In the digital age, your website is one of your most important assets, especially for home improvement contractors. Unfortunately, hacked websites are a reality many businesses face. In this blog post, we’ll cover the essential steps to recover your website after a hack and how to protect it from future attacks. Based on insights from a recent episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors, we’ll walk you through the process of recovery, SEO considerations, and the importance of maintaining your site’s security.
What to Do When Your Website is Hacked
Your first instinct when your website is hacked may be to panic, but staying calm is key. A hacked website can feel overwhelming, but there are structured steps to get your site back up and running.
Don’t Panic – Stay Calm
The first and most important step is not to panic. Your website is a critical part of your business, especially for generating leads and providing information to your customers. Losing control of your site can be stressful, but staying calm will help you navigate the recovery process more effectively. The sooner you address the hack, the sooner you can recover your online presence.
Step 1: Clean Your Website
Once you’ve composed yourself, it’s time to start the recovery process. Cleaning your site is the first major step in recovering from a hack. There are two primary ways to do this:
- Restore from a backup: If you have daily backups of your website, you can restore it to a version from before the hack. While you may lose recent content, it’s a quick way to get back online with a clean version of your site.
- Use a professional service: If you don’t have backups or if the hack is more complex, consider using a service like Sucuri to remove malicious code from your website. These services can thoroughly clean your site and help prevent future hacks.
Step 2: Request a Google Review
After cleaning your site, you need to make sure that Google is aware your site is safe again. Hacked websites often get de-indexed by Google, meaning they no longer appear in search results. This can lead to a significant loss in traffic and visibility.
To get back into Google’s good graces, you’ll need to request a review through Google Search Console. This process involves asking Google to rescan your site to verify it is clean and safe for visitors. Once Google deems your site safe, it will be re-indexed and begin appearing in search results again.
Step 3: Rebuild Trust with Google
After your site is clean and re-indexed, the next step is to rebuild trust with Google. One of the best ways to do this is by creating content that demonstrates Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness (E-A-T). Google favors websites that provide high-quality, authoritative content that benefits users.
Start publishing new content that positions you as an expert in your field. For home improvement contractors, this could mean blog posts about services you offer, tips for homeowners, or industry trends. The goal is to show Google that your site provides valuable, trustworthy information.
Why Do Hackers Target Websites?
You might wonder why hackers target websites in the first place. As Janet and Caitlin discussed in the podcast, the most common reason is to drive traffic to other sites. Hackers may inject backlinks into your website that lead to spammy or malicious websites, hoping to boost the SEO of their own pages. In some cases, it may seem like the hack serves no purpose at all, but it’s typically part of an effort to manipulate search rankings or steal data.
Protecting Your Website from Future Hacks
Once your site is back online, the final step is ensuring it doesn’t happen again. Proactive protection is essential to keeping your site safe from hackers.
Use Daily Malware Scans
One of the best ways to protect your website is by using daily malware scans. These scans help detect any malicious activity early and allow you to address potential threats before they become a serious problem.
Implement Firewalls and Security Plugins
Installing firewalls and security plugins adds an extra layer of protection to your site. These tools help block hackers from gaining access and keep your website’s backend secure.
Keep Your Website Software Updated
Keeping your website software, plugins, and themes up to date is critical for preventing vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Regular updates ensure you’re using the latest security patches to protect your site from known threats.
Final Thoughts
Recovering from a hacked website can be stressful, but with the right approach, you can minimize the damage and restore your online presence. By following these steps—cleaning your site, requesting a Google review, and rebuilding trust through content—you can get your site back on track. Additionally, implementing strong security measures like daily malware scans, firewalls, and regular updates will help prevent future hacks and keep your business safe online.
If you’re unsure how to proceed or need help protecting your website, reach out to Fat Cat Strategies for expert assistance in securing your website and restoring its visibility.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long does it take to recover a hacked website?
A: The recovery time depends on the severity of the hack and the actions you take. Cleaning the site and requesting a Google review can take a few days, but rebuilding trust through content may take longer.
Q: Will my SEO be affected by a hack?
A: Yes, a hacked website can negatively impact your SEO. Google may de-index your site or lower its rankings if it detects malicious activity. Recovering your SEO involves cleaning your site, requesting re-indexing, and rebuilding trust with high-quality content.
Q: How can I prevent future hacks?
A: Implement security measures like daily malware scans, firewalls, regular software updates, and using a secure hosting provider. Regularly monitoring your website will also help catch any suspicious activity early.
