Whether you need a website for your business, brand or blog, the WordPress platform offers an affordable and easy-to-use solution. But developing a WordPress site from scratch isn’t as simple as installing the software and clicking a few buttons. It requires careful planning, diligent research and an understanding of each step along the way. If you aren’t familiar with coding or website design principles, it can be a challenging process—especially if this is your first time creating a site from scratch. However, with the right knowledge, you can build a successful wordpress website development that achieves your objectives and meets your needs. The following are some common mistakes that many people make when developing their WordPress website. Avoid these pitfalls to create an effective and efficient site that meets all your expectations.
Getting the design process right from the start
Building a website from scratch may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re not an expert. But with the right tools and expertise, you can create a beautiful, functional and engaging site that meets your business objectives. The very first step in the design process is determining which type of WordPress you would like to use for your website. You have two main options: WordPress.com and WordPress.org. All websites that use WordPress are hosted by a web host, which is where your website files are stored and managed.
With WordPress.com, the creators of the platform host and maintain the website, while you get the ability to manage content, create pages, schedule posts, and set up and track analytics. However, with WordPress.org, you have the freedom to host your site and have full control over the design, functionality, and features. With this option, you are responsible for managing the website and making sure it stays up and running. This is because you’re responsible for finding a web host, installing the software and hiring a designer to create a beautiful website.
Using the wrong type of WordPress for your website
If you choose to use WordPress.com, all the functionality and design elements of your website will be determined by the platform. You can’t alter the design or add new features without finding a workaround. For example, if you want to add a shopping cart, you can’t because it’s not available. With WordPress.org, you have full control over the design and functionality of your website.
You can hire a designer to create a custom design, or you can search for templates that are on par with the functionality you require for your site. If you’re using WordPress.com for your website, you can’t sell products online or accept payments. In addition, you’re limited in the functionality you have and the design options available to you. If you choose WordPress.org, you have the freedom to create a fully customized website that meets your business needs.
Failing to understand your target audience
As you’re designing and creating your website, it’s crucial to understand your target audience and their needs and expectations. This will help you create a website that appeals to your ideal customers, increases engagement, and drives conversions. A website that is appealing to your target audience and meets their needs will also help you rank better on search engines like Google.
This means that your website will be discovered more frequently by people who are browsing for your products or services. To create a website that resonates with your target audience, you need to know who they are and what they want. You should conduct some research to discover the demographics of your audience, what they’re currently doing, and what they’re interested in. Once you know these things, create a website that caters to the needs of your audience.
Relying on pre-built templates and themes
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is settling for a pre-built template or theme when designing your website. While these are quick and easy solutions, they don’t allow you to customize your website to meet your needs. Some templates and themes come with limitations that prevent you from including certain elements on your site. You may also find that some of the design elements aren’t to your taste or don’t fit with your brand.
For example, if you want to include a slider on your homepage, but it’s not included in the template you’re using, you can’t do this. You also can’t add additional pages or change the URL structure. To ensure that your website is fully customized and meets your needs, hire a designer to create a custom template that is designed to your specifications.
Not hosting your website with a fast and reliable host
If you’re hosting your website on WordPress.org, you can’t rely on a free web host. While it may seem like a quick and easy option, free hosts often have slow servers and don’t offer the reliability and uptime you need. You also won’t be able to install some WordPress plugins, and you’ll have limited access to technical support.
Instead, find a reputable and reliable host that offers managed WordPress hosting. This is a paid service, but it is worth the investment because you’ll have a website that loads quickly, is reliable 24/7, and is backed by expert support. If you host your website with a web host that has poor uptime or is slow, your website will suffer. Visitors will leave your site quickly and not return, which will impact your bottom line and online reputation.
Only using WordPress for blog content
Many people choose WordPress to create a blog or website that includes a mix of blog and non-blog content, such as product pages, eCommerce functionality, and functionality to accept payments. However, some people only use WordPress to create a blog, which is not an ideal scenario. This is because blogs have a short lifespan and expire relatively quickly. A blog is intended to publish fresh content regularly.
Therefore, as soon as you publish new content, it becomes stale and outdated and quickly loses its appeal. You can combat this by repurposing your blog content in other ways. For example, you can transform blog posts into ebooks, create video content from blog posts, or create an infographic. This will extend the lifespan of your content and keep it relevant for a longer period.
Conclusion
Creating a website can be challenging if you aren’t familiar with the process. There are many things to take into account, and it’s easy to make mistakes along the way if you’re not careful. By avoiding the pitfalls outlined above, you can create a WordPress site that meets your business objectives and is a functional, engaging, and efficient tool.
