Behind the scenes, I’ve recently been experimenting with a variety of analytics, search engine optimization (SEO), security, caching, and backup/migration plugins that monitor, market, speed up, and protect WordPress sites.

These backend utility tools have sometimes-too-long names like Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights, All In One SEO Pack, Yost SEO, JetPack, Akismet, Loginizer, SG Optimizer, WP-Optimize, Updraft Plus, and Duplicator. I read reviews and documentation; tinker with settings. Drink more coffee.

Why, you ask?

So you don’t have to

It’s not a glamorous aspect of the job, but customers expect that their site will just work. Consistently. Pages will load quickly and hackers will be kept at bay. Their shiny new website will be running smoothly when they wake up at 3am with insomnia to check it. And it will be ready for their customers, whenever — and from wherever — they visit.

Backend tools are not flashy. They don’t make you smile like an elegant logo, catchy copywriting, or epic photography. But utilities that keep your site stable and performing optimally are an aspect of website development and management that I take very seriously.

So you don’t have to.