Tag Archives: WordPress tips

WP 101: 4 Things Every WordPress Beginner Gets Wrong

By Jacob Crawford

Sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know – but what you don’t know could be hurting your website or your engagement. Basic WordPress points will be covered in the WordPress 101 Workshop. For now, here are a few points to help you make the most of your WordPress site.

Overloading your site with too many plugins

Studies show that users spend fewer than three seconds waiting for web pages to load. And while it’s tempting to load your site with forms, trackers, extra styles, and integrations, each of those programs and sheets cost valuable load time.

Jetpack, WooCommerce, and Yoast are maybe the best plugins for a beginner. WooCommerce manages your e-business, Yoast checks your SEO, and Jetpack takes care of pretty much everything else from social media to comments.

Paying for premium services you don’t need (yet)

Grow organically with your site. While it’s easy to upscale, it’s difficult to downscale. There’s no need to drop money on an expensive theme when you don’t have the content or infrastructure to support it.

If you’re hosting through WordPress.com, seriously consider your goals and scope before investing in a Premium or Business plan. If you’re building a portfolio site, the Personal plan is probably best. If you’re a t-shirt company with a couple dozen employees, a Business plan is probably more your speed.

Picking a theme that doesn’t reflect your content

This seems self-evident, but you’d be surprised how many WordPress beginners choose themes based on previews. Instead, consider how the theme will highlight your content. If you’re a photoblogger, consider a theme with plenty of thumbnails and galleries. If you’re a writer, pick a theme that highlights your words.

Don’t waste your time trying to match your content to your theme: match your theme to your content.

Friends don’t let friends blog alone

WordPress is a community. And it’s full of people who love helping beginners. Get involved with local MeetUps and other events. It always helps to have a second set of eyes look over what you are doing.

At WordCamp Birmingham, we’re dedicated to helping people like you get started. Attend our WordPress 101 course, where we walk you through the basics one step at a time. Or stop by and see us at the Happiness Bar, where specialists and enthusiasts like you congregate help others get the most from their WordPress sites.

Interested in learning more? Snag your tickets to WordCamp Birmingham today!

Tickets

Want to see the full schedule?

Schedule

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Determine the Best Post Length – a #WPYall Quote

One of the top asked questions about content concerns the length of posts. The great news for those not happy with the current trend is that it’s a lot like Alabama weather. It’s going to change if not by this afternoon then by tomorrow.

In other words, the length of your post should not be determined by the going trend.

“If nobody is listening then stop talking!”

 

 

WPYall quote - length of posts

 

Words can be tough enough to come by. Avoid wasting your words just creating filler.

Just Tell the Story

    • Write to the end. Write the story until you have told the whole story. It will not be perfect and it is not supposed to be perfect. Just write it.

 

    • Read what you wrote. Read over the whole story to read it. This is a chance for you to take it all in full.

 

    • Read what you wrote with a red pen in your hand. (It’s probably a good idea to print out a copy if you are doing your first drafts on the computer or else use a red editor shortcut in your software.) Make notes about places where you need to add, remove, or maybe even break up the content.

 

    • Write a new draft around the notes you made. Again, write until you get to the end.

 

    • Now let the fun begin. Remove filler words. Replace weak words. Tighten up the fluff. Download your free download of editing tips at the Successful Freelance Writer.

 

  • Take time for one more read through. Read it aloud this time. Reading it aloud makes it easier to spot any flow issues.

Walking through these steps will help you create the best content you can – no matter what length is currently the flavor of the month.

 

Join Us

WordCamp Birmingham offers even more ways to learn about the right length for your content.

Join us for an amazing weekend of Words, WordPress, and Fun!

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