{"id":13623,"date":"2026-01-07T08:42:47","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T08:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/?p=13623"},"modified":"2026-02-07T09:53:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T09:53:57","slug":"inheriting-wordpress-site-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Essential Things to Do When Inheriting WordPress Site"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inheriting WordPress site\u2014whether from a client, previous developer, or acquisition\u2014can be exciting but overwhelming. Without a proper handover, you risk security vulnerabilities, performance issues, or lost functionality that could harm rankings and user experience. At Cope Business, we&#8217;ve assisted many clients in smoothly transitioning sites during our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/technical-seo-services\/technical-seo-audit-service\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/technical-seo-services\/technical-seo-audit-service\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">technical SEO audit services<\/a>, uncovering hidden problems and optimizing for long-term success. This 2026 guide outlines 10 critical steps to take control, secure the site, and set it up for growth.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 ez-toc-wrap-left counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">On this page<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Alternar tabla de contenidos\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#1_Gather_All_Passwords_and_Access_Details\" >1. Gather All Passwords and Access Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#2_Update_All_Admin_Passwords_and_Emails\" >2. Update All Admin Passwords and Emails<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#3_Document_and_Familiarize_Yourself_with_the_Site\" >3. Document and Familiarize Yourself with the Site<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#4_Implement_an_Automated_Backup_Solution\" >4. Implement an Automated Backup Solution<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#5_Review_and_Adjust_User_Roles_and_Permissions\" >5. Review and Adjust User Roles and Permissions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#6_Perform_Security_and_Performance_Scans\" >6. Perform Security and Performance Scans<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#7_Verify_Tracking_and_SEO_Integrations\" >7. Verify Tracking and SEO Integrations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#8_Set_Up_Version_Control_or_a_Staging_Site\" >8. Set Up Version Control or a Staging Site<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#9_Conduct_a_Thorough_Site_Cleanup\" >9. Conduct a Thorough Site Cleanup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#10_Review_and_Update_Plugin_Settings\" >10. Review and Update Plugin Settings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wordpress\/heredar-wordpress-site-tips\/#Final_Thoughts_and_Pro_Tips\" >Final Thoughts and Pro Tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Follow these to minimize risks and ensure a seamless takeover. For professional assistance with audits or optimizations, contact us for a free consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Gather_All_Passwords_and_Access_Details\"><\/span>1. Gather All Passwords and Access Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by collecting every login credential to avoid lockouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Request usernames\/passwords for hosting, FTP, domain registrar, CDN, email marketing tools, premium plugins, and third-party services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schedule a call with the previous owner or developer for a walkthrough.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a secure password manager like LastPass to store and organize them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ensures full access and prevents reliance on outdated info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Update_All_Admin_Passwords_and_Emails\"><\/span>2. Update All Admin Passwords and Emails<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Secure your new site immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Change passwords for all admin users in <strong>Users > All Users<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Update the site admin email in <strong>Settings > General<\/strong> to your own.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install WP Mail SMTP if emails aren&#8217;t delivering reliably.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This revokes previous access and routes notifications to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Document_and_Familiarize_Yourself_with_the_Site\"><\/span>3. Document and Familiarize Yourself with the Site<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take notes to understand the site&#8217;s setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Review plugins, themes, widgets, and custom features.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document key functionalities and contact the previous team for clarifications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use tools like Google Docs for organized notes on essential elements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This helps you maintain and build upon the existing structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Implement_an_Automated_Backup_Solution\"><\/span>4. Implement an Automated Backup Solution<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Protect against data loss from the start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Install UpdraftPlus or Duplicator for scheduled backups to remote storage (e.g., Google Drive).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a full backup before making any changes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test restores to ensure reliability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular backups allow quick recovery if issues arise during the transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Review_and_Adjust_User_Roles_and_Permissions\"><\/span>5. Review and Adjust User Roles and Permissions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Limit access to what&#8217;s necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Audit users in <strong>Users > All Users<\/strong> and reduce admin roles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assign appropriate permissions (e.g., editor for content creators).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disable or delete inactive accounts, and create new ones if needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This enhances security by minimizing high-level access points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Perform_Security_and_Performance_Scans\"><\/span>6. Perform Security and Performance Scans<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Identify vulnerabilities early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Run a security scan with Sucuri or Wordfence to detect malware or threats.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check performance with tools like GTmetrix or PageSpeed Insights.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enable caching and a CDN if not already set up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Address findings to boost speed and safety\u2014consider our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/technical-seo-services\/wordpress-speed-optimization-services\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/technical-seo-services\/wordpress-speed-optimization-services\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">WordPress speed optimization services<\/a> for deeper tuning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Verify_Tracking_and_SEO_Integrations\"><\/span>7. Verify Tracking and SEO Integrations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ensure data and search visibility transfer smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Confirm Google Analytics setup (e.g., via MonsterInsights).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access and update Google Search Console with new sitemaps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install or configure All in One SEO for meta tweaks and schema.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This prevents SEO drops and maintains tracking accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Set_Up_Version_Control_or_a_Staging_Site\"><\/span>8. Set Up Version Control or a Staging Site<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Test changes safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Use Git (via hosting or plugins) for version control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a staging environment (many hosts like SiteGround offer this) for previews.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Push changes from staging to live once verified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This avoids breaking the live site during updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Conduct_a_Thorough_Site_Cleanup\"><\/span>9. Conduct a Thorough Site Cleanup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remove unnecessary elements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deactivate and delete unused plugins\/themes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clean the database of orphaned data via phpMyAdmin or plugins like WP-Optimize.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scan for and remove leftover code from deleted items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cleanup improves performance and reduces security risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Review_and_Update_Plugin_Settings\"><\/span>10. Review and Update Plugin Settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Customize configurations for your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Check each plugin&#8217;s options (e.g., form notifications, SEO social profiles).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test features like contact forms and integrations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Update any outdated references to previous owners or branding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ensures the site aligns with your goals and operates smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Final_Thoughts_and_Pro_Tips\"><\/span>Final Thoughts and Pro Tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inheriting a WordPress site is an opportunity to optimize and grow\u2014focus on security, performance, and SEO from day one to avoid costly issues later. Always backup before changes, and consider a professional audit to uncover hidden problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additional tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regenerate security keys in wp-config.php.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scan themes for suspicious code with TAC plugin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Document everything in a shared file for future reference.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;re taking over a site and need expert help with audits, migrations, or optimizations, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">contact Cope Business<\/a> for a free technical SEO consultation\u2014we&#8217;ll ensure a smooth handover.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Inheriting WordPress site&mdash;whether from a client, previous developer, or acquisition&mdash;can be exciting but overwhelming. Without a proper handover, you risk [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":13705,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13623","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wordpress"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13623","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13623"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13624,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13623\/revisions\/13624"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13705"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.copebusiness.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}