WordPress is the largest content management system in the world. As per stats, it powers over 37.8% of the websites. Simplicity and a no-coding-necessary approach to web development are what make it so powerful. Many agencies like UPQODE Website Design Services use WordPress to develop websites for their clients.
But there are inevitable mistakes users constantly make when building a website using WordPress. These can pose minor to significant threats to your website. In this article, learn about some of those common mistakes you must avoid for website design in WordPress.
Selecting the Wrong Platform
Perhaps the single biggest mistake users make when developing a website using WordPress is selecting the incorrect platform. You should know that there are two types of WordPress, which are:
- WordPress.com
- WordPress.org
One is fundamentally different from the other. WordPress.org is a self-hosting platform. You can use the WordPress files and host them anywhere you want — even on your local machine.
On the other hand, WordPress.com is a paid hosting service. You have to host your WP website and pay the fees, which can be higher. So make the distinction clear before selecting the right WordPress platform.
Not Categorizing Content
Categorizing is a great way to organize your content in a WordPress website. But not many users take advantage of this approach and leave the content unorganized.
In WordPress, you use categories, sub-categories, and tags to categorize your content. This helps both users and search engine bots to find your website easily. Without it, they’ll be left wandering on your website for relevant content. Thus, this will lead to a poor user experience.
When writing a blog post or adding content, you must create relevant categories. Open the Document Panel on the right-hand side and then the Categories tab. Here you will find all the categories and add more categories.
Not Optimizing Your WordPress Website
Creating a WordPress website is one part done. The other part is optimizing it for the web. This is known as SEO or Search Engine Optimization.
After you’ve built the website, the next step should be to optimize it. You can get started with optimizing the tags and description. Then, optimize the images and URL structure. Making these changes will significantly improve your rankings.
There are plugins like All in One SEO and Yoast that allow you to optimize your website. If possible, you should install and use them.
Not Setting Up Automatic Backup
Backing up your website is a critical task. And there are tools available to automate this necessary activity. But unfortunately, most WP users give this a miss. This, according to WordPress experts, is a mistake and can potentially lead to data loss.
When the system crashes or when there’s a problem with your hosting service, you’re at risk of losing your WP files. And they are in no way responsible for backing your files.
But with a backup in place, you can always restore your website. With automatic backup, you do not have to worry about taking backups. The tool will back up your files as you make changes.
Not Updating WordPress Regularly
WordPress releases updates now and then. The updated version is more secure, optimized for speed, and offers better performance. As a user, you should continually update your WordPress to the latest version.
After you update, you’ll see a significant performance improvement. And it will be less vulnerable to cyber attacks. But, you may also run into some compatibility issues when updating the version. This is especially true if you’re using plugins. You can visit WP resources for more information on updating WordPress.
Not Moderating Comments
On your WordPress website, anyone can leave a comment on your blogs. While this is an important feature, spammers often use it as a way to spam your website. These spam comments can annoy website users. Google may even penalize your website for hosting such spam comments.
Therefore, you must use the Comment Moderation tool to moderate the comments. Navigate into Settings > Discussion Page. Here it would help if you ticked on the “A comment must be manually approved” option. This would ensure only those comments approved by you or the admins will make it to the comment section.
Using the Wrong Plugins
Plugins extend the functionality of your WordPress website. It’s highly recommended that you use them to enhance the website. But it’s also essential to use the right ones. Right plugins are those that are verified and are trustworthy.
If not, they can compromise your website since they can access core WP files. Therefore, use only recommended plugins and steer clear from untrusted ones.
Anyone can create a WordPress website. But to build the best website, you should work with a WordPress design agency like UPQODE Website Design Services. Consult with the designers with your requirements and get yourself the best website.
Aftab Hussain is a versatile journalist who covers a wide range of news topics with depth and precision. His commitment to delivering unbiased reporting ensures that readers stay well-informed about the most significant events and stories shaping India and the world.