Table of Contents
- WordPress Installation
- WordPress Dashboard Overview
- Customization
- Themes
- Plugins
- Posts and Pages
- Media Library
- Menus and Widgets
- WordPress Settings
- User Profile
- Social Media Integration
1. WordPress Installation
- Use a hosting provider like WPX (wpx.net) instead of wordpress.com
- Choose a plan (e.g., Business plan: $24.99/month for 5 websites)
- Follow the WP setup guide provided by your hosting service
- Enter your domain name or purchase one through the hosting provider
- Select your hosting location
- Complete the purchase and set up your account
2. WordPress Dashboard Overview
After installation, you’ll access your WordPress dashboard. Key areas include:
- Posts
- Pages
- Media
- Comments
- Appearance
- Plugins
- Users
- Tools
- Settings
3. Customization
Access the Customization menu:
- Go to Appearance > Customize
- Explore options like:
- Colors and Fonts
- Background
- Buttons
- Header
- Footer
- Page layouts
- Post layouts
- Archive layouts
4. Themes
To install or change your theme:
- Go to Appearance > Themes
- Choose from available themes or add a new one
- Activate your chosen theme (e.g., Cadence)
5. Plugins
Essential plugins to install:
- Rank Math (SEO)
- Cadence Blocks (if using Cadence theme)
- Cadence Starter Templates
- ShortPixel (image optimization)
- ThirstyAffiliates (affiliate link management)
- Wordfence Security
- WP Rocket (caching and performance, paid plugin)
To install plugins:
- Go to Plugins > Add New
- Search for the plugin or upload a ZIP file
- Click Install and then Activate
6. Posts and Pages
- Posts: For blog articles and regularly updated content
- Pages: For static content like About, Contact pages
- Categories and Tags: Use to organize your content
7. Media Library
Access and manage all uploaded images and files.
8. Menus and Widgets
- Menus: Create and edit your site’s navigation
- Widgets: Add functionality to sidebars and footers
9. WordPress Settings
Update the following settings:
- General Settings:
- Site Title and Tagline
- WordPress Address and Site Address (ensure both use HTTPS)
- Discussion Settings:
- Uncheck “Allow link notifications from other blogs”
- Uncheck “Allow people to submit comments on new posts”
- Permalinks:
- Set to “Post name” without a trailing slash
10. User Profile
- Go to Users > Your Profile
- Add your first and last name
- Set up a nickname and choose how to display your name
- Add your email and website URL
- Write an author bio
- Set up your Gravatar for your profile picture:
- Go to en.gravatar.com
- Create an account and upload your image
11. Social Media Integration
Even if you’re not actively using social media, create and link accounts for:
- YouTube
This helps establish your online presence and provides social proof for Google.
Remember to regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to ensure security and optimal performance.
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