If you're like me, you've probably run into a tricky technical task that had you scratching your head, wondering whether to hire a developer or spend hours deep-diving into DIY guides. But before you do that, let me clue you in on a little secret: your hosting provider might already have you covered.
I’ve been working with WordPress for 14+ years, and one thing I've learned is that quality hosting support can be a real lifesaver. They can help with everything from site migrations to server management, and in this article, I'm going to share 20 technical tasks your hosting provider can handle to save you time and money.
Site Migrations
Migrating your website can feel like moving to a new house—it’s exciting but comes with a lot of potential headaches. Whether you're switching hosts, changing environments, or just nervous about the whole process, a reliable hosting provider can make the transition seamless.
- Moving to Their Service: When switching to a new host, they often handle the entire migration process, making sure everything from your databases to your emails is moved accurately and efficiently.
- Moving Away from Their Service: Even if you're moving away, a quality host will often still help with the migration, aiming to keep a positive relationship.
- Changing Environments: Moving from staging to production? No problem. Your host can help ensure continuity and performance stability.
Rewriting or Redirecting URLs in Your .htaccess File
The .htaccess file is like your website’s rulebook, and making changes to it can be intimidating. But here’s the good news: your host can either walk you through it or even do it for you.
- SEO-Friendly URLs: Clean up those ugly query strings (like
example.com/product.php?id=123) and make them SEO-friendly (like example.com/product/123).
- Forcing HTTPS: Secure connections are a must these days. Redirect all traffic from HTTP to HTTPS to boost security and SEO.
- Removing File Extensions: Hide those
.php or .html extensions for cleaner URLs (like changing example.com/about.html to example.com/about).
- Directing WWW vs. Non-WWW: Standardize your URLs by choosing www or non-www to avoid duplicate content issues.
- Handling Trailing Slashes: Add or remove trailing slashes to keep your URL structure consistent.
Managing SSL Certificates
SSL certificates aren’t just for security anymore—they’re also about trust and SEO. Your hosting provider can manage SSL certificates from purchase to troubleshooting.
- Initial Installation: Setting up an SSL certificate when you first launch your site secures your domain and establishes trust.
- Renewal: Certificates expire and need renewing periodically. Your host can handle this so there's no lapse in security.
- Upgrading Certificates: Need more security? Upgrading to an EV (Extended Validation) SSL might be necessary as your site grows.
- Resolving Errors: "Certificate name mismatch"? Your host can fix common SSL issues to ensure everything works smoothly.
DNS Configuration
DNS can be a head-scratcher. Despite my 14+ years as a WordPress developer, I sometimes still rely on my host to help me out. Here’s where they can step in:
- Redirects: Rebranding or changing your domain name? Redirects ensure visitors reach your new site without losing SEO value.
- MX Records for Email: Set up your MX records correctly to ensure emails reach the right server without getting lost.
- DMARC for Email Security: DMARC helps keep your emails out of spam folders and protects your domain from abuse.
PHP Configuration
Tweaking PHP settings can feel like guesswork, but your hosting provider knows the ropes. Here’s how they can help:
- Memory Limit: Bump up the memory limit if your site has complex apps or high traffic to prevent scripts from running out of memory.
- Max Execution Time: Lengthy operations like data imports can time out. Your host can adjust this setting to keep tasks running smoothly.
- File Upload Size: Increase the max file upload size so users can upload larger files without a hitch.
- Error Reporting: Error reporting is crucial during development but a security risk in production. Your host can help you get it just right.
- Time Zone: Setting the correct time zone ensures your posts, events, and date calculations are accurate.
Error Debugging
We’ve all faced website errors that make us want to pull our hair out. But before you go bald, let your hosting provider help!
- 500 Internal Server Error: Misconfigured
.htaccess files or plugin conflicts often cause this generic error. Your host can pinpoint and fix the problem.
- 404 Not Found: Broken links or incorrect URL structures? Your host can help you fix these issues so visitors land on the right pages.
- PHP Errors: Syntax mistakes or deprecated functions can cripple your site. Your host can enable error reporting and analyze logs to identify the faulty code.
- Database Connection Errors: If your site can’t connect to the database, it’s game over. Your host can fix database credentials, server settings, or corrupt databases.
- Slow Performance Issues: Sluggish site? Unoptimized code, bloated databases, or resource limitations might be the culprit. Your host can analyze performance logs and suggest improvements.
