I’ve been building websites since the days of dial-up and I’ve seen it all.

From the early days of clunky slow websites to the sleek modern sites we have today I’ve learned a thing or two about WordPress.

One of the most common things I see are people making the same mistakes over and over again.

Tired of making rookie mistakes with your WordPress site? 😠 Don’t worry, we’ve all been there! Check out this epic guide to avoiding common WordPress pitfalls. Learn how to level up your WordPress game!

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The Rookie Mistakes That Keep Happening

Let’s be honest we’ve all been there.

We’re eager to get our websites up and running and we make some rookie mistakes along the way.

Don’t worry it’s all part of the learning process!

1. Forgetting About Search Engines

One of the first things you learn in website building is that you need to make sure your site is visible to search engines.

It’s like putting up a sign outside your shop – you want people to be able to find you!

there’s this setting in WordPress that lets you block search engines from crawling your site.

It’s a great idea for when your site is under construction but it’s easy to forget to turn it off.

I’ve seen this happen so many times especially during redesigns.

The developer gets all excited about the new site uploads it and forgets to flip that switch.

The site is live but nobody can find it.

Remember you’re responsible for your site’s visibility. Make sure that “Search Engine Visibility” is turned on and that your site is ready for the world to see.

2. Not Making Your URLs User-Friendly

The default permalink structure in WordPress isn’t exactly the most appealing.

You’ll see those long confusing URLs filled with numbers and characters which makes it hard for people to remember and for search engines to understand.

Think of your URLs like a street address. You want it to be clear and easy to find. That’s where using the “Post Name” permalink structure comes in.

Now if you have an old site that you want to change be sure to implement those fancy 301 redirects.

It’s like telling search engines “Hey this page has moved but don’t worry everything’s still good!”

3. Using “Admin” as Your Username and “Pass123” as Your Password

We’ve all been there right? You’re excited to dive into WordPress you’re impatient and you just want to get started.

So you create an account slap in “admin” for the username and “pass123” for the password.

Easy-peasy right?

WRONG!

Hackers know this.

They’re like vultures circling a carcass waiting for a site with a weak password.

And a password like “pass123”? That’s a neon sign saying “Welcome hackers!”

Don’t be a sitting duck. Take the time to create a strong unique password and consider deleting that “admin” user account altogether. You’ll be glad you did.

4. Overloading Your Site with Plugins

One of the things I love about WordPress is the huge library of plugins.

It’s like a giant toolbox full of tools to build anything you can imagine.

But you know what they say too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

Installing too many plugins can slow down your site and create conflicts.

It’s like trying to shove too many tools in a toolbox – everything starts to fall apart.

Remember this: install only the plugins you really need. And make sure you regularly update your plugins to avoid security vulnerabilities.

5. The “I’ll Do It Later” Syndrome With Software Updates

You know that little notification that pops up saying “WordPress update available”? It’s like a nagging spouse – you just want it to go away.

So you click “Dismiss” and tell yourself “I’ll do it later.”

Bad idea!

I’ve seen so many websites get hacked because their owners ignored updates. It’s like leaving the door unlocked and inviting burglars in. Never ever ignore WordPress updates!

And if you’re really struggling to stay on top of updates consider using a managed WordPress hosting service. They’ll handle all those updates for you so you can focus on running your business.

6. Using Too Many Categories and Tags

It’s tempting to think that more categories and tags are better but it’s not that simple.

Think of it this way: you have a shop with tons of shelves but they’re all filled with the same stuff.

It’s chaotic and confusing!

Using too many categories and tags can make your content look like a jumbled mess. It’s confusing for search engines and frustrating for your readers. Keep things organized and stick to a reasonable number of categories and tags.

7. Ignoring Image Optimization

Images are essential for any website but they can also be a drain on your site’s performance.

Large unoptimized images can slow down your site which can lead to people abandoning your website.

You need to optimize your images for their purpose. Use compressed versions of your images so they load quickly. There are plenty of free tools out there to help you with this.

Don’t Forget to Backup!

Remember we’re not immune to mistakes and sometimes bad things happen.

Maybe your website gets hacked or maybe you accidentally delete a page.

Having a regular backup system in place can save you from a lot of headaches.

There are plenty of great backup plugins out there. Use them!

Finding the Right Help

If you’re starting out with WordPress it’s a lot to take in.

I’ve been building websites for a long time and even I rely on a team to help me out.

That’s why I’m such a fan of managed WordPress hosting services.

They handle all the technical stuff for you like updates security and backups.

You can focus on running your business and creating amazing content.

So if you’re looking for a team to help you with your WordPress journey I recommend checking out some of those managed WordPress hosting options.

They’ll keep your site running smoothly so you can avoid those common mistakes.

Just remember we’re all learning and growing together.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and learn from your mistakes.

It’s all part of the adventure!

Are You Making These Common WordPress Mistakes?