Tip #1: Clean up your dashboard.

When you log into WordPress, you’ll often see a lot of information on the main screen. Unless you’re a developer, most of the items will not be of interest to you. Instead, use the dashboard to show useful notices — if you’re using a shop plugin, analytics plugin or contact form plugin, you can see the latest information posted here.

To hide items from the dashboard, click on screen options at the upper right top of the screen and uncheck anything you don’t want to display.

Tip #2: Show more posts / pages on one page

Working with a lot of content? The default setting for page number is 20 — but what if you want to show more? Click on screen options in the upper right and put in the desired number of pages you’d like to see on one page (I usually show 30 or 40.) This will show more posts or pages on the main screen.

Tip #3: Give your space some space to write!

To increase the size of the text entry box when writing a blog click on:

Tools > Settings > Writing

Change the post box to 30 or 40 to give. I don’t recommend going larger than 50 unless you are working on a large monitor.

Tip #4: Change your default category

While you’re on the writing settings screen also change your default category from “uncategorized” to your most commonly used category. That way, you’ll always have your posts in a standard category.

I’ve had more clients than I care to count have their sites removed, email hacked and passwords changed by disgruntled (ex) exployees.

So here are a few safeguards to put in place:

1. Backup your site.
   (I know I know, we always say we’ll do this..kind of like writing a will and flossing our teeth.) But at least try to do this once a month — put it on the calendar. Do it when you feed the dog his heart worm pill. You can set sites to auto-backup, but I always like to make sure I also have a copy I’ve manually created stored in an off-site (cloud storage such as dropbox) location. In one instance, a client’s employee deleted all of the content from a site — I was able to have them back up and running in minutes.
2. Store your passwords in an easily accessible secure location.
   I personally use a password protected Excel spreadsheet stored on my hard drive, but there are numerous online password systems. Please don’t use the sticky note taped to the computer system of password recovery – you’re just inviting people to hack into your accounts.
3. Change your passwords
   When someone who has access to your accounts is removed from your company, make sure you change the passwords for all accounts. Think of yourself as a digital landlord changing the locks. Make sure to change passwords and remove extra accounts for your:

   • WordPress site
   • web host
   • email account(s)
   • email newsletter service (constant contact, mailchimp, aweber, etc)
   • FTP account
   • twitter
   • facebook
   • any other social media accounts
   • online scheduler (mindbodyonline, genbook, bizeebee, etc)
   • paypal, merchant accounts
   • any other online service accounts

   **Bonus points if you setup separate accounts just for them – then you can easily delete their accounts.

4. Use strong passwords
   It’s easy to use the cat’s name, but use strong passwords whenever possible. Google “strong password generator” to find free online services that instantly generate complex passwords that combine letters, numbers and special characters. And by the way, “password” isn’t a strong password.
5. Let them know you’re watching
   Make it a part of your HR manual that any malicious online activity will be monitored and not tolerated. There are great plugins to monitor activity on WordPress and if you use gmail, you can track what IP addresses accessed your account.

Check it out at http://bizeebee.com/blog/2012/01/6-things-to-know-before-hiring-a-web-designer/