As a blogger, I understand the importance of a user-friendly and efficient content management system.
WordPress is one of the most well-known and popular CMS platforms, and it has been the backbone of my blog for a while now. However, it wasn't always easy for me to get the hang of it.
In this blog, I'll share with you my journey on the third time lucky how I conquered WordPress, and I will provide you with some valuable tips that will help you achieve the same.
My journey with WordPress
My first attempt at using WordPress was a complete disaster. I had no idea what exactly I was doing, and I ended up with a website that was an absolute mess.
I struggled with the platform for weeks, trying to figure out how to customize my website and make it look how I wanted it to.
But nothing seemed to work, and I was about to give up.
My second attempt was slightly better. I had a better understanding of WordPress, and I managed to create a website that looked decent.
However, I soon realized that my website was slow and not optimized for search engines. I was frustrated and knew I needed to do something about it.
Finally, on my third and last attempt, I was able to conquer WordPress.
I spent many countless hours researching and experimenting with different plugins and themes, and I was finally able to create a website that was not only visually appealing but also fast and optimized for search engines.
Third time lucky how I conquered WordPress
After struggling with WordPress for years, I finally conquered it on my third attempt. It wasn't easy, but I learned a lot along the way.
Here are some tips that I learned along the way that will help you conquer WordPress too:
1. Choose the right hosting plan
Choosing the right hosting plan is crucial when it comes to WordPress.
A good hosting plan should provide you with enough storage, bandwidth, and server resources to run your website smoothly. Here are four important factors to think about when choosing a hosting plan:
There are a lot of cloud hosting providers to choose from, but I recommend going with a reputable provider like Bluehost or SiteGround.
2. Install a responsive and SEO-friendly theme
Your website's theme is the first thing that visitors see when they land on your website.
Therefore, it's essential to choose a responsive and SEO-friendly theme. A responsive theme is one that adapts to different screen sizes, making sure that your website looks great on any device.
An SEO-friendly theme is one that is optimized for search engines, making it easier for search engines to crawl and index your website. Some popular SEO-friendly themes include Astra, GeneratePress, and Schema.
3. Use essential plugins
Plugins are a great and effective way to add extra functionality to your website.
However, it's important to use essential plugins only to avoid slowing down your website. Here are some essential plugins that every WordPress website should have:
4. Optimize your website for speed
Website speed is very crucial when it comes to user experience and SEO.
A slow-loading website can lead to a higher bounce rate and lower search engine rankings. Here are some ways to optimize your website for speed:
5. Use a content delivery network (CDN)
A content delivery network (CDN) is a network of servers that delivers cached website content to users based on their geographic location.
Using a CDN can help improve your website's loading speed by reducing the distance between the server and the user.
Some of the popular CDN providers are Cloudflare, MaxCDN, and Amazon CloudFront.
6. Regularly backup your website
Backing up your website regularly is essential to ensure that you don't lose your data in case of a hack or a server crash.
You can use plugins like UpdraftPlus or VaultPress to back up your website automatically. It's also good to store your backups offsite, such as on Dropbox or Google Drive.
7. Use Google Analytics in tracking your website's performance
Google Analytics is a great free tool that allows you to track your website's performance.
With the aid of Google Analytics, you can track important metrics like traffic, bounce, and conversion rates. You can also use it to identify your top-performing pages and optimize your website accordingly.
8. Keep your website up-to-date
Keeping your website up-to-date is crucial to ensure it remains secure and functional.
WordPress regularly releases updates that include security patches, bug fixes, and new features. You should also update your themes and plugins regularly to ensure that they are compatible with the latest version of WordPress.
9. Join a WordPress community
Joining a WordPress community is a great way to continue learning and growing as a website owner.
These communities provide an opportunity for you to connect with other WordPress enthusiasts, share experiences, and learn from others who have already conquered WordPress.
Here are some reasons why joining a WordPress community is a must for any beginner:
Here are some popular WordPress communities that you can join:
Joining a WordPress community is a great way to continue learning and growing as a website owner.
Whether you need help with a technical issue, want to share your experiences, or simply want to learn from others, there's a WordPress community out there for you.
Final thoughts
Conquering WordPress can be challenging, but it's worth it. With the right hosting plan, theme, plugins, and optimization techniques, you can create a website that looks great, loads fast, and ranks well in search engines.
Remember to back up your website regularly, track your website's performance, and keep it up-to-date. And don't forget to join a WordPress community to learn from others and share your experiences. Good luck!