Best Practices for WordPress Website Development
WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems out there, powering 43.2% of all websites on the internet as per February 2023.
However, building a WordPress website requires careful planning and execution. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the best practices for WordPress website development to help you create a website that is fast, secure, and easy to manage.
Choose a Reliable Hosting Provider
Choosing a reliable hosting provider is crucial for the performance of your WordPress website. Opt for a hosting provider that offers high uptime, fast loading times, and automatic backups. This will ensure that your website is accessible to your users, loads quickly, and that you have a backup in case something goes wrong.
My recommendation in Denmark: Wannafind or Scannet.
My recommendation in Estonia: Zone or Veebimajutus
Use a Lightweight and Customizable Theme
When choosing a theme for your WordPress website, it’s important to choose a lightweight and customizable theme. Avoid bloated themes with too many features and opt for a theme that is designed for speed and flexibility. A lightweight theme can significantly improve your website’s performance and load times.
I always use my own custom theme called Rye, based on Bootstrap.
Install Essential Plugins
Plugins are an essential part of a WordPress website. However, installing too many plugins can slow down your website and affect its performance. Choose essential plugins that help optimize your website’s performance, security, and SEO.
For example Yoast SEO
Optimize Your Website for Speed
Speed is a crucial factor in the success of your WordPress website. To optimize your website’s speed, consider using a caching plugin, optimizing your images, and minifying your CSS and JavaScript files. These optimizations can significantly improve your website’s loading times and user experience.
My recommendation: WP Fastest Cache
Keep Your Website Secure
Security is another crucial factor in the success of your WordPress website. To keep your website secure, always keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated to their latest versions. You should also consider using a security plugin, implementing two-factor authentication, and using a strong password.
My recommendation: WordFence
Conclusion
Building a WordPress website requires careful planning and execution. By following these best practices, you can create a website that is fast, secure, and easy to manage. Remember to choose a reliable hosting provider, use a lightweight and customizable theme, only install essential plugins, optimize your website for speed, and keep your website secure.
With these best practices in mind, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful WordPress website.