Key takeaways:
- Change permalink settings for better SEO and readability.
- Remove default comments, plugins, and themes to clean up your site.
- Adjust pingback settings and update your site title for clarity.
After installing WordPress, it’s easy to overlook some important settings that can impact your site’s performance and usability. Many users jump straight into creating content without fine-tuning their setup. This article will guide you through six essential settings you should change right after a fresh install to ensure your site runs smoothly and is optimized for search engines.
Let’s get started with these settings that can make a big difference!
Change Your Permalink Structure for Better SEO
One of the first things you should do is adjust the permalink settings. By default, WordPress uses a numeric structure that isn’t friendly for search engines or users. Instead, choose a more readable format like “Post name.”
To do this, log into your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Settings, then Permalinks. Select Post name and hit Save Changes. You can also create a custom structure if you want to include categories or tags in your URLs. Just remember to keep it simple and memorable.
Delete Default Comments and Sample Posts
Next up, let’s clean house by deleting default comments and sample posts. These items clutter your dashboard and can confuse visitors.
Go to the Comments section, hover over the default comment, and click on the trash icon. Do the same for the sample page under Pages and the “Hello World” post under Posts. This keeps your site tidy from the get-go.
Remove Unused Plugins
WordPress comes with some default plugins that you might not need. It’s a good idea to remove any that aren’t useful to you.
Head over to Plugins, find the ones you want to remove, click Deactivate, then select Delete. For example, if you see plugins like Hello Dolly that don’t serve a purpose for your site, go ahead and delete them. However, some plugins like Akismet may help with spam protection, so consider keeping those if they fit your needs.
Clean Up Unused Themes
Just as with plugins, WordPress installs several themes by default that you may not use. It’s best to keep only one active theme for simplicity.
Go to Appearance and then Themes. Here, you’ll see all available themes. Click on the ones you don’t need and hit Delete. Keeping just one theme helps avoid potential conflicts later on.
Disable Pingbacks
Pingbacks can be a nuisance, filling up your inbox with notifications every time someone links to your content. To avoid this clutter, it’s best to disable them.
Navigate to Settings, then Discussion. Uncheck options related to notifying other blogs when you link to them and allowing pingbacks on new posts. Save your changes, and you’ll no longer receive those annoying emails.
Update Your Site Title and Tagline
Finally, don’t forget to set your site title and tagline! This is how visitors will identify your site at a glance.
Go back to Settings, then General. Enter your desired site title (like “Tech Universe”) and a catchy tagline that sums up what your site is about. Make sure it’s memorable but straightforward.
These six settings are crucial for getting started on the right foot with WordPress. Remember that setting up your site is just the beginning; ongoing optimization will help keep it relevant in the digital space.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to drop a comment below!
FAQs
What are permalinks in WordPress?
Permalinks are the permanent URLs for your posts and pages. They should be structured for SEO friendliness.
How do I delete default comments in WordPress?
Go to the Comments section in your dashboard, hover over any comment, and click on the trash icon.
Can I remove all default plugins?
Yes, you can deactivate and delete any default plugins that aren’t useful for your website.
Why should I disable pingbacks?
Disabling pingbacks prevents unnecessary email notifications about links pointing to your site.
How do I change my site title?
Go to Settings > General in your dashboard, enter your desired title and tagline, then save changes.
