The Ultimate WordPress Maintenance Checklist (Monthly)

Use this checklist every month — or hand it to your WordPress maintenance provider and verify they actually complete each item.

Updates

Core, plugins, themes (staging first). WooCommerce and payment gateways tested with a real $0.01 or sandbox order.

Backups

Verify automated backups ran. Download one restore test per quarter.

Security

Scan for malware, review admin users, confirm 2FA on admin accounts, check SSL expiry.

Performance

Run PageSpeed Insights, check Core Web Vitals, optimize new images, clear bloated transients.

SEO & content

Fix 404s in Search Console, check sitemap, update outdated pricing or hours, test forms and checkout.

Uptime

Review uptime reports. Investigate any blip over 5 minutes.

Next steps

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