Pimping 51 Grand Wordpress Blog
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Note that this is not a guide, but my real checklist I used to customize this blog. There is plenty of sites that teach step by step how to do it.
If you are new to Wordpress check their official website first. Otherwise lets get straight to business.
1. Plugins
I installed these plugins based on what is needed for professional blogging. It is very easy to install them, but takes some time to configure.
All in one SEO Plugin – for managing meta info.
Aksimet -Takes care of spam. You need a free API key from Wordpress.com.
Cforms - Very cool plugin for creating HTML forms (Shoemoney also recommends it).
Google Analytics for Wordpress – for tracking visitors
Google XML Sitemaps – creates a xml sitemap for search engines
Vipers Video Quicktags – for inserting video content
WP-PageNavi - more advanaced paging navigation
Wordpress Database Backup – Backups your blog on a schedule and sends it to your email. I shcheduled it to once a day.
There is no links to these plugins, since you can install them directly from your Wordpress Blog.
2. Url Structure / permalinks
I decided for: /%postname%/ – structure
Why? I think it suits my needs best. Read more on using permalinks on Wordpress.org.
3. WWW preference
I decided for http://www.51grand.com instead of http://51grand.com. Make sure you set the same in Google Webmaster Tools.
4. Creating robots.txt
Not too difficult. I just excluded what I don`t want to be found by search engine spiders. Robots.txt is a simle text file with one instructon per line. Here is mine:
Sitemap: http://www.51grand.com/sitemap.xml
User-agent: *
Disallow: /wp-content/
Disallow: /wp-admin/
Disallow: /wp-includes/
Disallow: /wp-
Disallow: /feed/
Disallow: /trackback/
Disallow: /cgi-bin/
Check how to create a robots.txt file if you are not familiar with it.
5. Google Stuff
Created a Google Webmaster Tools account and added sitemap and verified site ownership.
Created a Google Analytics account and added tracking code.
6. Creating Categories
Took me some time to think about it. There is no recipe for this one.
7. Finding and customizing wordpress theme
I analyzed worlds top bloggers and found similarities between their theme design and content placement. Then I created a sketch on paper to see what I was looking for.
Searching for wordpress theme can definitely take lots and lots of time. There are hundreds of free wordpress themes, but they are not good for professional bloggging.
I found that Shoemoney, John Chow and many other bloggers are using themes designed by a company called Unique Blog Designs so I checked them out. I am using their free theme called UB Money. It is just a perfect fit for my website. I like the layout, colors and what is best – the theme is optimized for search engines.
8. Security
Removed default admin account and set a secure password.
9. RSS setings
Added FeedBurner to manage my RSS feeds. Feedburner is a Google service, check out feedburner instructions.
10. Graphical elements
- Added Favicon. Chek the tool and instructions.
- Added Gravatar. Every blogger uses it! Gravatar Official Website.