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Why You Must Clean Up Your WordPress Database from Time to Time

This blog post is contributed by a guest blogger, Sujain Thomas. Sujain Thomas is a website developer and she also has years of experience in data management. She has written extensively on how database management is necessary for improving a website’s performance.

Are you worried about the loading time of your website? Have you been hearing complaints that it takes too long for the site to load, and some of the pictures do not load even after waiting for several minutes? Then, surely there is a need for you to look into the performance of your website. The chances are that the bounce rate on your site is quite high since people do not like waiting around for too long. In fact, according to studies, people abandon a website in favor of another if it takes more than a few seconds to load.

Why is it essential to monitor the load time of your website?

Yes, just a few more seconds can have a significant impact on the search engine optimization and popularity of your website. It would not be wrong to say that for each second more your site takes to load, the abandon rate on your page rises. Kissmetrics states about 47% of consumers expect a website to load within two seconds or less. Moreover, 40% of consumers abandon a web page that requires over three seconds to load. Today’s websites are responsive and attempt to create a seamless experience for visitors across devices. Did you know that 73% of mobile internet users have said that they have encountered a web page that was too slow in loading? Are you sure, yours is not one of them?

You must be wondering if there is an easy way to shave a few seconds off the load time of your website. In case you are using WordPress for your site, and it has been running for only a few months, you are probably in luck. Cleaning up your website’s database might be the only thing you need to do to boost the load time of your site.

Why does your WordPress database require cleaning?

You are probably aware of the fact that WordPress uses PHP and MySQL PHP is a programming language is used for fetching and displaying the information that is stored in a MySQL database. As you are always making changes to your website, updating and editing data and design, there are probably a lot of elements in the back-end that you required at one point of time but do not anymore. These unnecessary items can slow your website, adversely affecting the load time. Clean up of every aspect starting from posts, comments, meta titles and descriptions, options, terms may be required to optimize your database.

Why must you backup your database?

Since your database has all the information that is required to run your website, experts from RemoteDBA.com suggest backing up your database before the cleanup. In case, you mistakenly delete something that you were not supposed to, you can end up the appearance and performance of your website. Thankfully, with the right plugin, taking your website’s backup is not a very difficult task. You must read up on WordPress plugins a bit to find out which ones suit your requirement the most.

Now that you know how the maintenance of your database is vital for the correct functioning of your website, you must chalk out a plan for database clean up from time to time. Assess the performance your website and figure out when is the time that you will be okay with the minimum bit of downtime. Since you are using WordPress, you can be sure that the downtime will be minimum.

April 4, 2024
Which Are The Best Premium WordPress Themes For 2018?
The new year has just started and it is high time to publish another round up post about the best premium WordPress themes for 2018. Last year itself, we have seen huge growth in terms of premium WordPress themes and I’m sure more are coming soon.

Let’s get right into discovering the best premium WordPress themes money can buy today, alright?

How To Choose The Best Premium WordPress Themes?

Choosing the best premium WordPress theme is not an easy task. On the outer layer, the process of choosing the best WordPress theme seems to be an easy task; but make no mistake as it can be a very complicated matter.

Here are the criteria that I use to determine the best premium WordPress themes:
- checkFeatures
- checkDesign / Layout
- checkSecurity
- checkSupport
- checkPricing
Are you ready to dive into the top and premium WordPress themes?

Thrive Themes

Thrive Themes is no doubt one of the top contender for the year. Managed by the Thrive team and lead by Shane MeLaugh, Thrive Themes had proved to be one of the most popular premium WordPress themes of all time.

For me, Thrive Themes is definitely the best premium WordPress theme for 2018. Want to know more about Thrive Themes? Click to read the Thrive Themes review.

Since the launched of Thrive Themes and products, people been moving their websites to the new, highly intuitive Thrive Themes.

And let’s be honest here. Website owners start using Thrive Themes not because of the super affordable prices — but it was because it comes with a truckload of awesome features.

Here are some to start with:
- Fast loading speed
- 10 beautifully designed demos (which are ready to be imported)
- One click installation
- check-square-oClean codes and secure
- check-square-oAll themes are created to focus on conversion
- check-square-oNo coding skills required
- check-square-oDrag and drop website builder included
- check-square-oMembership includes all Thrive products and plugins (that saves you over $1,000)
- check-square-oEasy integration with Google Analytics, social media accounts and many more!
For me, I would go for Thrive Themes anytime of the day because it comes with all the Thrive products. With those, I’m not only able to have a beautiful website, I do not need to purchase additional plugins just for marketing purposes!

Thrive Themes is best premium WordPress theme for you If you need a WordPress theme that is built for speed, conversion focused, readability and clarity.

Last but not least, the price tag for Thrive Themes is highly affordable. As low as $19 per month, you will enjoy everything Thrive Themes has to offer (both themes and plugins), as well as the 24/7 customer support if you need any assistance.

Click here to get limited time discount on Thrive Themes!

Avada

Avada is the best selling theme on Theme Forest for several years now. So, what makes Avada such a powerful premium WordPress theme?

For starters, Avada is a drag and drop WordPress builder. This means that you can build your website from scratch without using a single line of code.

Avada is often considered a heavy all-in-one website builder and thus, it may affect the website loading speed (some believes this). However, I’ve been using Avada for several years now and while the website loading speed is not entirely lighting speed, it is still very fast and a well designed website can load under 1.5 seconds.

Avada is one of the best premium WordPress themes because:
- 38 pre-made fully featured websites (and demos)
- Most advanced yet easy to use option system
- One click pre-made installer system and content
- check-square-oFree value packed lifetime updates
- check-square-o6 premium plugins included worth over $200
- check-square-oOver 240+ pre-made web page designs to choose from
- check-square-oOver 1,000 different options for easy customization
- check-square-oIntuitive, fast and fun visual builder
- check-square-oAffordable pricing (one time payment for 12 months support)
Avada is one of the best premium WordPress themes and at this point of time, it has over 350,000 people using Avada on a daily basis.

If you ever need a reason to buy Avada, here’s why — Avada’s Fusion Builder is as good as Thrive Architect! Click here to read Thrive Architect review 2018.

Avada is also very affordable at the price tag of $60 for the license and 12 months of support. Additional support can be added for only $18 per year.

Check out Avada’s Visual Builder here

X Themes

Introducting the X Theme. When the X Theme was first launch, it instantly became a heat and direct competitor to Avada. X Theme is powered by Cornerstone and it is often considered a great WordPress page builder for beginners.

X Theme is one of the best premium WordPress themes because everything is done 100% on the front end. This means that you can see and work on your site in real time, all the time.

One of the reasons I use X Theme is because it comes the a huge element library. This means that you have access to countless elements, templates and features to build your website from scratch. And the best part, without using a single line of code.

Yes, no coding skill is required.

You should consider X Theme if you are looking for:
- Super intuitive WordPress page builder
- Advanced controls and customization
- Countless demos with one-click installation
- check-square-oEvery growing premium plugins and extensions (they have 29 plugins at this point of time) that are free to use
- check-square-oMassive library containing the latest elements and features
- check-square-oSEO friendly website themes
- check-square-oFast loading website themes
- check-square-oAffordable pricing (one time payment for 12 months support)
A regular license of X Theme will cost you $59 and 6 months of support. Extended support of 12 months can be purchased at $17.63 if needed.

You should go for X Theme if you are tired of buying multiple plugins and testing them, as well as affordable pricing. The only downside of X Theme is X Theme loads slower than Thrive Themes and Avada (approximately 1.8 to 2 seconds on average). You can also read my X Theme vs Thrive Themes review.

Click here to see the full list of plugins included in X Theme

StudioPress

StudioPress is the theme that I am currently using on this blog. Now, make no mistake. I have did so much configuration on this theme and therefore, I wouldn’t want to put everything to waste and change to my favorite, Thrive Themes. As a disclaimer, I use all Thrive plugins except for the theme itself.

Now, what about StudioPress? I first bought StudioPress Pro Pack 6 years back. It was the best investment I had done for myself especially in the blogging space. Until today, StudioPress still remains as an excellent choice for many customers. At this point of time, I would say that StudioPress is best for you if you are selling web development (as a side hustle or a day job) and here are some reason why:
- Industry leading design framework
- 24 mobile-optimized (mobile-ready) HTML5 designs
- Rock-solid security
- check-square-oWorld-class support
- check-square-oInbuilt advanced SEO functionality
- check-square-oEasy to setup
- check-square-oSearch engine optimized
- check-square-oResponsive turnkey designs
- check-square-oUnlimited everything (pay one and get lifetime membership)
The only downside about StudioPress is that it doesn’t come with visual builder just like most of the other premium WordPress themes do. While some coding works are needed, it is relatively easy to customize Genesis themes (even for a beginner) due to the extensive knowledge base as well as support form the other users.

However, StudioPress is definitely one of the best premium WordPress themes for 2018 because it is very easy to use and highly affordable.

Find out more!

OptimizePress

Last but not least in the list of best premium WordPress themes for 2018 is OptimizePress. Let’s be really honest here. Some WordPress users may consider OptimizePress as a white elephant but I think it is still very effective.

OptimizePress is not the best premium WordPress theme for 2018 but it certainly has some juice left in it. For starters, it has been in the market for years (longer than most visual builders and themes) and some users are in love with it.

OptimizePress is best when it comes to creating simply yet highly effective landing pages with the pre-made templates below.

I want to be really upfront with you that even though OptimizePress is often considered old-school, it has several key factors that you should consider. Here’s a list of what you can do with OptimizePress:
- Landing pages
- Secure membership portals
- Sales and marketing pages
- check-square-oProduct launch funnels
- check-square-oFree and pain training and course pages
- check-square-oCreating authority blogs
- check-square-oWebinar registration page
- check-square-oMobile ready for all pages
- check-square-oOver 30 templates to choose from
- check-square-oOver 40 custom elements for customization purposes
- check-square-oReal-time LiveEditor system that offers WYSIWYG
- check-square-oActive market place to find for custom made templates and themes
Read more: What is the best OptimizePress alternative?

Click here for OptimizePress demo

Which Is The Best Premium WordPress Theme For 2018?

This is tough to answer, seriously. Personally, depending on what you need here are the options for you.

Overall best premium WordPress theme 2018: Thrive Themes

Best premium WordPress theme 2018 for features: Avada and X Theme

Best premium WordPress theme 2018 for money with core features only: StudioPress and OptimizePress
April 4, 2024
What Is The Best Drag And Drop Website Builder?

WordPress drag and drop

April 4, 2024
What Is The Best OptimizePress Alternative?
OptimizePress dominated the WordPress builder industry for a few good years. From the first version of OptimizePress to the all new, OptimizePress 2.0. I been using OptimizePress for over three years and I noticed it had slack in many ways.

I get it. You are looking for the best OptimizePress alternatives and in this post, I will list down some of the top OptimizePress alternatives that are affordable and powerful.

Afterall, you wouldn’t want to use an OptimizePress alternative that isn’t suitable for you, right?

A Quick Introduction to OptimizePress

Using OptimizePress for many sites, I can tell you that OptimizePress is quite good. It is a WordPress visual builder and it comes in two sizes:
- Standalone plugin (WordPress visual builder only)
- Complete set (both theme and visual builder)
You would be able to download the respective options based on your needs. On the side, OptimizePress users are also able to download the OptimizePress membership site plugin which is compatible with both the plugin and theme.

With the competition in the market space, OptimizePress had failed to win its customers. As a matter of fact, there are two things that lead to their failure:
- Pricing structure (limited use only)
- Outdated features on its WordPress visual builder
Seasoned OptimizePress users will find that OptimizePress is bulky and takes forever to load. The features are not ‘modernize’ in many ways and thus, it makes all the sense for others to look for OptimizePress alternatives.

Below is a list of the best OptimizePress alternatives.

1. Thrive Architect (WordPress visual builder plugin)

If you don’t need a complete theme, Thrive Architect is your best option here. For starters, it doesn’t cost you a bomb and you can easily start using it with just a few clicks of the mouse.

Thrive Architect is a member of the Thrive Themes products, and thus, you know that this plugin is more than just great.

Here’s a list of what Thrive Architect can offer:
- checkIntuitive interface
- checkClean and lightweight (website will loads faster)
- checkState-of-the-art technology and features
As a seasoned WordPress user, I hate using plugin that makes the website slow. With Thrive Architect, it loads extremely fast and it doesn’t burden your web server at all.

A huge upside using Thrive Architect as an OptimizePress alternative is the pricing structure. Unlike OptimizePress where it limits you to the number of websites you can use (three for the lowest tier), Thrive Architect allows you to use on as many sites as you wished!

Here are some resources on Thrive Architect:
2. Thrive Themes (if you need a theme + WordPress builder)

Thrive Themes is already a household name for many, including me. Thrive Themes is one of the top WordPress theme because it offers more than anything
April 4, 2024
Engage Your Audience Like Never Before: Unlocking the Magic of Quizzes and Surveys
Capturing the fleeting attention of your audience calls for more than static words and images. Interactivity is the new frontier, and the essence lies in mastering the art of conversation through content. Quizzes and surveys have emerged as the digital equivalent of a handshake and a smile, inviting your audience to step into a dialogue, transforming solitary scrolling into an exchange of ideas and opinions. It’s this dynamic interaction that drives deeper engagement, cements user relationships, and turns everyday content into experiences that resonate.

The Magnetic Pull of Interactive Content

Imagine walking into a party. You’re greeted with smiles, pulled into discussions, asked for your opinion – you feel part of the gathering. That’s what interactive content does. It welcomes users into a participatory role, morphing passive viewing into active participation and holds attention like nothing else.

Quizzes and surveys are perfect exemplars of this approach, doing everything from breaking the ice with light-hearted topics to plumbing the depths of user preferences. They’re not just tools; they’re conversation starters, and every answer given is a line in the dialogue between you and your audience.

The Art of Crafting Compelling Quizzes and Surveys

Speak Their Language

The secret to a successful quiz or survey is akin to a great conversation; it resonates when it speaks the language of the participant. Knowing your audience – their interests, their humor, their pain points – is key to crafting questions that spark their interest and elicit genuine responses.

Balance Is Key

Like the gentle rhythm of a well-balanced chat, your interactive content should find harmony between being too taxing and overly simplistic. Strive for a flow that feels natural and keeps participants curious about what’s coming next.

Instant Gratification

The payoff of your quiz or survey should mirror the satisfaction of a good talk – participants should come away feeling rewarded. Whether it’s a nugget of wisdom, a fun fact, or a personalized result, the closure is as crucial as the engagement.

Share the Moment

A conversation worth having is one worth sharing. Quizzes and surveys often possess a viral quality, compelling users to share their experiences and, by extension, your content. It’s this communal aspect that can amplify your reach far beyond the initial interaction.

Listen and Adapt

The most fruitful conversations evolve from mutual listening and adjustment. The data from your quizzes and surveys is a wealth of insight into your audience’s minds. Use it. Adapt your content, refine your products, and personalize your messaging in response to the voice of your audience.

Turning Data into Dialogue

The magic of quizzes and surveys is their dual function; while they engage, they also inform. They are the digital marketers’ crystal ball, revealing the desires and dispositions of your audience. This information is priceless, guiding everything from product development to personalized marketing strategies.

But the conversation shouldn’t end with data collection. Utilize the insights to mold your offerings, to speak directly to the emerging needs and wishes of your audience, and to keep the dialogue flowing.

Choosing the Right Partner for Your Conversation

Selecting the right tool to create interactive quizzes and surveys is much like choosing a good conversationalist; it should be engaging, insightful, and responsive. That’s where Thrive Suite shines. Known particularly for its Thrive Quiz Builder, it’s the go-to companion for anyone looking to engage their audience with interactive content.

What Makes Thrive Suite Stand Out?
- Intuitive Design: With Thrive Quiz Builder, you’re not just deploying quizzes; you’re crafting experiences with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
- Personalized Engagement: Customize to your heart’s content, ensuring your quizzes speak directly to your audience and reflect your brand’s personality.
- Insightful Analytics: Don’t just collect data; understand it. Thrive’s suite of tools offers analytics that illuminate the path to better engagement.
- Seamless Integration: Convert quiz-takers into loyal followers or customers with smart integration options for lead capture and audience segmentation.
Interactive content has rewritten the rules for audience engagement online. Quizzes and surveys stand at the forefront, not just as tools for engagement but as catalysts for building a community around shared conversations.

As we round off this exploration of engaging content, let’s not forget that the ultimate aim is to foster a relationship with your audience—a relationship that’s built on interaction, insight, and personal connection. Thrive Suite is your ally in this venture, equipping you with everything needed to transform your content from monologue to dialogue.

Ready to turn your content into a conversation? Let Thrive Suite help you make the next step towards meaningful engagement with your audience – because in the end, it’s not about how loudly you speak, but about how well you connect.

Try Thrive Quiz Builder here!
April 2, 2024
From Beginner to Expert: Building Your First Website with Thrive Suite
Creating your first website can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the world of web design and online marketing. However, with the right tools and guidance, the process can become not only manageable but also enjoyable. This is where Thrive Suite comes in – a comprehensive collection of WordPress tools designed to help you build and optimize your website for conversions from day one.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to build your first website with Thrive Suite, turning the complex process into a simple, streamlined journey from beginner to expert.

Step 1: Understanding the Basics of Thrive Suite

Before diving into building your website, it’s important to understand what Thrive Suite offers. This all-in-one toolkit includes:
- Thrive Theme Builder: A visual drag-and-drop theme builder.
- Thrive Architect: A powerful page builder for creating beautiful, conversion-focused pages.
- Thrive Leads: A lead generation plugin for building your email list.
- Thrive Quiz Builder, Apprentice, Comments, Ultimatum, Ovation, and Optimize: Tools designed to engage your audience, scale your content, manage interactions, and optimize conversions.
With these tools at your disposal, you’re equipped to build a website that not only looks professional but is also optimized for your business goals.

Checkout Thrive Suites here

Step 2: Planning Your Website

Every great website starts with a plan. Consider what you want your website to achieve and how it will serve your audience. Whether it’s an eCommerce store, a blog, or a business site, your goals will determine the structure and content of your website.
- Define Your Website’s Purpose: Clearly identify what you want your website to do. Is it to inform, sell, entertain, or educate?
- Outline Your Website’s Structure: Plan your pages and how they’ll be organized. Typical websites include a homepage, about page, services or product pages, a blog, and a contact page.
Step 3: Setting Up WordPress and Thrive Suite

With a clear plan in place, it’s time to set up WordPress and install Thrive Suite.
- Install WordPress: Most hosting providers offer an easy one-click WordPress installation process.
- Install Thrive Product Manager: Access your Thrive Suite account, download the Thrive Product Manager plugin, and upload it to your WordPress site. Activate it to manage and install the components of Thrive Suite.
Step 4: Building Your Website with Thrive Theme Builder

The beauty of Thrive Suite starts with Thrive Theme Builder. You’ll use this to create your website’s global header, footer, and page templates.
- Select Your Theme: Thrive Theme Builder comes with Shapeshift, a versatile, customizable theme. Begin with one of the pre-built site templates or start from scratch.
- Customize Your Site’s Foundations: Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize your header, footer, blog post layout, and more, aligning each element with your branding.
Step 5: Creating Content with Thrive Architect

With the structure in place, Thrive Architect helps you create stunning, conversion-focused content.
- Design Your Homepage: Focus on making a strong first impression. Use Architect’s drag-and-drop editor to add elements like hero images, calls to action (CTAs), and about sections.
- Build Key Pages: Apply similar principles to build out your about page, contact page, and any service or product pages, remembering to align each with your goals.
Step 6: Growing Your Email List with Thrive Leads

An email list is a valuable asset for any website. Thrive Leads simplifies the process of creating opt-in forms and deploying them on your site.
- Create an Opt-In Offer: Decide on a lead magnet that will provide value to your audience in exchange for their email.
- Use Thrive Leads to Deploy Forms: Choose from various form types (pop-up lightboxes, sticky ribbons, in-line forms) and place them strategically across your site.
Step 7: Launching and Testing Your Website

Before launch, review your website thoroughly. Test loading speeds, check for mobile responsiveness, and proofread content. Once satisfied, it’s time to launch.

After launch, use Thrive Optimize to run A/B tests on your key pages, striving for continuous improvement based on real user data.

Joining the Thrive Community

You’re not alone on this journey. The Thrive Suite community is an invaluable resource for sharing experiences, tips, and getting support as you grow from a beginner to an expert website builder.

Building your first website with Thrive Suite marks the beginning of a thrilling adventure in the online world. By leveraging the comprehensive tools and resources provided by Thrive Suite, you’re well on your way to creating a website that not only looks professional but also effectively achieves your business goals. Remember, the key to success is continuous learning and optimization. Welcome to the exciting journey of web creation!

Undecided? Click here for Thrive Suites Demo
April 1, 2024