One feature of WordPress that many small businesses love is that it is technically possible to put your own site together. Pick a theme; pick a web host; throw your site together, and enjoy an affordable new look for your business, right?
Unfortunately, this approach rarely works out the way you want it to. Not only does WordPress offer a rich landscape of options and possibilities if you take the time to hire a little bit of WordPress help, but a little professional support can keep you from making some pretty big mistakes. Here are just a few problems the right WordPress help can assist you in avoiding.
Mistake 1: Failing to Update Default Settings
You may not realize it, but WordPress has a number of default settings that they will incorporate into your website unless you specifically change them.
For example, WordPress will add the tag “Just another WordPress blog” to each of your blog posts. Unless you want customers to think you don't value your content, you will need to change this tagline to something that is appropriate to your business.
Similarly, WordPress may include a sample page on your site, add standard URLs, and add other default settings that could reflect negatively on your site.
If you want to avoid looking like a rookie (even if you are), you may want to hire some WordPress help. Their expertise can ensure that all your default settings become customized additions to a great site.
Mistake 2: Failing to Make Regular Updates
Your basic WordPress site, as well as all plugins, will require regular updates. These updates provide critical security support and compatibility features that allow them to offer your site ongoing benefits. Failing to install these updates creates an environment on your site that can more easily be hacked.
Updates, however, can be hard to keep track of, especially when you have a lot of elements in your site that all need regular support. Plus, updates sometimes make people nervous because they are afraid that the update will change or break something about their site.
In these cases, some professional WordPress help can be the support you need to keep track of, and successfully implement, WordPress updates.
Mistake 3: Choosing a Bad Plugin
WordPress' enormous number of plugins can feel dizzyingly exhilarating when you are setting up your site. Unfortunately, however, not all plugins are created equal. Some are no longer receiving updates. Others are susceptible to hacks. Others simply will not work the way you want them to.
If you want to enjoy the greatest possible benefit from your WordPress plugins, you will need to hire some WordPress help to give you the guidance you need. Professional insight into which plugins to use can help you avoid bad plugins and use the highest quality features available (as well as help you create new, customized features to meet your unique needs).
Mistake 4: Failing to Backup Your Site
Finally, many newbies to the WordPress world forget one very important step: Creating a reliable backup for their site. Just as you backup your content (you do backup your content, right?) so you need to backup the rest of your site.
Why is backup so important? Backups prevent what could be nothing more than annoying issues (such as a hack that erases your site) from turning into major hurdles that require you to rebuild all or part of your site.
Finding WordPress help in the form of an experienced and reliable Word Press developer can be the right choice if you want to create a beautiful, customized site without the problems that often accompany WordPress site creation.
Here at Distinct Web Design, we offer help in building WordPress sites that meet customer needs in beautiful and creative ways. If you feel that you need WordPress help, do not hesitate to reach out for the assistance and support you need to stand out on the Internet.
