One of the most common platforms for building websites is WordPress – it offers great templates with a simple content management system (CMS) that anyone can use. Most freelancers, start-ups and some established businesses are likely to choose WordPress for their websites.
If you have a WordPress base for your website, it will allow you to easy control and upload your content, as well as engage with your audience through comments on posts. When setting up your website on WordPress, choose a template that looks good and offers easy usability.
Content and traffic are your priorities
Don’t worry too much about the plethora of plugins available to you – none of these additional plugins and features matter more than your content and the user experience offered by your theme. The first goal for your new website should be to attract users and offer helpful content. This will bring traffic to your site, which should be your number one priority.
Once you have some traffic coming to your site, then you can worry about the template and usability next. If no one sees your website, there’s no point in having a beautiful and functional design. Secure your audience before focusing on the tiny details of the design and functionality of your site.
Pay attention to audience feedback
You may think that you’ve chosen the best template for your website. It looks modern and sleek, but your users are struggling to navigate your site. Pay attention to their feedback in the comments section. If your audience is complaining about usability, you should change the template.
Most of the time, you won’t receive complaints about your website design or functionality, which is great. However, don’t ignore these comments if they ever do creep up. If you don’t address the concerns of the audience, they won’t return to your site in the future.
Start with basic plugins for core functions
Most plugins of WordPress offer free versions with limited capabilities. Paying for plugins unlocks extra functions which can really help your website. However, when starting out, use the free versions to get a foothold.
For example, Yoast is a plugin for search engine optimisation (SEO). The free version lets you choose a keyword, customise your URLs, add a meta description and a meta title for each post. Paying for Yoast unlocks longer descriptions and allows you to choose multiple keywords for your articles.
Using the free version to start will instantly boost the SEO for your website. It will improve your website rankings and increase the traffic coming from search engines. Most of the other plugins are the same, so start off with the basics and then pay for improved services as and when needed.
When setting up your new WordPress website, focus on the core goals; getting traffic is always number one. Without traffic, design and cool plugins mean nothing. Set your priorities and address them in order. Once you’ve established your website, then worry about the minor details.
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Sorted Design Agency is a creative company that constantly looks for solutions to other people’s problems. These problems come mostly in the visual format, such as graphic design, logo and illustration, but we’re experts in brand development, website design, and digital SEO campaigns as well.
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Based in Pretoria and Cape Town, Sorted has been in the content marketing industry since 2006. We assist your company with its corporate identity by communicating core values through content and articles written for your website, blog and news area. This content is supported by AdWords and social advertising, which facilitates wider reach and audience growth. Turn your website into a business tool.
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Sorted also owns two other businesses; InkFish Print Studio – a printing company that handles a range of promotional materials for businesses and other services for individual customers, and Pampiri + Kie – a gifts and stationery store selling online and in-store. Both of these companies operate from Cape Town and Pretoria.
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