Technology

WordPress Rescue & Modernisation
for Australian businesses.

Hacked WordPress site, broken plugins, outdated PHP, slow performance, or a developer who disappeared. We rescue WordPress sites and get them running properly again.

Emergency hack cleanup, security hardening, PHP upgrades, performance optimisation, and ongoing maintenance. Australian owned and operated.

Get WordPress Help Emergency Hack Cleanup
  • AU-built Australian owned and operated
  • Secure Hack cleanup + security
  • Fast Performance optimisation
  • Monthly Maintenance plans available
WordPress Rescue

WordPress is powerful, until it is not maintained

WordPress is the most popular CMS in the world. It powers 43% of websites. But WordPress requires maintenance: core updates, plugin updates, PHP upgrades, security patches, and hosting management. When that maintenance stops, problems start quickly.

The most common call we get: "My WordPress site has been hacked" or "My developer disappeared and I am scared to update anything." Both are solvable. We rescue, secure, and modernise WordPress sites that have been neglected.

We also tell you honestly when WordPress is no longer the right platform. If the site has outgrown WordPress, we will recommend a better path rather than forcing more complexity into a CMS that was not designed for it.

WordPress rescue and modernisation with security hardening and performance optimisation
What We Fix

WordPress rescue services: by problem

Hacked sites, broken plugins, outdated PHP, slow performance, and dated designs. Pick the tab that matches your situation.

Hacked WordPress Site Recovery

Your WordPress site has been hacked: redirects to spam sites, injected malware, defaced pages, or Google flagging it as dangerous. You need it cleaned up, secured, and restored. Fast.

We identify the infection, remove all malicious code, and close the vulnerability that allowed the hack. This includes scanning every file (wp-content, themes, plugins, uploads), checking the database for injected content, and verifying no backdoor scripts remain.

After cleanup: fresh WordPress salts, all passwords changed, file permissions hardened, admin accounts audited, and a Web Application Firewall (WAF) configured. We request Google reconsideration if the site was flagged.

Broken Plugins & Theme Fixes

WordPress update broke the site. A plugin conflict causing white screens, broken layouts, or PHP errors. Theme stopped working after a WordPress core update. Classic WordPress chaos.

We diagnose the conflict: disable plugins systematically, check error logs, identify the specific incompatibility. The broken plugin is either updated, replaced with an alternative, or the conflict is resolved. If a premium plugin is abandoned, we find a maintained replacement.

Theme issues are resolved at the code level. Child theme overrides, template fixes, and CSS corrections. If the theme itself is abandoned or fundamentally broken, we recommend migration to a maintained theme or a custom theme build.

WordPress Core & PHP Upgrades

WordPress site running on PHP 7.2 or 7.4 (end-of-life). WordPress core version stuck on 5.x. Hosting provider pressuring you to upgrade PHP, but you are worried the site will break.

We test the WordPress site against the target PHP version in a staging environment. Every plugin and theme checked for compatibility. Deprecated PHP functions identified and fixed. The upgrade is deployed only after staging confirms everything works.

WordPress core upgrades from 5.x to 6.x, including the transition to the block editor (Gutenberg). If you are using the Classic Editor and want to keep it, that is fine. We configure it properly. If you want to adopt blocks, we migrate templates.

WordPress Performance Optimisation

Slow WordPress site. Pages taking 4+ seconds to load. Core Web Vitals failing in Google Search Console. Hosting provider blaming traffic but the site has modest visitor numbers.

Common causes: too many plugins (30+), unoptimised images, no caching, bloated page builders (Elementor, Divi generating excessive DOM), unminified CSS/JS, slow hosting, and poorly written theme code. We identify the specific bottlenecks.

Server-side caching configured (Redis or WP-Super-Cache). Images optimised and lazy-loaded. Unnecessary plugins removed. Critical CSS inlined. JavaScript deferred. CDN configured if appropriate. The result: sub-2-second page loads.

WordPress Site Modernisation

The WordPress site works but looks dated. Built 5+ years ago with a theme that is no longer maintained. The design does not work well on mobile. Content is disorganised. But the content itself is valuable and you do not want to start over.

We modernise the WordPress site: new theme (custom or premium), responsive design, modern typography, content reorganisation, and updated branding. The existing content is migrated, cleaned up, and restructured for better navigation.

If the site has outgrown WordPress (complex custom functionality, performance limits, or scalability needs), we advise honestly. Sometimes rebuilding on a different platform is the better investment. We will tell you if that is the case.

Hacked WordPress site recovery with malware removal and security hardening
WordPress plugin conflict diagnosis and resolution with systematic troubleshooting
WordPress PHP upgrade with staging environment testing and plugin compatibility verification
WordPress performance optimisation with caching, image compression, and Core Web Vitals improvement
WordPress site modernisation with new responsive theme and content restructuring
Legacy database migration project
Case Study

Legacy database migration that preserved 15 years of data

We migrated a sporting club from Microsoft Access to a modern web platform. Fifteen years of member data, registrations and competition records, safely moved and now cloud-accessible.

Read the full case study
15 yrs Data preserved
100% Cloud accessible
50% Less admin time
Why Fix It Now

Why maintaining WordPress properly matters

WordPress security hardening with firewall, 2FA, and vulnerability scanning

Stop the security risks before they become incidents

WordPress powers 43% of the web, which makes it the biggest target. Automated bots scan for outdated plugins, default admin URLs, and known vulnerabilities 24/7. An unmaintained WordPress site is a sitting duck.

After our rescue work: WordPress core, all plugins, and themes updated to latest versions. Default admin URL changed. Two-factor authentication enabled. File permissions hardened. Web Application Firewall configured. Automatic security scanning enabled.

For e-commerce sites (WooCommerce) and sites handling personal data, security is not optional. It is a legal requirement under the Australian Privacy Act. A breach is expensive in costs, reputation, and customer trust.

WordPress performance impact on SEO rankings and conversion rates

Fast sites rank better and convert more

Google Core Web Vitals directly affect search rankings. A slow WordPress site loses organic traffic. Every second of load time reduces conversions by roughly 7%. For an e-commerce site, that is real revenue lost.

A properly optimised WordPress site loads in under 2 seconds. Images served in WebP, critical CSS inlined, JavaScript deferred, server-side caching active, and a CDN distributing content globally.

The difference is dramatic. We have seen WordPress sites go from 6-second load times to 1.5 seconds after cleanup. Google Search Console shows the improvement within weeks.

WordPress update management with staging environment and controlled deployment

Stop dreading WordPress updates

You know the feeling: WordPress shows update notifications for core, 12 plugins, and the theme. You click "Update All" and hold your breath. Sometimes it works. Sometimes the site breaks.

With proper maintenance, updates are tested in a staging environment before production. Plugin conflicts identified before they reach live. Backups taken before every update. Rollback ready if something goes wrong.

Monthly maintenance means updates happen regularly in a controlled way, rather than accumulating into a risky bulk update every 6-12 months.

Honest WordPress assessment comparing WordPress vs custom platform decision

We will tell you if WordPress is the wrong answer

Not every problem should be solved with WordPress. If your site has outgrown WordPress, with complex custom functionality, high-traffic performance issues, or multi-tenant requirements, we will tell you.

Sometimes the best "WordPress rescue" is migrating to a purpose-built platform. A headless CMS with a custom frontend. A static site generator. A proper web application. We assess what the site actually needs.

But for content sites, blogs, small e-commerce, directories, and brochure sites, WordPress is still the pragmatic choice. Maintained WordPress is reliable, affordable, and easy for non-technical users to edit.

Services

WordPress rescue and maintenance services

Emergency fixes, security hardening, speed optimisation, and monthly maintenance plans.

Emergency Hack Cleanup

Site hacked or flagged by Google? We remove malware, close the vulnerability, and restore your site. Priority response.

Security Hardening

Firewall, 2FA, file permissions, admin URL change, security headers, and automated scanning. Lock it down properly.

Plugin & Theme Repair

Broken plugin, theme conflict, white screen of death, or PHP error. Diagnosed and fixed or replaced.

Speed Optimisation

Caching, image optimisation, CDN, code minification, and plugin reduction. Sub-2-second load times.

Monthly Maintenance Plans

Core, plugin, and theme updates tested in staging. Backups, uptime monitoring, and security scanning. Monthly reports.

Migration Away from WordPress

When WordPress is no longer the right fit. Content migration to Astro, Next.js, headless CMS, or custom-built platform.

WordPress Help

WordPress site broken, hacked, or slow?

Tell us what is wrong. We will assess the site and come back with a clear fix plan and pricing.

Common Situations

WordPress rescue situations we handle

If one of these sounds like your situation, we can help.

01

Hacked Site: Need It Cleaned

WordPress site compromised. Malware, spam redirects, or Google warning. Need it cleaned, secured, and the vulnerability closed.

02

Update Broke the Site

WordPress or plugin update caused white screen, broken layout, or PHP errors. Need it fixed and stable.

03

Hosting Provider Says Upgrade PHP

Host requiring PHP 8.x but scared the site will break. Need the upgrade done safely with staging testing.

04

Slow Site Losing Rankings

WordPress site loading in 4+ seconds. Google rankings dropping. Core Web Vitals failing. Need performance fixed.

05

Developer Disappeared

WordPress developer or agency gone. Site needs ongoing maintenance. Nobody knows how it was built or where things are.

06

Outdated Design, Good Content

WordPress site looks dated but the content is solid. Need a modern redesign without losing SEO rankings or existing content.

How It Works

WordPress rescue process: step by step

From assessment to ongoing maintenance. Everything tested in staging before touching the live site.

1. Site Assessment

We access the WordPress admin and hosting. Check WordPress version, PHP version, all plugin and theme versions. Identify security issues, performance bottlenecks, and broken functionality. You get a clear report of what needs fixing.

2. Staging & Backup

Full backup of the live site (files + database). Staging environment set up as an exact copy. All changes tested in staging before touching the live site. Nothing goes to production untested.

3. Security & Cleanup

Malware removed (if hacked). Vulnerable plugins updated or replaced. Unused plugins and themes deleted. File permissions corrected. Database cleaned of spam and orphaned data. Security hardening applied.

4. Updates & Fixes

WordPress core, plugins, and themes updated to latest compatible versions. PHP upgraded in staging. Compatibility issues resolved. Broken functionality repaired.

5. Performance Optimisation

Caching configured, images optimised, CSS/JS minified, unnecessary plugins removed, and server-level optimisations applied. Core Web Vitals measured and improved.

6. Deploy & Monitor

Staging changes pushed to live with careful testing. Uptime monitoring, security scanning, and error alerting configured. Monthly maintenance plan set up for ongoing health.

Technical Context

Technologies involved in WordPress rescue

WordPress, PHP, MySQL, caching, CDN, and hosting platforms.

WordPress

Our main WordPress development page covering new builds, WooCommerce, and custom plugin development.

PHP

WordPress runs on PHP. PHP version upgrades are a core part of WordPress maintenance.

MySQL

WordPress database. Optimisation, cleanup, and migration to newer MySQL versions or MariaDB.

Hosting Management

WP Engine, SiteGround, Kinsta, VPS, or AWS hosting. We work with whatever platform the site lives on.

CDN & Caching

Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, or server-level caching. Content delivery optimisation for WordPress.

WooCommerce

E-commerce on WordPress. Plugin updates, payment gateway fixes, and performance for product-heavy stores.

Our WordPress site got hacked and Google flagged it. HELLO PEOPLE cleaned it up in 48 hours, locked it down with proper security, and set up monthly maintenance. It has been running cleanly for over a year now. Should have done this ages ago.

Business Owner E-commerce, Perth
Related Services

Related technology and service pages

Technology

WordPress Development

Our main WordPress page. New WordPress builds, WooCommerce, custom themes, and plugin development.

Technology

PHP Support & Upgrades

PHP version upgrades and support. WordPress is PHP, and the PHP upgrade is often part of the WordPress rescue.

Technology

PHP Development

Custom PHP development, including WordPress plugin development and bespoke PHP applications.

Technology

Shopify Development

If WooCommerce has outgrown your needs, Shopify might be the right migration target for e-commerce.

Technology

Progressive Web App Development

If your WordPress site needs app-like features, a PWA layer can add offline access and push notifications.

Service

Custom Software Development

When WordPress has been outgrown. Custom-built web applications for complex business requirements.

FAQs

Common questions about WordPress rescue

My WordPress site has been hacked. How quickly can you fix it?

We start hack cleanup within 24 hours of engagement (usually same day for Australian time zone). Most hacked sites are cleaned and secured within 1-2 business days. Complex infections (backdoors in multiple locations, database injection) may take 3-5 days.

How do you scope and price a WordPress rescue project?

We audit the site first (hack scope, plugin conflicts, PHP compatibility, performance bottlenecks), then provide a fixed-price quote. Hack cleanup, plugin/theme conflict resolution, PHP upgrade fixes and performance optimisation are each scoped independently. Ongoing maintenance plans are quoted separately based on site complexity.

Can you update my WordPress site to PHP 8.x without breaking it?

Yes. We set up a staging copy, upgrade PHP in staging, test every page and plugin, fix compatibility issues, and then deploy to production. The live site is not touched until staging is fully verified.

My WordPress developer disappeared. Can you take it over?

Yes. This is one of our most common WordPress requests. We need admin access and hosting access. We audit the site, document what is there, secure it, and then handle ongoing maintenance.

Should I stay on WordPress or rebuild on something else?

For content sites, blogs, small e-commerce, and brochure sites, WordPress is usually the right answer. For complex custom functionality, high-traffic applications, or multi-tenant platforms, a custom build is often better. We assess honestly and tell you which path makes sense.

How many plugins should a WordPress site have?

There is no magic number, but more plugins means more security surface area, more update management, and more potential conflicts. We typically see well-maintained sites running 10-20 plugins. Sites with 40+ plugins usually have redundant or unnecessary ones that can be removed.

Do you host WordPress sites?

We do not provide hosting directly. We work with your existing host (SiteGround, WP Engine, Kinsta, VPS, AWS, etc.) or recommend a host appropriate for your traffic and requirements. We manage the WordPress application, not the server.

Can you redesign my WordPress site without losing SEO rankings?

Yes. We preserve URL structures, 301 redirect any changed URLs, migrate meta data, update the sitemap, and submit to Google Search Console. Rankings may fluctuate briefly during the transition but recover within a few weeks.

Get Started

Let us fix your WordPress site

Describe the problem and give us admin access. We will assess the site and come back with a plan.

Tell Us About Your WordPress Problem

Hacked? Slow? Broken? Give us the URL, describe the issue, and we will take a look.

Prefer a quick chat? Call 0425 531 127. We answer the phone in Perth.