WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems around. And justifiably so. WordPress itself, however, also encompasses tens of thousands of free plugins that are available for this purpose. With WordPress, you can create the best-looking and most efficient site imaginable in minutes. Whether running a large business site or just blogging, WordPress allows you to customize your website to meet your long-term goals.
But once the installation is done, you shouldn’t dive right into creating content or publishing pages. There are some key steps you need to take first to make sure your site is secure, optimized, and ready to go. At WebDzinz, based in Oshawa, we help businesses and individuals get the most out of WordPress. Here’s a straightforward guide to get started on the right foot after installing WordPress.
Step 1: Tighten Up Security
Generate Authentication Keys
WordPress uses authentication keys and salts to keep your log in sessions secure. These keys encrypt information stored in your cookies, which makes it harder for hackers to mess with your site. If you skip this step, you’re leaving the door wide open for potential attacks.
To do this:
- Visit this link to generate new authentication keys.
- Open the wp-config.php file in a text editor.
- Replace the default keys with the ones you just generated.
Set Up Backups
Backing up your site isn’t optional; it’s essential. Whether it’s a server crash or a botched update, backups are your safety net. Plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy are lifesavers and can create regular backups for you. Trust us, restoring from a backup is way easier than starting from scratch.
Step 2: Optimize for SEO
Edit Your Permalink Structure
By default, WordPress gives your pages and posts weird URLs like this:
http://yoursite.com/?p=123
That’s not great for SEO or for your visitors. You’ll want to change it to something more descriptive, like the post name. Go to Settings > Permalinks, and choose the “Post Name” option. It’ll make your URLs look cleaner and more professional, like this:
http://yoursite.com/your-post-title/
Install Google Analytics
If you’re serious about growing your site, you need to know what’s working and what isn’t. Google Analytics lets you track how many visitors your site is getting, where they’re coming from, and what they’re doing while they’re there. Sign up for Google Analytics, grab the tracking code, and use a plugin like MonsterInsights to integrate it with your WordPress site.
Block Search Engines from Indexing Core Files
Search engines can accidentally crawl and index your WordPress core files, which isn’t ideal. To prevent this, create or edit your robots.txt file in your root directory and add the following lines:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Disallow: /wp-includes/
Disallow: /wp-content/themes/
Disallow: /wp-content/plugins/
Step 3: Make Your Site Look Great
Choose a Theme
The default WordPress theme is fine, but it’s a bit… boring. Head to Appearance > Themes, and pick something that fits your brand. There are thousands of free and premium themes to choose from, so take your time and find one that matches your vision.
If you’re running a business in Oshawa, consider something clean and professional to appeal to local customers. Not sure where to start? WebDzinz can help you pick the perfect theme!
Set Up Caching
A fast site keeps visitors happy. The plug-ins, such as W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache, can accelerate your site by saving static copies of the pages It lightens the server load and makes operation for your users smoother.
Update Your Profile
Be sure and update your WordPress profile with your name, bio, and contact information. Not very much work, but it will inspire confidence among readers about who is behind the curtain — and in turn make them more likely to listen.Change the default admin username and use a strong password to secure your account.
Step 4: Add Essential Features with Plugins
WordPress plugins are like apps for your website—they add extra functionality. Here are some must-haves:
- Yoast SEO: This plugin helps optimize your content for search engines. It’s a favorite among WordPress users for good reason.
- W3 Total Cache: Improves site speed by caching static content.
- Contact Form 7: A simple, flexible plugin for creating contact forms.
- Smush: Compresses images without losing quality, which helps your site load faster.
- Wordfence: Provides security features like malware scanning and firewall protection.
Step 5: Fight Spam
Install an Antispam Plugin
Comment spam can get out of hand fast. Plugins like Akismet or Antispam Bee can filter out spam comments, saving you the headache of deleting them manually.
Step 6: Test and Tweak
Before you officially launch your site, spend some time testing it. Here’s what to check:
- Mobile Responsiveness: Make sure your site looks good on phones and tablets.
- Browser Compatibility: Test your site in different browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc.).
- Page Speed: Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to see how fast your site loads.
If something’s off, tweak it now rather than later.
Step 7: Keep Things Updated
WordPress is constantly evolving, and so are plugins and themes. Outdated software is one of the main reasons sites get hacked. Set a schedule to regularly update your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins.
Why WebDzinz?
If all of this sounds a bit overwhelming, don’t worry—you’re not alone. At WebDzinz, we specialize in WordPress development for businesses in Oshawa and beyond. Whether you need help setting up your site, securing it, or optimizing it for SEO, we’ve got you covered.
With years of experience, we understand the unique needs of local businesses and can tailor your WordPress site to stand out in Oshawa’s competitive market.
Conclusion
Setting up WordPress is only the beginning but takes time off securing your site, integrating SEO optimization and adding essential features will save you headaches later and sets you up for success.
If you’re ready to build a professional, user-friendly WordPress site, contact WebDzinz today. We’ll walk you through the steps necessary to produce a site that not only looks beautiful but works like a dream as well.