Congratulations on taking the first step towards creating your website with WordPress! After successfully installing WordPress, you may wonder, “What’s next?” In this step-by-step guide, we’ll break down the 30 most crucial tasks you need to perform to set up your WordPress website for success.
The 30 Most Important Things to Do After Installing WordPress: A Beginner’s Guide
- Choose a Theme
After installing WordPress, the first thing you should do is select a theme. A theme is like the design template for your website. Choose one that aligns with your website’s purpose and looks appealing.
- Update Your Site Title and Tagline
Go to the Settings menu and update your site’s title and tagline. These are the first things visitors see and are important for SEO.
- Configure Your Permalinks
Permalinks are the URLs of your web pages. Go to Settings > Permalinks and select a structure that includes keywords related to your content.
- Delete Unnecessary Plugins
Remove any unnecessary plugins that come pre-installed with WordPress. Too many plugins can slow down your site.
- Install Essential Plugins
Install important plugins like SEO tools, security, and caching plugins to enhance your site’s functionality and performance.
- Set Up Google Analytics
Sign up for Google Analytics and connect it to your WordPress site. It helps you track your website’s performance and visitor behavior.
- Create Essential Pages
Create fundamental pages like the About Us, Contact, and Privacy Policy pages. These are crucial for a well-rounded website.
- Customize Your Website’s Header
Modify your website’s header to make it unique and appealing. This will help your site stand out.
- Optimize Your Media Settings
Set your preferred image sizes and compression settings to improve your site’s loading speed.
- Configure Your Reading Settings
Set the number of blog posts to display per page and decide whether you want a static homepage or a blogroll.
- Create a Custom Menu
Design a user-friendly navigation menu that helps visitors find their way around your site easily.
- Set Up Widgets
Widgets are small blocks that add functionality to your site’s sidebar or footer. Add widgets for recent posts, categories, and more.
- Create and Configure Categories
Organize your content into categories to make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for.
- Install a Backup Plugin
Don’t risk losing your hard work. Install a backup plugin to regularly back up your website’s data.
- Set Up User Roles
Define user roles and permissions for yourself and any collaborators on your website.
- Secure Your Website
Install a security plugin to protect your site from potential threats and hackers.
- Optimize Your Images
Compress and resize images to improve your website‘s performance and user experience.
- Configure Your Comments Section
Decide whether you want to allow or disable comments on your posts and set up comment moderation.
- Customize Your Website’s Footer
Make your website’s footer attractive and informative. Include essential links and copyright information.
- Set Up a Contact Form
Install a contact form plugin so visitors can easily reach out to you.
- Create an XML Sitemap
Generate an XML sitemap to help search engines index your site’s content more effectively.
- Set Up Social Media Integration
Link your social media profiles to your website to boost your online presence.
- Write High-Quality Content
Create valuable, informative, and engaging content that caters to your target audience.
- Optimize Your Content for SEO
Learn basic SEO techniques, like using keywords, meta descriptions, and alt tags, to improve your content’s visibility on search engines.
- Enable HTTPS
Secure your website with an SSL certificate (HTTPS) to protect user data and improve SEO.
- Monitor Your Website’s Performance
Use tools like Google Search Console to track your website’s performance and fix any issues.
- Set Up Email Marketing
Integrate an email marketing tool to build a subscriber list and engage with your audience.
- Implement SEO-Friendly URLs
Use descriptive and SEO-friendly URLs for your pages and posts.
- Regularly Update Your Website
Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins up to date to maintain security and performance.
- Backup and Security Audits
Regularly schedule backup and security audits to ensure your website remains safe and functional.
Conclusion
By following these 30 important steps, you can set up your WordPress website for success. Remember that building a successful website takes time and effort, so be patient and continue learning as you go. With dedication and these fundamental tasks, your WordPress site will be well on its way to achieving its goals.