The do’s and don’ts of WordPress
If you’re using WordPress to create a website or blog, it’s important to keep a few key points in mind to make sure your site is successful. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when using WordPress.
DO:
Choose a good theme for your site.
When looking for a WordPress theme, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, the theme should be visually appealing and easy to navigate. It should also be responsive, meaning that it looks good on all devices, from smartphones to laptops.
In addition, you should look for a theme that is well-designed and optimized for search engines. This will help your site rank higher in search results and make it more visible to potential visitors.
Another important factor to consider is the level of support provided by the theme developer. Look for a theme that comes with good documentation and has an active support community, so that you can get help if you need it.
Finally, consider the features and flexibility offered by the theme. Does it have the functionality you need, such as customizable menus and widgets? Can it be easily customized to meet your specific needs? A good WordPress theme should offer a good balance of features and flexibility.
Use plugins to add functionality to your site.
When looking for WordPress plugins, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure that the plugin is well-designed and well-coded. Poorly designed or poorly coded plugins can cause problems with your site, such as slow loading times or security vulnerabilities.
There are thousands of plugins available for WordPress, which can help you do everything from adding a contact form to optimizing your site for search engines.
Keep your site up to date.
WordPress is an open source platform and as a result it is constantly being updated with new features and security fixes, so make sure you’re always running the latest version.
Open source refers to software that is developed and maintained by a community of volunteers, rather than by a single company or individual.
One of the benefits of open source software is that it is built and maintained by a large community of developers and users. This means that there are many people who are constantly reviewing the code, looking for bugs and security vulnerabilities, and suggesting improvements.
In the case of WordPress, this means that any potential security issues are quickly identified and fixed by the community. This is in contrast to proprietary software, where security issues may not be discovered until they are exploited by hackers.
Additionally, because WordPress is open source, it is transparent and freely available for anyone to review and inspect. This makes it difficult for anyone to hide malicious code or vulnerabilities within the platform.
Use strong passwords and security measures.
WordPress sites are a common target for hackers, so it’s important to take steps to protect your site. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and regularly scan your site for vulnerabilities.
You should only give access to your WordPress site to people who need it. This might include yourself, as the site owner, as well as any other users who need to be able to manage the site, such as editors, contributors, or moderators.
If you’re working with a team, consider creating user roles and permissions for each team member, so that they only have access to the features and functions that they need. For example, you might give an editor the ability to publish and manage posts, but not to change the site’s theme or plugins.
It’s also a good idea to regularly review the users who have access to your site, and remove any users who no longer need access. This can help to keep your site secure and prevent unauthorized access.
DON’T:
Use a default username.
Many WordPress installations come with a default username of “admin,” which is easy for hackers to guess. Make sure to choose a unique and difficult-to-guess username when setting up your site.
It’s also good practice to change your display name as this usually is your username as default.
To set the display name on WordPress, follow these steps:
- Log in to your WordPress account and go to the dashboard.
- In the dashboard menu, go to “Users” and then click on “Your Profile.”
- Scroll down to the “Name” section, where you will see the “Display name publicly as” field.
- In the dropdown menu next to this field, select the name you want to use as your display name. This can be your real name, a pseudonym, or a combination of your first and last names.
- Once you have selected your display name, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the “Update Profile” button to save your changes.
Your display name will now be shown on your posts and comments, as well as on your author page and other areas of your site where your name is displayed. You can change your display name at any time by following the same steps.
Ignore security updates
As mentioned above, WordPress is regularly updated with security fixes. Ignoring these updates can leave your site vulnerable to attack.
Use too many plugins.
While plugins can be useful, using too many can slow down your site and make it difficult to manage. Be selective about which plugins you use, consider disabling or deleting plugins that you don’t need, and be careful about adding new ones.
Neglect your site.
A successful WordPress site requires regular maintenance and updates. Make sure to keep your content fresh and engage with your audience to keep them coming back for more.
To put it briefly
Overall, the key to success with WordPress is to be mindful of security, keep your site up to date, and use the right tools to make your site as effective as possible. By following these tips, you can create a successful WordPress site that meets your needs and engages your audience.