What To Do Post-Launch: How To Care For Your Brand New WordPress Site
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The document provides guidance on maintaining a newly launched WordPress site, emphasizing the importance of regular updates, security measures, and content management for optimal performance. It covers key aspects such as domain registration, hosting, site settings, and the usage of themes and plugins. Recommended tools and services for maintenance, backups, and SEO are also highlighted to ensure website safety and functionality.
What To Do Post-Launch: How To Care For Your Brand New WordPress Site
- 1. What to do Post Launch: How to care for your brand new WordPress site Michele Butcher-Jones #WCSAC https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 2. Who is Michele Butcher-Jones • Lead Support Specialist at Thrive Agency • Master Geek at Can’t Speak Geek • Lead Org for So. Illinois WP Meetup • Beginners and advanced WP Instructor https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 3. Websites are not a build and forget type of projects. https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 4. What does all of this mean? https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 5. Domains • Your domain is the URL or name you use for your site • It is purchased through a domain registrar like GoDaddy or NameCheap. • Your domain is connected to your site’s hosting IP so when someone types in the domain, it will show you your site from the files and database that lives in your hosting https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 6. Hosting and Servers Info • A hosting company rents you a part of one of their servers (or a whole server depending on plan) to hold your websites files and databases. • FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a way for you to look up your files for editing, adding or deleting without having to use your hosting login https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 7. Logging in for the first time • You will need your username and password • The default login page isYourSite.com/wp- login.php • Once logged in, it will take you to your dashboard which is found atYourSite.com/ wp-admin @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 8. Site Settings • There are many options that you will need to get familiar with in the Settings area. • Please check that your permalinks are set correctly, your site is being seen by search engines, and the time is set correctly to start. • It is always a good idea looking through all of the site settings to get a better understanding of the layout @michele_butcher https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 9. Your Media Folder • Your media folder is what holds your images, videos, PDF,s and sharables you keep on your site. • Each media item will have its own unique URL that you can use anywhere on your site to show that particular media item. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 10. Post vs Page • A page is something that typically stays the same on your site. • Examples of pages are the home page, contact us page, and the about page. • A post is where you share your news and/ or stories that is always being added to. • You can think fo them as mini-chapters in a book or a news feed. Posts are what makes a blog site a blog site. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 11. What is a theme? • Themes are what makes your site “pretty” • It is what shows the colors and layout of your site. • One can use a pre-built theme out of the box, customize a pre-built theme, or have one custom built. • A child theme is a set of files that adds special code to an existing theme so when the parent theme has an udpate, you will not lose your custom coding when updating it. @michele_butcher https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 12. What is a plugin? • Plugins assist with the functionality of a site. • Plugins can be unitaskers or multitaskers • The more plugins you have on your site, the slower it can become. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 13. Popular Plugins • Jetpack - It is an all in one plugin with many features ranging from help with social media to image optimization and backups. • Akismet - It helps to keep spam comments at bay. • Yoast SEO - For your SEO needs • WP Rocket - It helps make your site perform better • Gravity Forms - For any forms on your site. @michele_butcher https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 14. SEO SEO Plugins can aid in your ranking on search engines • Yoast SEO • All in One SEO Search Engine Optimization is the magical force that helps your site rank on search engines which make your site easier to find. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 15. Have a content schedule if you run a blog on your site. Regular content posting will help with SEO, give you more Google love and keep your clients/customers/ readers interested in your website. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 16. Update the site as soon as any information changes So often a website will have incorrect hours of operation, sometimes they move and do not update information, or change product and do not update their site.This can cause a drop in business. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 17. What do I need to do with my site to keep it safe? @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 18. Update! This is the single, most important task for maintenance. Many updates are due to security vulnerabilities being found and fixed. It is easier and cheaper to have a maintenance schedule than it is to clean a hacked website. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 19. Security • Use a security plugin such as iThemes Security, SiteLock,WordFence or enable Brute Protect and Vault Press on Jetpack • Use a virus scanner like Sucuri’s Site Check or VirusTotal • Regularly check your website for anything out of place • Regularly Google your site information • Use Google Webmaster Tools @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 20. Backups • Nothing is ever permanent if you have a backup • Always backup before you make changes • Keep the backups somewhere other than the server • Some of the hosting companies have this feature built in • Popular Plugins • BackupBuddy, UpDraftPlus, BackWPUp @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 21. Maintenance Helping Plugins • Jetpack Site Management • iThemes Sync • ManageWP • Infinite WP • WP Remote • WP Dash @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 22. Maintenance Service Companies • Thrive Agency • WPValet • MainWP • 13 Core • Maintainn • Satellite WP • WP Security Lock • WPMaintainer @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 23. Always pay attention to the front end of your website You know your site the best and with regular checking of the front end, you will spot differences quicker. Updating can change how things look on the front end of a site and go unnoticed if not inspected. @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 24. The security side of not maintaining your site • Without updating core, plugins and themes the site can become vulnerable • A site can be hacked and be used for various different bad things • When you do go to update after many versions have been released, it could break your website • You can lose all of your site’s files and data @michele_butcher https://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 25. The business side of no maintenance • Loss of traffic and interest in the site which can lead to less business • SEO drops significantly when a site does not receive regular updating of information and adding content • Could have old, outdated information, products or services that could confuse customers @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 26. Want to learn more? • codex.WordPress.org • WordPress.tv • WPBeginners • WP Sessions • WP 101 Check out the internet! There are many sites that can help you! @michele_butcherhttps://mlb.pw/wcsac19
- 28. Thank you!!! Michele Butcher-Jones CantSpeakGeek.com ThriveAgency.com @michele_butcher Slides can be found at https://mlb.pw/wcsac19