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WordPress Website-Builder Checklist

WordPress Website-Builder Checklist

In this text, you will find an extensive checklist to help when building any website in WordPress. It’s a list we still use today.

  • ☐ Select hosting company. We recommend SiteGround
  • ☐ Purchase a hosting plan
  • ☐ Purchase a domain name
  • ☐ Set up new email(s)
  • ☐ Install the latest version of the WordPress software onto the server
  • ☐ Set up new domain in cPanel
  • ☐ Set up new database and user in cPanel
  • ☐ Change DNS on domain to the correct name servers
  • ☐ Delete existing website files
  • ☐ Remove the WordPress default content like the Hello, World! post
  • ☐ Delete the wp-config-sample.php file
  • ☐ Delete all plugins that come with WordPress
  • ☐ Install new plugins. We recommend the following free plugins:
  • ☐ Create a sitemap
  • ☐ Create a 404 page
  • ☐ Add any additional Admin users
  • ☐ Add a favicon
  • ☐ Add alt tags to all website images
  • ☐ Combat Spam if you are blogging, we suggest saving time using the plugin Akismet
  • ☐ Set up a contact form
  • ☐ Update your user profile
  • ☐ Make sure the time zone is correct
  • ☐ Track metrics with Google Analytics
  • ☐ Old website URLs are 301 redirected to new URLs
  • ☐ Add blog categories
  • ☐ Test website on multiple devices and browsers for responsivity; test Everything!
  • ☐ Remove or rename the “admin” username
  • ☐ Enforce strong passwords and good WordPress password security for all users
  • ☐ Delete any themes or plugins that are not active (be sure to keep one backup theme)
  • ☐ Build sitemap and ping search engines
  • ☐ Activate Google Analytics Dashboard for WP and add Tracking ID
  • ☐ Connect Google and Bing Webmaster tools
  • ☐ Confirm permalink settings are not Default for SEO purposes (we use Post Name)
  • ☐ Make sure there is only one <h1> tag and that it contains the page keyword
  • ☐ All images have alt tags with appropriate keywords
  • ☐ Use external and internal links in the content
  • ☐ Remove all Lorem Ipsum text
  • ☐ Proofread site copy for grammar and spelling errors
  • ☐ Check that all links are working correctly
  • ☐ 404 page is created or customized and working
  • ☐ Be sure all required licenses for images, fonts, plugins, etc. are on file
  • ☐ Change the site tagline
  • ☐ Images are correct and have been optimized for the web (resize all large images)
  • ☐ Header (or company logo) is linked to the homepage
  • ☐ Home Page or Landing Page load time is 2 seconds or less
  • ☐ All external hyperlinks open in a new tab
  • ☐ Social Media sharing and links are working
  • ☐ All forms are correct and submit to appropriate locations
  • ☐ Confirm admin email address is correct
  • ☐ Confirm time zone is correct
  • ☐ Turn on Site Visibility in Settings > Reading
  • ☐ Check for broken links on links and redirections
  • ☐ Share your site on social media
  • ☐ Check that theme and plugins are updated
  • ☐ You are “GO” for Launch!

If you are still on the fence as to which website Content Management System (CMS) to use, take a look at: Why you should use WordPress to build your websites

 

WEBSITE BUILDER RESOURCES

***WORDPRESS WEBSITE-BUILDING CHECKLIST***
https://wpprofession.com/the-greatest-wordpress-website-builder-checklist-ever/

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Ross Sessoms

Administrator