WordPress is one of (if not the best) CMS platforms out there.
It offers many features for individuals looking to establish their authority through a blog and businesses looking to venture online.
But, just by installing WordPress, the work is not done. One needs to make the necessary changes to customize it according to their needs.
So, what are those changes that need your attention?
Well, we have prepared a list of seven of those changes.
So, let us look at them:
7 Essential Steps Every Business Needs to Take After Installing WordPress in 2021
1. Install contact forms
It would help create a clear communication channel between you and your users, and contact forms serve the purpose well enough.
Though WordPress does not come with an in-built contact form, you can use the WP forms plugin to do the job.
However, ensure that you keep the length of those contact forms short. Nobody likes filling up details like they did to get their passports.
Concise contact forms must contain two significant fields: name and email addresses. Even if you only ask for these two things in the forms, it would be enough information for you to contact them.
2. Install an SSL certificate
Though you have taken the initial step towards success by installing WordPress, you need someone to guard your website against bad guys.
And, there is no better security protocol than an SSL certificate.
A Secure Socket Layer or an SSL certificate is a security protocol that protects a website’s connection by encrypting the data transferred between two communicating entities.
SSL also protects sensitive data like your user’s identity, bank details, email, passwords, etc.
According to the Payment’s Card Industry, only websites with an HTTPS connection will accept payments online.
So, an SSL is an integral part of website security.
If you are looking for cost-effective yet premium SSL certificates, then you could consider investing in Comodo Positive SSL, AlphaSSL, or Rapid SSL. These offer unparalleled security at affordable costs and come from reliable CAs.
3. Change title, tagline, and time zone according to your brand
Next, you need to educate your visitors about your products and services.
Titles and taglines give an idea about your motto. On the other hand, time zones tell users which country you cater to.
So, create a crisp title and a concise tagline, telling users what your business is all about,
Suppose you are wondering how to alter that in your WordPress. Go to Settings > General and change the details.
4. Install SEO plugins
After you get done with your settings, the next thing to do is install an SEO plugin. SEO or Search Engine Optimization is a technique through which search engines can identify your website.
A robust SEO is needed to stand out among the top brands. Your site rankings will automatically go up when more visitors come to your site.
Plenty of third-party plugins like Yoast SEO come with plug-and-play systems.
After that, you can optimize your content by integrating keywords and image alt texts according to their suggestions.
5. Install a plugin for analytics
After you install WordPress, you must also know how to channelize your marketing campaigns to reap maximum profits for your website.
Analytics show you where your audience is, who they are, and how to reach out to them.
Analytics gives a direction to digital marketers as to where they need to press. When your content reaches out to the right audience, they will be persuaded to buy from you.
Moreover, the same analytics also tell you how many users are bouncing back from your websites and why they are doing so.
Thus, you can plan according to the analytics report.
6. Install a caching plugin
Caching entices the users to your website by serving cached copies of your website. At the same time, the entire website loads in the background.
Cached data immediately gets displayed on the user’s screen, wasting no time. Users tend to feel that the website is quick and reliable.
You can use third-party caching plugins and install them on your WordPress website. That way, users will consider you as a credible source, and your bounce rate, too, will come down.
7. Data backups are a must.
If you rely only on your hosting provider for data backups perhaps, you are setting your website up for disaster.
Though hosting providers claim to back up your data safety, it is best not to take their words for it.
Use cloud-based technology for creating extensive data backups. That way, you will always have an option against cybercriminals.
Moreover, it would be best if you tried backing up your data on multiple locations.
So, cloud-based data backups can be accessed from anywhere, unlike a hard drive that you must carry at all times if you want to access your data.
Final Thoughts
Installing a secure CMS platform like WordPress might give you an edge over other platforms, but your work is far from over.
You must also create robust internal systems so that your visitors can be content with what you have to offer.
To protect your visitor’s information, you must install security protocols like an SSL certificate.
Also, backup their data using cloud technology on multiple locations to avoid losing grip over all the sensitive data you have acquired from the users.
Intriguing titles, crisp taglines, informative images, clear time zones, and data caching are other important things you must keep in mind after installing your WordPress site.
So, follow these seven tips given above and customize your site.
