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:
- ☐ For professional Themes: Envato Elements
- ☐ For Contact Form builder: Formidable
- ☐ For an easy Page Builder: Elementor
- ☐ For simple full website Backup: UpdraftPlus
- ☐ 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
***BEST HOSTING***
https://wpprofession.com/siteground
https://wpprofession.com/bluehost
***BEST THEMES***
https://wpprofession.com/Envato
https://wpprofession.com/kadencewp
***BEST PAGE BUILDERS***
https://wpprofession.com/beaverbuilder
https://wpprofession.com/Elementor
***BEST FORMS***
https://wpprofession.com/formidable
***BEST BACKUP & SECURITY***
https://wpprofession.com/updraftplus
***BEST YOUTUBE SEO***
https://wpprofession.com/tubebuddy
***BEST WIDGET MANAGEMENT***
https://wpprofession.com/widgetoptions
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