In this blog post, we will discuss how to block a country in WordPress. There are many WordPress geo-blocking methods that you can use on your website, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages, the best method is going to depend on your needs as a business owner.
We have compiled some of the WordPress geo-blocking methods in this article, so you can make an informed decision on which WordPress geo-blocking method is best for your business.
Why you would want to block some geolocations?
This can be because WordPress is not allowed in certain countries, or maybe you are only looking to target WordPress users.
How does geo-blocking work?
The WordPress platform uses the user’s IP address location data and compares it with a database of country locations that have access to WordPress. This will determine whether or not their access has been blocked due to being outside of the WordPress supported area for usage.
WordPress Geo-blocking Methods
WordPress geo-blocking methods range from WordPress plugins to WordPress themes. There are WordPress plugins such as GeoIP and WP Limit Posts that can block certain countries, while there are also WordPress theme frameworks like the eCommerce Framework by WooThemes that have this functionality built into them.
WordPress Plugins
IP Location Block
Based on the abndned “IP Geo Block” plugin, IP Location Block lets you easily setup location block based on the visitor country by using ip and asn details. Protects your site from spam, login attempts, and zero-day exploits using “WP Zero-day Exploit Prevention” and “WP Metadata Exploit Protection“ methods.
WordPress Geo PLugin – CF Geo PLugin
CF Geo Plugin gives you tools to connect content, geographic data, geo labels, Google Maps to posts, pages, gadgets and custom layouts by utilizing straightforward choices, shortcodes, PHP code or JavaScript.
It additionally allows you to determine a default geographic area for your whole WordPress blog, do SEO redirection, spam insurance, WooCommerce control and some more. CF Geo Plugin assist you with expanding transformation, improve SEO, catch leads on your blog or presentation pages.
Shield Secuirty
Shield’s Automated Black List System will block the IP addresses of naughty WordPress site visitors after a specified number of offenses in a scalable, and fully automated way. Then, you can review, analyse and manage that particular IP address.
Other plugins such as GeoIP and WP Limit Posts that can block certain countries, while there are also WordPress theme frameworks like the eCommerce Framework by WooThemes that have this functionality built into them.
Custom Code
WordPress users can utilize WordPress’s .htaccess file or PHP function calls to block certain countries. This method is the most technical and requires WordPress knowledge. It will also require you to have access to your server files, which not all WordPress sites will allow their clients access to.
Themes
Theme frameworks like those found at Theme Forest have this functionality built into them. The WordPress platform uses the user’s IP address location data and compares it with a database of country locations that have access to WordPress. This will determine whether or not their access has been blocked due to being outside of the word press supported area for usage.
This can cost anywhere from $19-$89+ depending on which license rights you choose.
So what is the best method?
It really depends on what kind of WordPress geo-blocking method you are looking for. If it is a WordPress plugin, then the IP Location Block Plugin would be your best bet because of its price and functionality. However, if you want to have WordPress geo-blocking built into your theme framework or don’t mind paying more money, then use either a WordPress themes that have this feature as part of their design.
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