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10 THINGS TO DOAFTER THE
INSTALL
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+ Change the default admin
+ Edit the permalinks
+ Add categories, and change the default category
+ Activate Akismet
+ Install Google XML Sitemaps
…but before that first post
AFTER THE INSTALL
+ Activate Google Analytics
+ Upload and install your theme
+ Change your blog tagline
+ Install a backup plugin
+ Install SEO plugin
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Why?Because you want to publish your content under a more user friendly name. And no one is actually named admin…
How? Go to Users > Add new
Add a new user with admin rights
Log out of WordPress and log back in as your newly created Admin user
Delete default admin user
‘cuz who is this “admin” guy anyway?
DELETE THE DEFAULT ADMIN
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Why?Because www.yoursite.com/page name is much more SEO friendly than www.yoursite.com/?p=200
How? Go to Settings> Permalinks
As of WP version 3.3 you can click on button labelled ‘Post Name’
Or you can use a custom structure such as
/%category%/%postname%/
And not just ‘cuz you want them to look pretty!
CHANGE THE PERMALINKS
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Why?The out-of-the-box category is ‘Uncategorized,’ which, if it is a true reflection of your content, means you might want to rethink your strategy.
How? Go to Posts > Categories
Click ‘Edit ‘ under the Uncategorized category
Change the name to something appropriate for your site
Add more categories if you like
Set the default categoryGo to Settings > Writing
Set Default Post Category
Can ‘Uncategorized’ really be a category anyway?
ADD CATEGORIES AND CHANGE THE DEFAULT
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Why?Akismet comes bundled in with WordPress and is a great front line defense against the spambot
How? Go to Plugins > Installed plugins
Activate Akismet
Click on Link labeled ‘Sign up for an Akismet API Key’
Follow instructions – feel free to donate at the same time
Once done, check email for API key
From inside your WP Dashboard, click on the Akismet configuration page ( Plugins> installed plugins> Akismet
Enter API key where prompted, click on ‘ Update options’
Spambots are evil. That is all.
Activate Akismet
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Why?This plugin creates a sitemap that helps search engines index you quicker and
How? Go to Plugins > Add New
Search for ‘ Google XMl Sitemaps’ and install Plugin
Go to Settings> XML Sitemap and follow instructions and choose options to create your sitemap and the frequency of updates
Because, after all, you want to be found
Install Google XML Sitemaps
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Why?You’ll be able to measure the effectiveness of different posts on your site and generally get a good feeling about what your doing
How? Go to Plugins > Add New
Search for ‘ Google Analytics’ and install Plugin
Go to Google analytics and sign up for an account http://www.google.com/analytics/
Upon confirmation, you will receive a Web property ID ( starts with UA) copy that number into the plugin setting page and save changes.
Google Analytics is set up!
The BonusInstall Google Analytics Dashboard plugin for Google analytics right in Your WP dashboard
‘Cuz you want to know how many times you have been found
Activate Google Analytics
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Why?You want a look and feel that represents you as a business or an individual…and we all like good-looking websites
How? Go to Wordpress.org/extend/themes
Browse through the thousands of themes and find one that works for you..make note of the name or download it directly to your computer
From inside your WP dashboard go to Appearance>Themes> Install Themes and either upload the theme directly or search for it by name and install
Make sure you activate the theme after you install it
It’s all about the pretty things
Upload and install a theme
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Why?WordPress defaults to the tagline ‘Just Another WordPress Site’ and your site is not just another site.
How? Go to Setting> General
Browse through the thousands of themes and Change the tagline in the text box provided
Remember to save your changes!
You’re special, and so is your site
Change your blog tagline
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Why?A backup plugin will at the very least give you peace of mind when the time comes that something bad happens
How? Find a plugin you like
Install the plugin in the usual manner Plugins> Add New
Make sure you do a backup and schedule a backup to happen at a regular interval ( if that option is available)
I’m a fan of Backup Buddy by iThemes ( premium plugin but well worth the $)
‘Cuz starting over is never easy
Install a Backup Plugin
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Why?Make sure your content is optimized and easily searchable. The whole idea is to attract visitors and grow your traffic right?
How? Find a plugin you like
Install the plugin in the usual manner Plugins> Add New>Search
I am a BIG fan of Yoast SEO Plugin ( and not just because it’s free!)
Once installed view the options for the plugin you chose and start to get familiar with how it works
Make your words count
Install an SEO Plugin
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I think I’m all out of clever sub headings
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