Simple Checklist
Very simple checklist for you to refer to. Make sure that you check out some of the other resources in this post: recommended plugins, Elementor templates, hosting discounts, and more. I’ll update this post from time to time.
(Here’s a playlist of short YouTube videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKmERbT08yvwuQ0nDOm_foQNulBt3naiY)
* Domain
* Hosting
* Connect via nameservers (if needed)
* Install WP
* admin login (mysite.com/wp-admin)
* Settings – Permalinks change to post name
* Users – Profile – change password if desired
* Pages – Add Home & Blog pages
* Settings – General – edit Site Title; change (both)WP & Site URL’s
to www.domain.com if desired; edit Admin email
* Settings – Discussion – change comments settings if wanted
* Plugins – some recommended plugins – WPHow2s.com blog post
– try to keep active plugins to no more than 15
Check Your Site Load Time
Here’s a list of plugins that I use/have used and recommend (this list is always open to edits).
Easy way to install these is to have your WP dashboard plugin screen open in one tab and this post open in another tab. Then simply copy & paste from this list to plugin search box (without the asterisks ** of course 🙂
WordPress Plugins
Optional but very cool plugins
** Generate Press premium
You have to use the GeneratePress theme to use this. This is linked to the GP site where you can purchase the GP Premium add-ons plugin(aff link)
**Elementor Page Builder – Best Free Page Builder for WP – download on your WP admin plugins page.
** Check out the Pro version here: https://wphow2s.com/Recommends/Elementor (affiliate)
Recommended
** Anti-Malware Security and Brute-Force Firewall
** WordFence Security
** TinyMCE Advanced
** W3 Total Cache
** Black Studio TinyMCE Widget
** Contact Form 7
** Smush Image Compression and Optimization
** WP Featherlight
** WP-SpamShield
** Google XML Sitemaps (not needed if you use Yoast)
** Yoast SEO
** AccessPress Social Icons
** Meta Slider
** Duplicator – clone, backup, move
** BackupBuddy – not free, but best WP backup plugin (aff link)
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Optional
** Facebook Like Box (By WP Lodge – seems to be the most recently updated)
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WordPress Themes: Your Site’s Design/Look/Layout
Choose your website’s WordPress theme
Free WordPress Themes
GeneratePress is a great free theme (affiliate) – GP also has a premium add-on plugin which makes this theme even better
Premium WordPress Themes (affiliate)
Theme Forest: http://themeforest.net/
StudioPress: http://www.studiopress.com/
Elegant Themes: http://www.elegantthemes.com
(this incl. Divi theme)
Themify Themes: http://themify.me
Other Resources
Web Hosting
InMotion Hosting – up to 56% off here MyEZWP.com (affiliate)
HostGator – up to 60% off here wphow2s.com/Recommended/HostGator (affiliate)
Discount codes
MIKEsave60 – up to 60% off, $4.99 .com’s
MIKESave30 – 6 months or longer
MIKESave10 – first month for $.01
Domains
NameCheap.com (my favorite place to buy domains)
WordPress theme used in video
** GeneratePress – free but has premium add-ons plugin that makes it even better
Highly Recommnded Utilities
LastPass.com – password manager
Firefox add-ons
MeasureIt
ColorZilla
Clipple
LOGOS
Fiverr.com
LogoNerds.com
www.logomix.com
ROYALTY FREE IMAGE SOURCES
Free Sources
Pixabay.com
Unsplash.com
Flickr.com
(need to have attribution link on your site)
Paid Sources
CanstockPhoto.com
Depositphotos.com
123rf.com
Photodune.net
iStockPhoto.com
Shutterstock.com
Icons
www.iconfinder.com
www.flaticon.com/
Image Editing
Color Scheme Designer
DESIGN INSPIRATION
Elementor templates
ThemeForest
VISUAL EDITOR
Double space (paragraph) – ENTER
Single space — SHIFT + ENTER