Quick answer: Five non-technical security basics that cover most of how small business sites actually get compromised — each takes less than an hour to check.
Website security sounds like a job for a specialist, but most of the basics that keep a small business site safe take less than an hour to check and don’t require any technical background. Here are five worth going through today.
5 Security Basics to Check Today
1
Make sure your site uses HTTPS. Look at your website’s address bar: does it show a small padlock icon and start with “https” rather than “http”? That padlock means your site has an SSL certificate encrypting the connection between your visitors and your server. Most hosting providers now include a free certificate automatically, but it’s worth checking every site you own, especially older ones. A missing padlock can scare off visitors and hurts your search ranking, since browsers actively flag sites without it as “not secure.”
2
Keep everything updated. If your site runs on WordPress or a similar platform, your core software, theme, and plugins all receive periodic security updates. Skipping them is one of the most common ways small business sites get compromised, since attackers specifically target known weaknesses in outdated versions. Most platforms will show you a notification when updates are available. If you’re not comfortable applying them yourself, this is exactly the kind of thing worth asking for help with.
3
Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. Reused or simple passwords are still one of the leading causes of website break-ins. Use a different, complex password for your website admin login than you use anywhere else, ideally generated and stored in a password manager. If your host or platform offers two-factor authentication (a code sent to your phone in addition to your password), turn it on. It takes a minute to set up and blocks the vast majority of automated break-in attempts even if a password is ever exposed.
4
Check that backups are actually happening. Many hosting plans include automatic backups, but it’s worth confirming rather than assuming. Log into your hosting dashboard and look for a backup section: is there a recent backup on file, and do you know how to restore from one if something goes wrong? A site without backups can mean losing everything to a single bad update, hack, or accidental deletion, with no way back.
5
Be wary of unexpected login or renewal emails. A common scam targets small business owners with emails that look like they’re from your web host or domain registrar, warning that your site will be suspended unless you “verify” your account or make an urgent payment. These
phishing attempts often lead to fake login pages designed to steal your real credentials. When in doubt, don’t click the link in the email. Log into your hosting account directly through your browser instead, the way you normally would.
None of This Requires Becoming a Security Expert
These five checks cover the large majority of how small business websites actually get compromised. None of them require special training, just a bit of time and knowing where to look. If you’d like a second pair of eyes on your site’s security, or help with any of these steps, our team offers a free digital growth consultation that includes a plain-language website review. You might also find our guide on signs your website needs an update useful for spotting other issues worth fixing at the same time.
