback of these methods is you have to actually remember to do them. Therefore, a better option might be to use a plugin such as UpdraftPlus that lets you schedule your backups:

With over two million active installations, this is one of the most popular and reliable backup plugins. You can use it to create database backups to various cloud storage platforms, including Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.

2. Use a Plugin Such as WP-Optimize to Remove Old Post Revisions

WordPress comes with a built-in revisions system that keeps a record of all drafts and updates of posts that you create on your site. In many ways, this feature can be incredibly convenient.

It provides you the opportunity to undo changes and restore posts from previous versions. However, over time, these revisions can quickly add up and create unnecessary bloat in your database.

Therefore, you might consider limiting the number of saved revisions allowed on your site. You can do this by inserting the following line of code in your site’s wp-config.php file:

define( ‘WP_POST_REVISIONS’, 3 );

You can change the number to however many revisions you want to limit posts to. By default, WordPress permits an unlimited amount.

This helps reduce the number of old revisions for future posts. However, depending on how long you’ve had your site, you may already have a significant volume saved in your database.

If that’s the case, we recommend removing them. Doing so frees up space and helps clean up your database. To do this, you can use a plugin such as WP-Optimize:

This plugin is free to use (although it does have a premium version that includes additional features). Once you download and activate it, you can delete old revisions by going to WP-Optimize > Database:

Next, check the box for ‘Clean all post revisions’. Then click on the Run all selected optimizations button. This will automatically delete any old post revisions from your database.

3. Install Akismet to Filter Spam Comments

In addition to outdated revisions, there are other types of data that can accumulate and take up an unnecessary amount of space in your database. One of those is spam comments.

Managing spam on your WordPress site can be a headache. However, it’s an essential part of maintenance. Not only can too much spam be an eyesore and impact the security and performance of your site, but it also contributes to database bloat.

By default, spam comments on WordPress are deleted after 30 days. That may seem pretty quick. Unfortunately, it’s still plenty of time to add dozens or even hundreds of rows in your database’s wp_comments table.

Database optimization and plugins such as WP-Optimize can be helpful for removing spam and trashed comments. However, we suggest taking this one step further by installing a spam-filtering plugin such as Akismet:

Akismet makes it easier to manage comments and save your disk space proactively. With over five million active installations, this is one of the most popular and widely used WordPress plugins for spam protection. Plus, it’s free to download and use.

4. Adjust the Settings on Your Plugins to Help Minimize Unused Tables

One of the golden rules of WordPress website maintenance is to keep plugins to a minimum. The more you have, the more time you need to spend updating and managing them. Plus, they also take up space in your database and increase your risk of dealing with compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities.

However, plugins can affect your site even after you’re done using them. The problem is that most of them store their settings in your WordPress database. This information stays there even after deactivation.

The reason for this is so you don’t have to reconfigure the plugin if and when you want to activate it again in the future. If you’re not going to use it again, however, this isn’t helpful.

Some plugins offer to ‘remove all data’ when you uninstall them. It’s smart to look for this option and take advantage of it. Furthermore, we highly recommend actually deleting extensions you’re no longer using entirely:

Another option for removing them is to do so in bulk. You can do this by clicking on the Inactive link on your Plugins page:

After selecting all, click on the Delete option under the Bulk Actions dropdown menu. This same concept applies to your WordPress themes as well.

5. Run the WordPress Database Optimization Tool

If you’ve spent some time working with WordPress, you might already be aware of this feature. However, for the uninitiated, the platform comes with a built-in optimization tool that you can use to repair and maintain your database.

When you download WordPress, this tool is turned off by default. However, activating it is quite easy. You can do so by editing your wp-config.php file. Simply add the following line of code:

define( ‘WP_ALLOW_REPAIR’, true );

Then save your changes. Next, visit http://your-site.com/wp-admin/maint/repair.php. Of course, you’ll want to replace “your-site” with your own domain name. This will bring you to a page that presents you with the options to Repair Database or Repair and Optimize Database:

You can select either option and WordPress will scan your database to uncover potential issues. While Repair Database is likely sufficient, Repair and Optimize Database offers a more in-depth and thorough cleanup process.

Conclusion

You put a lot of time and energy into your WordPress site. Unfortunately, if your database isn’t properly maintained, it means your website won’t perform well, either. That’s why staying on top of these tasks is a must.

In this post, we discussed five best practices for WordPress database maintenance:

Conduct database backups on a regular basis.
Use a plugin such as WP-Optimize to remove old post revisions.
Install Akismet to filter spam comments.
Adjust the settings on your plugins to help minimize unused tables.
Run the WordPress Database Optimization tool.

Do you have any questions about WordPress database maintenance? Let us know in the comments section below!

Author

Tom Rankin

AIACCESS CONTRACTORS

Meet Abubakar Ismail Kankara

Abubakar Ismail kankara is the founder and CEO of AIACCESS CONTRACTORS the managing editor of DAILY EPISODE, he’s is a visionary and experience business with passion for excellence, have vast experience in entrepreneurship.

As the CEO of AIACCESS CONTRACTORS, he has developed a dynamic business model that has developed his company in information & technology, General Supply And Distributions, production & manufacturing, construction & maintenance, logistics & Interior designs.

He is a graduate of Kaduna polytechnic, Kaduna.
He is a professional production manager and a banker, he has experience in printing and publication that aim him to own Kankara digital prints.

Abubakar ismail kanara is a father and a husband.

Printing & Publications

We are top digital printing press in Nigeria that print everything from paper to metal. products & services duplication, book publication, banners, souvenir bag, brochures, manuals, posters, season greeting card, invitation card, calendar, letterheads, flyers, ID card, bottles, plastics, iron etc

When it comes to business communications services, we’ve got it covered. We can provide virtually any product or service imaginable to communicate with your clients, employees, stockholders, or vendors.
Outdoor
• Banners
• Flags
• Signage & Panels
• Beach flags
• Pavement Signs
• Parasols
• Chairs
Clothing
• T-shirts
• Polo Shirts
• Hoodies
• Jumpers
• Caps
• Sportswear
• Jackets
Promo & Giveaways
• Bags
• Writing Instruments
• Drinkware
• Office Supplies
• Gadgets & Technology
• Home & Living
• Leisure & Outdoor
Hospitality
• Beer Mats
• Menu Cards
• Placemats
• Aprons
• Pavement Signs
• Tickets
• Glassware
Stationery
• Business Cards
• Letterheads
• Envelopes
• Sticky Notes
• Presentation Folders
• Notepads
• Pens
Cards & Invitations
• Holiday Greeting Cards
• Greeting Cards
• Postcards
• Invitations
• Compliment Cards PMS
• Vouchers
• Greeting Cards with Exclusive Finishes
Stickers
• Standard stickers
• Custom Size Stickers
• Custom Size Labels on Roll
• Custom size Standard Labels
• Vinyl stickers
• Floor stickers
• Window stickers

In the rare event that you did not find exactly what you are looking for on our website, you can always request a quote and we will find a way to work things out for you! Lastly, you can have the peace of mind knowing that we will ensure to deliver your orders at the soonest possible time. Get in touch with us today and we will be more than happy to help!

Get more

AIACCESS CONTRACTORS

Home-aiaccess contractors

Interior, Construction & Maintenance

Aiaccess Contractors employs a compendium of highly skilled Technicians and cutting-edge machinery and technology to deliver unmatched expertise and unparalleled professionalism in all our undertakings, our facilities strictly adhere to International safety regulations and efficiency standards with the incessant implementation of TQM procedure

We undertake a wide variety of building and maintenance work – from small, one of residential jobs, to home builds to large commercial or industrial projects. At Aiaccess Contractors, we specialize in many different types of building maintenance work.

Get More infomation
AIACCESS CONTRACTORS

CBN Moves To Regulate Non-interest Securities

 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has moved to regulate the operation of investments in Islamic non-interest securities, with the introduction of protection charges on Non-Interest asset backed securities in the country.

The expectation is that the measure will help to guarantee confidence in the non-interest securities market.

In a circular that we as issued by the central bank, the decision to regulate the market was triggered by the increasing investments in Islamic securities like Sukuk. The CBN’s non-interest asset backed securities (CNI-ABS) tagged the charges as Wakalah, a protection, delegation, or authorization measure by the apex bank.

The circular that was signed by CBN’s director, financial markets department,  Angela Ejembi reads, “The increased investments in Sukuk issued by multilateral organisations and the rising participation of non-interest financial institutions at the CBN windows has made it mandatory that the CNI-ABS to be operationalised.”

Wakalah an Islamic finance tool that denotes an agency contract, where one party appoints another to conduct a defined legal action on his behalf, for a specified fee or commission.

From the 2021 if the contents of the draft framework appeals to individuals or institutions interested in the CBN Non-Interest Asset Backed Securities (CNI-ABS), the CBN plans to charge: 10.00 per cent of the underlying return for 1 to 30 days investment; 7.50 per cent for 31 to 90 days; 5.00 per cent for 91 to 180 days; and 2.50 per cent for 181 to 365 days.

Ejembi stated that “the Central Bank of Nigeria developed the CBN Non-Interest Asset Backed Securities (CNI-ABS) to deepen the Nigerian financial markets, increase financial inclusion and provide a liquidity management instrument that is compliant with the principles of non-interest finance in Nigeria.”

The CBN is now asking for “observations and comments” on the exposure draft of the framework for the operationalisation of the Central Bank of Nigeria Non-Interest Asset Backed Securities. These observations and comments are expected to be with the CBN on Friday, 8th January, 2021.

The structure of the CBN non-interest asset backed securities (CNI-ABS) include: Full or partial conversion (into local currency) of the value of CBN investments in Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and/or International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) sukuk, or any other sukuk from multilateral organisations where Nigeria is a member.

Other structures of the CNI-ABS are: Securitisation of the value of CBN investment based on the maturity profile of the underlying security which shall serve as the issue account, for auction purposes; auction of the securitised assets to eligible institutions; transfer allotment of auction amount to eligible institutions based on their subscription; and transfer of earnings received related to the securitised assets to eligible institutions based on their holdings, less all amounts outstanding. This shall be net of applicable charges as may be approved from time to time.

Others are: the assets shall meet the condition of tradability in sharia; the investor shall enter into a unilateral binding undertaking to sell the nominal to the CBN at maturity; upon exercise of unilateral binding undertaking, the asset becomes exclusively owned by the CBN who reserves the right to hold or reissue it to the market.

The draft framework also stated that “the bid applications shall not carry any rate. All successful bids shall be satisfied at a rate of return corresponding to the earnings on the underlying security. The rate of return shall be based on tenor and amount invested, and shall be subject to applicable (Wakala) charges/fees.

A single exchange rate will apply (based on Wa’d) for issuing, maturity and return of each issue relative to the underlying asset and will be determined at the beginning of each auction.

Another interesting thing investors have been asked to assess is the settlement terms. According to the CBN, “settlement shall be on a T+0 basis. Auction shall take place on any approved business day, while cash settlement and securities allotment shall take place on the next business day.”

On the settlement day, the CBN is expected to: debit the operating accounts of all successful institutions at the auction; credit CBN designated account with the value; debit CNI-ABS issue account and credit the institution’s securities account. The CBN shall be the depository of the securities.

The CNI-ABS will have the following features: It shall be a tradable instrument; its rate shall be determined by the returns on the underlying asset; its maturity shall be on any day of the week and shall be matched with the coupon payment date of the underlying asset; it shall qualify as a liquid asset for the eligible institution’s assets.

Based on the new regulatory instrument, returns received during the period but before maturity of an issue shall be held in trust in an account that does not yield any interest to the CBN; where an issue matures before receipt of coupon by the CBN, the Bank shall pay the accrued return as advance/loan at zero interest rate in anticipation of expected return.

AIACCESS CONTRACORS

FOLLOW US  FACEBOOK