Thankfully, if you’re using a reliable hosting provider, your risk of downtime is significantly lower. However, given that 81% of retailers experience downtime at least once a year, it’s better to be aware of what you can do to prevent a website crash.In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most common reasons for a website crash and tips on preventing it in each instance. » Looking for a hosting provider? Check out our top picks for the best hosting services and companies.1. Surges in TrafficSurges in traffic happen when too many visitors come to your website at once, overwhelming the hosting server and bringing your entire website down.And the worst part? It happens exactly when your chances of making more sales are the highest, i.e., when many people are on your website at once. How to Prevent Surges in TrafficIn short, you don’t want to prevent surges in traffic; you want to make sure your website can handle them. Traffic can sharply increase after you launch a new marketing or ad campaign, so make sure you plan for it in advance and upgrade your hosting plan if necessary.Traffic surges can also be seasonal or related to an increased demand for your product, so monitor your traffic frequently.2. Plugin ErrorsNot all plugins are created equal. While some are extremely helpful, others might bring your website down. The reasons why a plugin might crash your website include the following: A plugin might’ve been built poorly from the startPlugin developers might stop updating it at some pointIt might be incompatible with other plugins you’re usingYou might have forgotten to update itHow to Prevent Plugin ErrorsJust because you can install a plugin, it doesn’t mean you should. Beyond crashing your website, plugins can also negatively impact page speed, so carefully vet all the plugins you use, only install the ones you really need, and make sure you update them frequently.» Check out our top picks for the best WordPress hosting services.3. Coding ErrorsIf the code of your website is not built correctly, your website might crash, or a part of it might become dysfunctional and not display correctly. How to Prevent Coding ErrorsIf you’re using a website builder, you most likely won’t have to deal with code at all. However, if you’re building the website yourself, make sure you know what you’re doing each time you’re updating anything, and always keep backups.Alternatively, hire a web developer to take care of maintenance and updates. 4. Hacker AttackA hacker attack can also bring your website down. The most common type is a DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack, in which a hacker overwhelms your website with traffic from different sources.How to Prevent a Hacker AttackTo prevent a hacker attack, use HTTPS instead of HTTP and keep all your passwords secure (preferably in a reliable password manager) and all software and plugins up to date. HostGator also advises installing the right security plugins and performing automatic backups.» Use these tips to protect your website from hackers.5. Virus Attack It’s not always a malicious person who’s on the other side. Your website could be brought down by a bot too. Harmful malware might crash your website, but it might also infect your computer and your visitors’ devices, so it’s crucial to make sure your site is protected at all times. How to Prevent a Virus AttackLike the previous point, make sure you use an HTTPS protocol and always protect your passwords. It’s also a good idea not to allow users to upload files to your website unless you specifically need it because this can open the door to malware. 6. Expired Hosting When getting a hosting plan, you usually buy one that covers you for a year or two. Once that hosting plan expires, your website will no longer be accessible. How to Prevent Your Hosting Plan From ExpiringThis one is easy. Make sure your hosting plan is put on auto-renewal or that you have the right systems in place to stay on top of all due dates.If you’d rather not auto-renew your hosting plan for some reason (e.g., if you’re changing your hosting provider), make sure you’re giving yourself enough time to do this before the expiration date.» Thinking of going with a domain hosting service? Check out our top picks.7. Expired Domain Your domain name is not the same thing as your hosting plan; both need to be renewed separately. If your domain name (i.e., the address of your website) expires, your website will become unavailable. How to Prevent Your Domain From ExpiringAgain, the best solution here is to use the auto-renewal function of the provider that manages your domain name. In most cases, that’d be your hosting provider.8. Issues With Your Hosting ProviderIf your hosting provider experiences downtime or does maintenance with little or no notice, this can cause a website crash. How to Prevent Hosting IssuesThe most obvious solution is to choose a reliable hosting provider with a proven uptime track record. If you have no experience with hosting a website and are still looking for the best solution, we can help!» Take a look at our top picks for the best web hosting providers for small businesses.9. Being Blacklisted by GoogleIf your website gets blacklisted by Google, users receive a warning message that says, “Your connection is not private,” “The website ahead contains malware,” or something similar.While this isn’t exactly the same as a website crash, the result is nearly identical. Your traffic, ranking, and sales will suffer until you resolve the issue. How to Prevent Being Blacklisted by GoogleOur advice is similar to preventing hacker or virus attacks. Make sure your passwords are safe, all software and plugins are updated, and you’re using HTTPS encryption and the right security plugins. 10. A DNS errorA DNS error could be the result of incorrect DNS configuration, or it might also mean that your DNS provider is experiencing an issue. Alternatively, your website could be infected, resulting in your hosting provider blocking your site.How to Prevent a DNS ErrorKeep all plugins up to date, make sure your website is secure, and ensure your domain or hosting plan hasn’t expired.» Try iPage for affordable web hosting.Avoid Website Crashes by Using the Right Prevention StrategiesIf your website crashes, it’s important to identify the core reason and address the issue as fast as possible. But even more important than that is prevention. Thankfully, with reliable hosting providers and website builders, prevention is easier than ever. Just make sure you’re keeping all software and plugins up to date and that your passwords are secure at all times. Also, don’t forget to update your credit card info if your card expires. Otherwise, your domain name and hosting won’t auto-renew.» Want managed WordPress hosting plans? Try Bluehost.
