Millennials probably can’t imagine how people functioned without the internet. Even those who can remember when computers first came about have become so reliant on the World Wide Web that it would feel impossible to go back to the pre-internet days.

The internet has completely revolutionised our lives – how we communicate, do business and find information. In addition, the introduction of smartphones made it possible to be connected to the internet pretty much anywhere, at any time. And now the Internet of Things (IoT) is making the connection even stronger.

Wait, what is the Internet of Things?

If you haven’t heard of the Internet of Things, you need to pay close attention because it has the potential to significantly impact how we live and work. It describes a shift from only our phones, tablets and computers being able to access the internet, to a whole host of devices having the capability to go online. For example, your washing machine, lamp or coffee maker.

And although, to some, this may sound futuristic, it’s already started and it’s up to you to catch up with the teleological advancements that may soon affect your WordPress site.

Just as we currently optimise our WordPress websites for mobile devices, we may soon need to optimise our site for the Internet of Things.

With the shift to everything going online, interaction between websites and devices will become more complex and autonomous. The consequences of this development are certainly worth considering if you manage a successful business online.

The Internet of Things and WordPress

Let’s face it, it’s only a matter of time before IoT crosses paths with WordPress. In fact, combining IoT and WordPress is already possible today.

As WordPress moves towards becoming a fully-fledged application framework, WordPress Rest API has been created as a connector between WordPress and other software applications. It enables WordPress to communicate with other web properties no matter what programming language they’re written in.

It makes it easier to connect WordPress to other device and demonstrates how WordPress is positioned to benefit from the Internet of Things.

Benefits of Internet of Things and WordPress integration

Integrating WordPress with IoT can benefit your business by improving the user experience and engagement of your visitors. For example, it could generate a mobile notification if your website observes downtime in order to resolve the problem first hand. It could help you to manage and track the sales and customer support functions of your business by allowing you to observe and manage each support ticket and keep a track on which tickets are catered and who catered the most of them or keep a check on how many sales were made in a specific period of time.

The possibilities really will be endless and we’re currently just at the beginning of a rush towards a future where the majority of devices we interact with become internet-enabled.

Preparing for IoT integration

Although it may be a while before you need to worry about integrating your WordPress website for IoT, there’s a few things you can do in preparation. Security is, obviously, a major concern so you should start reviewing your website now to make improvements.

One of the best ways to keep your business and customer data safe is by layering your security. Adding firewalls is an essential aspect in stopping attackers before they can gain access to your critical information and obscuring the back end login page will help prevent brute force attacks.

Website maintenance or management should be an ongoing part of your business strategy. If you don’t have the time, resource or expertise to do this regularly, it’s worth hiring someone to manage your site on your behalf.

At WP Tech Support, we can handle all aspects of your site’s security to ensure you’re one step ahead when it comes to protecting your customers and yourself. Our great value monthly plans start from just £35 per month and can help you get ready for the future of the internet.