If you are looking for a quick and easy way to build a website, you may have thought about using WordPress. The entire point of WordPress is to make it possible for people to build websites without needing any coding knowledge. Even though it is possible to build a website in just a few minutes, flexibility and versatility can also make it easy for people to make some mistakes.
Even though all these mistakes will have an impact on your website, some are bigger mistakes than others. Here are 10 of the most common mistakes you should avoid when building a website.
1. Using Too Many Plugins on Your Website
One of the most common mistakes people make with WordPress is using too many plug-ins. One of the major advantages of using WordPress is that it is relatively easy to add plugins to your website. A lot of them can significantly improve the experience of your users, which can make a major difference in your online presence.
At the same time, the ease with which you can add plugins can also lead to some significant issues. There is a wide range of quality when you look at plugins, and not all of them run well. Some of these might not be coded properly, so they can significantly slow down your website. They may also introduce HTML errors, which can frustrate your users, in addition to harming your search results rankings. You need to think carefully about which plugins you use, and you must make sure not to use too many of them.
2. Not Thinking About the Name of Your Website
Lots of people want to get their websites up and running as fast as possible. Therefore, you may not put a lot of thought into your website name. Keep in mind there is never a second chance to make a first impression, and the name of your website is going to be responsible for that first impression. It should be a reflection of your business, your product, or your niche. If you need to change the name of your website down the road, you will have to jump through a few hoops. Spend a few extra minutes selecting the right name now and get off to a good start with your online presence.
3. Not Optimizing Your Pictures and Videos
Another major advantage of using WordPress is that you can quickly add images and videos to your website. Because that camera in your pocket is very powerful, you can take beautiful photos. Then, you might want to add them to your website. Unfortunately, this also leads to some serious mistakes, such as not optimizing your images.
When you take a picture using your Android or iPhone, the image is typically significantly larger than it has to be on your website. Even though high-resolution images are great for printing, they aren’t great for uploading to your website. If you upload them directly to your media library on WordPress, they will be stored as full-size images. Full-size images can significantly slow down your website, meaning that your users do not have the best experience.
4. Not Customizing Your WordPress Theme
When you take a look at the starting theme from WordPress, you will probably think it looks pretty good. It has been designed to be a versatile option, but it is definitely not the best option for your website. You don’t want to stick with the default theme, as you don’t want your website to look like every other website out there.
If you take a look at the design area, you will see an option to customize your theme. There are multiple options available, and you should explore your choices. Think about which theme adequately reflects your brand identity and see if you can customize it to give your website a unique look.
5. Not Updating Your Website
You need to make sure that you update your website regularly. Even though the plugins and themes on your website might work right, for now, they are not necessarily going to work right in the future. They could be out of date, which can lead to devastating consequences. Sometimes, updates are rolled out because certain plugins are not operating properly. In other cases, an important path might need to be installed. There can also be significant security holes that you need to address.
You need to give your users the best experience possible, and you need to make sure you protect your confidential information. If there is an update available for your website, you must make sure you install it. Even though it can be frustrating to update your website, it can leave you vulnerable to some serious issues. Make sure you update your website regularly.
7. Not Thinking About Your Cybersecurity Issues
As alluded to above, there can be some significant security issues that might have to be addressed using software updates. There are other security issues that you need to think about as well. Even though there is nothing that will make your website invincible, you need to make it as hard as possible for hackers to get around your defenses. Typically, hackers analyze millions of websites, looking for vulnerabilities that can be easily exploited.
Some of the tips you should follow to improve your cyber security measures include:
- Do not use a default username. If you use a default username, you make it easier for hackers to get into your system.
- Make sure you lock down your administrative area. You need to limit access to your admin area to a specific IP, which will make it harder for hackers to access.
- Think carefully about the server you use. Even though your website might be secure, the server on which it is hosted is not necessarily safe.
Think carefully about your security measures if you want to protect your website.
8. Not Using Scheduling Features
If you want people to visit your website regularly, you need to share new content from time to time. You may find the best time to share posts, but what if you aren’t available to hit the button on your website? You can schedule your posts to go live at a later time. For example, if you have an entire month’s worth of content that you are ready to share, you may want to spread it out over the next 30 days. You can select which posts you want to go live at different times, helping you spread out your content schedule to meet the goals of your visitors.
9. Not Having a Backup Schedule
If you have a website, you need to have a backup. You need to take advantage of automated backups, as it makes it easy for you to revert changes that you may regret down the road. Of course, it can also make it easier for you to restore your website in the event of a hack.
Even though you must take advantage of backups, you need to think about your backup schedule. Your backup schedule is going to be dependent on how frequently you modify your website. Ideally, your backup system should run weekly, but if you spend time on your website every day, you might want to back it up more often than that. You may want to back up your website to the cloud. That way, you can expedite the restoration process, and you know you always have a clean copy of your website on the cloud.
10. Not Working with an Expert
Finally, even though WordPress has made it easy for just about everyone to set up a website, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone will be good at it. If you want to get the most out of your website, you should work with a professional who has a lot of experience with WordPress. That way, you can take advantage of every feature provided by the program, and you can develop a strong online presence that will make a mark in your field.
If you are looking for help with your digital marketing campaign, including your website, it would be our pleasure to assist you.
Work With Search Control to Maximize Your Online Presence!
Your website is your digital storefront, and it is important for you to get the most out of your online presence. In addition to having a strong website, you need to think about digital marketing. That is where we can help you. We are Search Control, and we have a tremendous amount of experience working with clients across all industries. It would be our pleasure to help you with your digital marketing needs as well. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team and let us help you get the most out of your online presence.