WordPress Blog Optimization Check List
So you have a newly installed WordPress blog but now what? Well to get the most from it you should check a few things to make sure it is configured correctly and optimized.
Contrary to what you may have read or been told, WordPress or blogging is not going to be replaced or rendered obsolete by other content management systems any time soon. Yes some systems allow you to easily add pages to your site and make site-wide additions or tweaks within one central location as WordPress does. But when it comes to the blogging community and the viral traffic generation it brings, WordPress and blogging in general, will continue to grow and evolve.
Having a nice website that is easy to control is only part of the equation. Correctly using an optimized blog as part of your site is probably the easiest way to generate traffic to funnel into that nice site you have been working on.
Here are a few things to look for in a WordPress blogs dashboard to make sure it is properly configured and optimized.
From within the WordPress dashboard click Options, check the title of your blog. Is it correct and a unique name? Under that is the blogs Tagline, if it is this: ‘Just another WordPress weblog’ then; Your Blog Is Not Optimized.
Next click Options then Permalinks. If the default option is selected; Your Blog Is Not Optimized.
Next click Manage, Posts and then click edit next to a post to open it. Scroll down below the write post box and see if you can find the upload area that looks like this:
If its not there and you see an error message; Your Blog Is Not Optimized.
If you have an upload option available try to upload a small graphic file with it. If you get a failed to write to disc or any other error message; Your Blog Is Not Optimized.
Next click Options, Plugins, Check for a few important plugins like:
- All in One SEO
- Sitemap
- Subscribe to Comments
- Smart Update Pinger
- WordPress Backup
- WordPress Stats
- Some type of social bookmarking plugin.
The most important plugin is for SEO. If you don’t have any plugins installed other than Akismet and Hello, then; Your Blog Is Not Optimized.
This post is just a reality check and not a guide on how to optimize your WordPress blog. If you use some of the resources here on my site and online you will find all the information you need to optimize your WordPress blog.
You can start here: WordPress Optimization Guide
I can optimize your blog for a very reasonable fee depending on what you want done check out: WordPress Optimization Service
WordPress Guide
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Tagged with WordPress Guide
Related Posts
4 Responses to “WordPress Blog Optimization Check List”
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment
If you have a question about your blog please leave a link to it. Please don't ask questions like "Why don't my blog work right?" and expect an answer.Two links or less are welcome, any more and your comment will be spammed! Nofollow has been disabled, all comments are moderated and will not appear until approved. Please submit only once.
XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
Or just copy the example below and change your details.
Example - <a href="http://www.YourSite.com">Title Of Site</a>
Hi Jeff,
You always bring us valuable information.
Thanks for sharing.
Good checklist! I ´m also using Wordpress and Í like how easy it can be optimized for best performance.Thanks for sharing these tips, I shall return soon for more. -Tom
Hi Jeff,
You’re right, it is so important to optimize your blog properly if you intend to monetize it.
I personally use Semiologic Pro which comes with all the plugins already installed, plus a load more!
It’s a bit pricey for a beginner, but definitely worth considering.
~ Peter Tremayne
Hi Jeff,
Very helpful tips as always. I have done a lot of SEO, but I am fairly new to Wordpress so it is very useful to read your checklist!
Thanks,
Suzanne