8 Website Development Best Practices to Enhance Security and Performance
Cyberattacks come in different forms, and are becoming more frequent. It might have even come to a point where no matter what we do, it feels like cybercriminals are always a step ahead. As if to add to the problem, the responsibility of creating a secure website falls on individuals who are already pressured to meet users' constant demand for faster performance.
However, prioritising both website security and performance is absolutely necessary. If your business isn’t giving them the time of the day, prepare to suffer the consequences. Below are eight website development best practices to ensure your site runs smoothly and stays protected from cyberthreats.
1. Use HTTPS and SSL Certificates to Secure User Data
HTTPS encrypts data between your website and the user’s browser, preventing attackers from intercepting sensitive information. SSL certificates provide visible security indicators (padlock symbol and https), assuring visitors that your website is secure. The fact that HTTPS ensures compatibility with modern browsers leads to better overall performance.
2. Regularly Update Software to Patch Vulnerabilities
Cybercriminals often exploit outdated systems, which is why it’s crucial to keep your software updated. But apart from boosting security, updates can also include performance improvements, bug fixes and new features that optimise website loading speeds.
3. Optimise Images and Media Files for Faster Load Times
Large media files are one of the main culprits for slow websites. Fortunately, you can compress these files to reduce their size without compromising quality. Tools like ImageOptim or TinyPNG can help shrink images, while newer formats like WebP offer excellent compression.
By optimising your images and media files, you’ll significantly enhance your site’s performance, ensuring a smoother user experience and reducing the likelihood of visitors abandoning your site due to slow load times.
4. Implement Secure File Uploads to Prevent Malware
File uploads are a common feature, but they can also introduce security risks. A secure file upload system ensures that files are properly validated before they are processed. Developers should restrict the type and size of files users can upload to minimise risk.
All uploaded files should be scanned for malware, and user inputs should be sanitised to prevent common attacks like cross-site scripting (XSS). This keeps malicious code from being uploaded to the site, reducing potential vulnerabilities.
5. Leverage a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for Faster Global Access
Content delivery networks (CDNs) distribute content across a network of servers located in various geographic regions. This reduces the distance between the server and the user, resulting in faster page load times.
Because traffic is spread across multiple servers, CDNs shield against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, making it difficult to overwhelm any single server. The combination of faster loading times and DDoS protection enhances both security and user experience.
6. Utilise Browser Caching to Improve Load Times
With browser caching, users can temporarily store specific files on their devices for a set period. As a result, the server receives fewer requests each time a user visits your website, which translates to faster load times. Websites with a great deal of traffic or large media assets benefit from browser caching.
7. Enforce Strong Password Policies and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Weak passwords are one of the most common vulnerabilities, yet some organisations don’t have relevant policies in place. Enforcing complex passwords, along with multi-factor authentication (MFA), greatly reduces the risk of unauthorised access.
8. Minimise External Resources to Reduce Vulnerabilities
External sources like third-party scripts and plugins can introduce vulnerabilities and slow down website performance. It’s best to remove ones that are unnecessary, and use those that might be essential sparingly. Doing so would help reduce the risk of attacks and improve loading speeds.
Prioritising Security and Performance: Essential for Business Success
Focusing on website security and performance pays off greatly, especially in the long run. Faster load times and fewer security issues translate to increased user trust and engagement. And as technology evolves, staying updated with current practices ensures your website remains secure, efficient and ready for the future.
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