LazyKiwi

Setting up a WordPress site – according to ChatGPT

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by

DBB
in

When setting up a new WordPress site, there are several key considerations to ensure your website runs smoothly and effectively:

1. Choose the Right Hosting Provider

  • Web Hosting: Select a reliable hosting provider based on your website’s expected traffic. Popular choices include Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine.
  • Server Type: Choose shared hosting for smaller sites, or VPS/dedicated hosting for larger, high-traffic sites.
  • Performance: Ensure the host provides fast load times, good uptime, and reliable customer support.

2. Domain Name

  • Easy to Remember: Choose a domain name that is short, memorable, and relevant to your content.
  • Brand Alignment: It should reflect the purpose of your website.
  • Extensions: Opt for a common extension like .com, .org, or .net, depending on the nature of your site.

3. Install WordPress

  • Most hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation to make setup easy.

4. Select a Theme

  • Responsive Design: Ensure the theme is mobile-friendly and looks good on all devices.
  • Customization: Choose a theme that allows customization without heavy coding.
  • SEO Optimized: Pick a theme that’s built with SEO in mind, to help your site rank better on search engines.
  • Speed: Avoid themes that are too feature-heavy, as they may slow down your site.

5. Install Essential Plugins

  • SEO Plugin: Yoast SEO or Rank Math to optimize your site for search engines.
  • Backup Plugin: UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy for regular backups.
  • Security Plugin: Wordfence or Sucuri for added protection.
  • Caching Plugin: WP Super Cache or W3 Total Cache to improve loading speed.
  • Analytics: Google Site Kit or MonsterInsights for tracking traffic and engagement.
  • Contact Forms: WPForms or Contact Form 7 for user engagement.

6. Set Up Permalinks

  • Adjust the permalink structure to make URLs SEO-friendly (e.g., domain.com/post-title instead of ?p=123).

7. Optimize for SEO

  • Install an SEO plugin (like Yoast) to optimize pages and posts.
  • Ensure you have meta descriptions, titles, and alt text for images.
  • Use keyword research to target relevant search terms.

8. Create Essential Pages

  • Homepage: This serves as the introduction to your site.
  • About Page: Tell visitors who you are and what your site is about.
  • Contact Page: Include a form or contact information.
  • Privacy Policy/Terms of Service: Necessary for transparency and legal compliance.
  • Blog/Article Section: If you’re planning to post regularly, have a section dedicated to it.

9. Secure Your Site

  • SSL Certificate: This ensures your site is secure and builds trust with users (many hosts offer this for free).
  • Login Security: Use strong passwords, limit login attempts, and consider two-factor authentication.

10. Optimize Site Speed

  • Image Compression: Use plugins like Smush or TinyPNG to compress images.
  • Minify CSS & JavaScript: Tools like Autoptimize or WP Rocket can help with this.
  • Use a CDN: A Content Delivery Network (like Cloudflare) will speed up global loading times.

11. Mobile Optimization

  • Ensure that your theme and plugins work well on mobile devices. Google favors mobile-friendly websites in search rankings.

12. Content Strategy

  • Have a clear plan for the kind of content you’ll post, its frequency, and its purpose. Plan for categories and tags that help organize your posts.

13. Testing and Debugging

  • Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix to test your site’s speed and fix any issues.
  • Test the site on different browsers and devices to ensure compatibility.

14. Set Up Google Analytics and Search Console

  • Track your traffic, user behavior, and performance with Google Analytics.
  • Submit your sitemap to Google Search Console for better indexing and visibility in search results.

15. Legal and Compliance

  • GDPR: If targeting users in Europe, ensure you comply with GDPR rules, such as adding a cookie consent notice.
  • Privacy Policy: Clearly state what data you collect and how it’s used.

By focusing on these key elements, you’ll set a strong foundation for your WordPress site.

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