This document provides instructions for 10 things to do after installing WordPress before writing the first post. These include changing the default admin, adding a security plugin, changing permalinks, activating Akismet, installing WordPress SEO by Yoast, activating Google Analytics, adding categories, changing the blog tagline, installing a theme, and backing up the site for protection. The document recommends specific plugins and actions to take to optimize security, SEO, analytics, and organization of the new WordPress site.

1. Al Davis
WPTeach.com
AFTER THE
INSTALL

2. ABOUT ME
Organizer of:
• WordCamp Toronto ( 2011, 2012)
• WordCamp Developers Toronto ( 2012)
• Toronto WordPress Meetup group
• Toronto Wordpress Developers Meetup
Program Manager, Hostopia
• WordPress SME for world’s largest
wholesale hosting provider
• Developing WP strategy for major telco’s,
cableco’s and ISP’s globally
• About to launch a service where we design
and publish 1000+ sites a month using WP
Professor , George Brown College
• Intro to WordPress
• Intro to WordPress theme Development
Owner, WPTeach.com
• WordPress website
• Launching online school to learn WP in Q2
• Freelance WordPress Development and
training

3. AGENDA
 10 Things you should do after you install
WordPress and before you write that
first post
 Any WordPress questions you might
have

4. Change the Default Admin
Why?
Because you want to publish your content under a
more user friendly name. And no one is actually
named admin…
How?
• Go to Users > Add new
• Add a new user with admin rights
• Log out of WordPress and log back in as your
newly created Admin user
• Delete default admin user

5. Add a Security Plugin
Why?
Because of the growing popularity of WordPress for
publishing websites, it has now become a target for
hackers and other ne’er do wells
How?
• Go to Plugins > Add new
• Search for ‘Wordfence’
• Install plugin and make sure it is activated

6. Change the permalinks
Why?
Because www.yoursite.com/page name is
much more SEO friendly than
www.yoursite.com/?p=200
How?
Go to Settings> Permalinks
As of WP version 3.3 you can click on button
labelled ‘Post Name’
Or you can use a custom structure such as
/%category%/%postname%/

7. Activate Akismet
Why?
Akismet comes bundled in with WordPress and is a great front line
defense against the spambot
How?
Go to Plugins > Installed plugins
Activate Akismet
Click on Link labeled ‘Sign up for an Akismet API Key’
Follow instructions – feel free to donate at the same time
Once done, check email for API key
From inside your WP Dashboard, click on the Akismet
configuration page ( Plugins> installed plugins> Akismet
Enter API key where prompted, click on ‘ Update options’

8. Install WordPress SEO by
Yoast
Why?
Make sure your content is optimized and easily searchable. The whole
idea is to attract visitors and grow your traffic right?
How?
Find a plugin you like
Install the plugin in the usual manner Plugins> Add New>Search
I am a BIG fan of Yoast SEO Plugin ( and not just because its free!)
Once installed view the options for the plugin you chose and start
to get familiar with how it works
First piece of work here is go to SEO-> XML Sitemap

9. Activate Google Analytics
Why?
Youll be able to measure the effectiveness of different posts on your site
and generally get a good feeling about what your doing
How?
Go to Plugins > Add New
Search for ‘Google Analytics’ and install Plugin
Go to Google analytics and sign up for an account
http://www.google.com/analytics/
Upon confirmation, you will receive a Web property ID ( starts with UA)
copy that number into the plugin setting page and save changes.
Google Analytics is set up!
The Bonus
Install Google Analytics Dashboard plugin for Google analytics right in
Your WP dashboard

10. Categories- Add them!
Why?
The out-of-the-box category is ‘Uncategorized,’ which, if it is a true
reflection of your content, means you might want to rethink your
strategy.
How?
Go to Posts > Categories
Click ‘Edit’ under the Uncategorized category
Change the name to something appropriate for your site
Add more categories if you like
Set the default category
Go to Settings > Writing
Set Default Post Category

11. Change your blog tagline
Why?
WordPress defaults to the tagline ‘Just Another WordPress
Site’ and your site is not just another site.
How?
Go to Setting > General
Change the tagline in the text box provided
Remember to save your changes!

12. Install a theme
Why?
You want a look and feel that represents you as a business or an
individual…and we all like good-looking websites
How do I find a free one?
Go to Wordpress.org/extend/themes
Browse through the thousands of themes and find one that
works for you..make note of the name or download it directly to
your computer
From inside your WP dashboard go to Appearance>Themes>
Install Themes and either upload the theme directly or search
for it by name and install
Make sure you activate the theme after you install it

13. Install a theme
What’s a premium theme?
A premium theme is a theme you pay for. Typically they include a
number of different features:
• Sliders
• Extra Widget areas
• Advanced functionality in general
How do I find one?
Lots of different places
• Elegant themes
• Woo themes
• Themify.me
• Theme Forest
• DO YOUR HOMEWORK HERE!!!!!

14. Back it up!
Why?
A backup plugin will at the very least give you peace of mind when the
time comes that something bad happens
How?
Find a plugin you like
Install the plugin in the usual manner Plugins> Add New
Make sure you do a backup and schedule a backup to happen at a
regular interval ( if that option is available)
I’m a fan of Backup Buddy by iThemes ( premium plugin but well
worth the $)
Other options:
• VaultPress ( monthly fee)
• ManageWP ( if you’re managing multiple sites)

15. That’s it, you’re now ready!
Any Questions?

16. Thank you
Al Davis
WPTeach.com
al@wpteach.com
Twitter- adavis3105
Skype adavis3105