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WordPress Site: Full Setup Checklist

My personal checklist template for setting up WP sites:

WP_Site_Deployment_Checklist_TemplateDownload

And if you don’t know what exactly each point means – feel free to read the full guide below. I made this some time ago to hand out to all those who ask me “how to set up a wordpress site”…

The guide will walk you through the process of setting up a “pro” website, from start to finish. Do all those steps and you’re OK.

WordPress Site Setup Guide (.pdf)
WordPress Site Setup Guide (.docx)

Phase 1: Planning and Preparation

This phase focuses on understanding the project’s needs and gathering all necessary information before you start building.

Step 1: Define Project Scope and Goals

Before you write a single line of code or install anything, it’s crucial to understand what the website needs to achieve.

  • What is the purpose of the website?
    • Is it a real estate site to showcase properties?
    • An e-commerce store to sell products?
    • A personal blog to share content?
    • A corporate site for a business?
  • What are the primary goals?
    • Generate more leads or inquiries?
    • Increase newsletter sign-ups?
    • Sell products online?
    • Provide information and resources?
    • Improve brand visibility?
  • Advanced: Conduct a thorough discovery meeting with the client. Document all requirements and functionalities.
  • Beginners: Clearly define your goals for the website. Write them down to keep focused.

Step 2: Gather Branding Assets

Your website needs to reflect your brand. Collect all essential branding elements.

  • Logo: Request the official logo. Preferred formats are PNG (with transparent background) or SVG (scalable vector graphics) for best quality.
  • Brand Colors: Obtain HEX codes for all primary and secondary brand colors.
  • Fonts: Get the names of any specific fonts used for branding. If custom fonts are required, ensure you have the font files or links to Google Fonts/Adobe Fonts.
  • Decision Point: If you don’t have these, decide whether you will create them yourself or if the client needs to provide them.
  • Advanced: Ensure you receive high-resolution assets. Advise clients on best practices for logo and image formats.
  • Beginners: If you don’t have a logo or brand colors, consider using online tools or hiring a designer. Many free resources are available for color palettes and font pairings.

Step 3: Determine Multilingual Support Needs

Consider if your website needs to cater to an international audience.

  • Question: Does the website need to support more than one language?
  • If Yes: Plan to install a multilingual plugin. Popular options include:
    • WPML (WordPress Multilingual Plugin): A powerful, paid solution with extensive features.
    • Polylang: A free alternative that offers good functionality for many use cases.
  • Advanced: Discuss the pros and cons of each plugin with the client, considering budget and specific language requirements.
  • Beginners: If you anticipate needing multiple languages in the future, it’s often easier to set this up from the beginning.

Step 4: List All Required Pages

Map out the structure of your website by listing all the pages you’ll need.

  • Essential Pages: Home, About Us, Contact, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service.
  • Specific Pages (Examples): Listings (for real estate), Shop, Product Pages, Blog, Services, Portfolio.
  • Content Plan: For each page, define its purpose and what content it will contain.
  • Responsibility: Determine who is responsible for writing the content for each page (you, the client, or a copywriter).
  • Advanced: Create a sitemap or wireframe to visualize the site structure. Clarify content responsibilities with the client.
  • Beginners: Sketch out your website on paper or use a simple diagram tool. Think about the user journey through your site.

Step 5: Research Themes and Plugins

WordPress thrives on themes and plugins. Choose them wisely based on your project’s needs.

  • Theme Selection: Search for a theme that aligns with your project type.
    • E-commerce: Themes integrated with WooCommerce.
    • Real Estate: Themes like Real Homes.
    • Blogs/Portfolios: General-purpose themes or specific niche themes.
  • Where to Look: WordPress.org Theme Directory (free), ThemeForest, Elegant Themes, StudioPress (premium).
  • Plugin Selection: Identify essential plugins based on required functionalities (e.g., contact forms, SEO, security, caching).
  • Advanced: Present a few theme and plugin options to the client, explaining the pros and cons of free vs. premium versions. Manage client expectations regarding features.
  • Beginners: Start with free themes and essential plugins from the WordPress.org directory. Read reviews and check compatibility.

Step 6: Understand Premium (Pro) Options

Many themes and plugins offer free and paid (premium/pro) versions. Be aware of the differences.

  • Clarification: Discuss with the client (or decide for yourself) if you are willing to pay for premium themes or plugins.
  • Features: Many demo features of themes often require the pro version to function fully.
  • Pros of Premium: More features, better support, regular updates, often higher quality code.
  • Cons of Premium: Additional cost.
  • Advanced: Clearly explain which features are locked behind premium versions and their associated costs. Provide a cost-benefit analysis.
  • Beginners: Start with free options. You can always upgrade later if you need more advanced features.

Step 7: Determine Hosting, Domain, and Email Provider

These are the foundational elements of your online presence.

  • Hosting: Choose a hosting provider that offers good speed, security, and is located geographically close to your target audience.
    • Requirements: Ensure the host meets WordPress requirements (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 5.7+).
  • Domain Registrar: Confirm if your desired domain name is available or if it has already been purchased.
  • Email Provider: Decide how you will handle professional email addresses (e.g., [email protected]).
  • Advanced: Research and recommend reliable hosting providers. Guide the client through domain registration if needed.
  • Beginners: Many hosting providers offer bundled domain registration and email services. Look for beginner-friendly options.

Step 8: Collect Account Credentials

Gather all necessary login information securely.

  • Required Access: You will need access to:
    • Domain registrar account
    • Hosting account (cPanel, Plesk, or custom dashboard)
    • Email provider account (if separate)
    • Any third-party services (e.g., Google Analytics, Cloudflare)
  • Security: Always save credentials securely, preferably in a password manager. Never share credentials via unencrypted email.
  • Advanced: Use a secure method (e.g., LastPass, 1Password, or a secure vault) to receive and store client credentials.
  • Beginners: Use a reputable password manager to store all your website-related logins.

Phase 2: Technical Setup

This phase covers the core technical aspects of getting your WordPress site online.

Step 9: Domain & DNS Configuration

Point your domain name to your hosting server.

  • Access Registrar: Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, your local provider).
  • Update DNS Records:
    • A Record: Point your domain to your hosting server’s IP address.
    • CNAME Record: If using a CDN like Cloudflare, you might use CNAME records.
    • Nameservers: Alternatively, update your domain’s nameservers to those provided by your hosting company.
  • Email Records: Add MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records. These are crucial for email deliverability and preventing spoofing.
  • Google Site Verification: Add the TXT record provided by Google Search Console for site verification.
  • Advanced: Double-check all DNS entries for accuracy. Use DNS lookup tools to verify propagation.
  • Beginners: Your hosting provider usually has detailed guides or support to help with DNS configuration. It might take a few hours for changes to propagate globally.

Step 10: Hosting Environment Setup

Prepare your hosting space for WordPress.

  • Verify WordPress Requirements: Confirm your hosting environment meets the minimum requirements for the latest WordPress version (PHP 8.1+, MySQL 5.7+).
  • Enable HTTPS/SSL: Activate an SSL certificate for your domain. Most hosts offer free Let’s Encrypt certificates. Ensure HTTPS is enforced.
  • SFTP Access & Database: Set up Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) access (more secure than FTP) and create a MySQL database with a strong username and password.
  • Automatic Backups: Configure automatic daily backups through your hosting dashboard. Consider an additional remote backup solution (see Phase 4).
  • Advanced: Optimize PHP settings (memory limit, execution time) for WordPress. Implement server-level caching if available.
  • Beginners: Most hosts have one-click WordPress installers that handle many of these steps automatically. Ensure SSL is active and backups are enabled.

Step 11: WordPress Installation

Install the WordPress software on your hosting.

  • Installation Method:
    • One-Click Installer: Many hosts provide tools like Softaculous or Fantastico for easy installation.
    • Manual Installation: Download WordPress from WordPress.org, upload via SFTP, and create the wp-config.php file. This gives you more control.
  • Admin Credentials: Use a strong, unique username (avoid ‘admin’) and a complex password for your WordPress administrator account. Store it securely.
  • Security Hardening:
    • Disable File Editing: Add define(‘DISALLOW_FILE_EDIT’, true); to your wp-config.php file to prevent theme/plugin file editing from the WordPress dashboard.
    • Remove Defaults: Delete unused default themes (e.g., Twenty Twenty-One, Twenty Twenty-Two) and plugins (e.g., Akismet, Hello Dolly).
    • File Permissions: Ensure correct file permissions (755 for folders, 644 for files) via SFTP or your host’s file manager.
  • Advanced: Perform a manual installation for full control and understanding. Implement additional security measures like wp-config.php hardening.
  • Beginners: Use the one-click installer provided by your host. Focus on setting strong credentials and deleting unused items.

Step 12: Theme & Plugin Setup

Bring your website to life with your chosen theme and essential plugins.

  • Upload & Activate Theme: Go to Appearance > Themes > Add New. Upload your theme’s ZIP file if it’s a premium theme, or search the directory for free themes.
  • Install Required Plugins: Many themes recommend or require specific plugins. Install and activate them as prompted.
  • Import Demo Content: If your theme offers it, import demo content. This can save significant time by setting up pages, menus, and styles similar to the theme’s demo.
  • Customize Structure: Organize your site’s navigation via Appearance > Menus and arrange content in sidebars/footers using Appearance > Widgets.
  • Child Theme (for customizations): If you plan to modify theme files (e.g., CSS, functions), create and activate a child theme. This preserves your changes when the parent theme updates.
  • Advanced: Review theme code for best practices. Use a child theme for all custom code. Optimize plugin selection to avoid bloat.
  • Beginners: Follow the theme’s documentation for demo import. Start with basic customizations and gradually explore more advanced options.

Step 13: Email Configuration

Ensure your website can send and receive emails reliably.

  • Create Domain Email: Set up professional email addresses (e.g., [email protected]) through your hosting control panel or a dedicated email service.
  • External SMTP (Recommended): For better deliverability, configure an external SMTP service (e.g., Gmail SMTP, Zoho Mail, SendGrid, Mailgun).
  • Configure with Plugin: Install an SMTP plugin (e.g., WP Mail SMTP). Enter your ‘From’ email address and SMTP credentials.
  • Test Forms: Send test messages from all contact forms and other email-sending features on your site. Check your inbox and spam folders to ensure emails are delivered.
  • Advanced: Implement robust SMTP settings. Monitor email logs for delivery issues.
  • Beginners: Use a plugin like WP Mail SMTP; it simplifies the process significantly. Test thoroughly.

Phase 3: Optimization and Security

This phase focuses on making your site fast, secure, and discoverable.

Step 14: Implement Security Measures

Protect your WordPress site from threats.

  • Security Plugin: Install a reputable security plugin (e.g., Wordfence Security, Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security), Sucuri Security). These offer firewalls, malware scanning, and login protection.
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA for all administrator users to add an extra layer of login security.
  • Change Login URL (Optional but Recommended): Use a plugin to change the default /wp-admin or /wp-login.php URL to a custom one. This helps prevent brute-force attacks.
  • Limit Login Attempts: Configure your security plugin to limit the number of failed login attempts and block suspicious IPs.
  • Disable XML-RPC: Unless you specifically need it for mobile apps or other integrations, disable XML-RPC as it’s a common attack vector.
  • Advanced: Implement server-level security where possible. Regularly audit security logs and keep all software updated.
  • Beginners: Install one good security plugin and follow its recommendations. Keep your WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.

Step 15: Optimize Performance

Make your website load quickly for a better user experience and SEO.

  • Caching Plugin: Install a caching plugin (e.g., WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache). Caching stores static versions of your pages, reducing server load and speeding up delivery.
  • Image Optimization: Use an image optimization plugin (e.g., ShortPixel, Imagify, Smush) to compress images without significant quality loss. Convert images to WebP format for better performance.
  • Content Delivery Network (CDN): Set up a CDN like Cloudflare (free plan is excellent). A CDN serves your static assets (images, CSS, JS) from servers closer to your visitors, speeding up delivery and providing additional security.
  • Minification & Deferral: Minify (remove unnecessary characters) CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files. Defer non-critical JavaScript to load after the main content, improving initial page load times.
  • Advanced: Configure advanced caching rules. Implement lazy loading for images and videos. Analyze site performance using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.
  • Beginners: Start with a simple caching plugin and an image optimization plugin. Cloudflare’s free plan is highly recommended for everyone.

Step 16: SEO & Analytics Setup

Help search engines find your site and track visitor behavior.

  • SEO Plugin: Install an SEO plugin (e.g., Rank Math SEO, Yoast SEO). These plugins help you optimize meta titles, descriptions, and generate sitemaps.
  • Submit Sitemap: Generate an XML sitemap using your SEO plugin and submit it to Google Search Console. This tells Google about all the pages on your site.
  • Meta Tags & Favicon: Configure meta tags for individual pages/posts. Add a favicon (the small icon in the browser tab). Set up Open Graph images for better social media sharing.
  • Google Analytics (GA4): Set up a Google Analytics 4 (GA4) property and integrate it with your WordPress site (often via your SEO plugin or a dedicated analytics plugin). This allows you to track website traffic, user behavior, and conversions.
  • Advanced: Conduct keyword research. Implement structured data (schema markup). Monitor search rankings and traffic.
  • Beginners: Focus on filling out the SEO fields provided by your plugin for each page. Connect Google Analytics to see who visits your site.

Step 17: Legal Compliance

Ensure your website complies with privacy regulations like GDPR.

  • GDPR-Compliant Cookie Banner: Install a plugin (e.g., Complianz, CookieYes) to display a cookie consent banner. Ensure visitors can easily opt in or out of cookies.
  • Privacy Policy & Terms Pages: Create dedicated pages for your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Many themes or plugins offer templates, or you can use online generators.
  • GDPR Checkbox in Forms: Add a checkbox to all contact forms and other data collection forms, requiring users to consent to your privacy policy before submitting their information.
  • Advanced: Stay updated on privacy regulations relevant to your target audience. Implement data minimization practices.
  • Beginners: Use a reputable plugin for cookie consent and privacy policy generation. Make sure all forms have a consent checkbox.

Phase 4: Maintenance and Handover

This final phase ensures your site remains healthy and that the client has all they need.

Step 18: Backup & Monitoring Strategy

Protect your investment with a robust backup and monitoring plan.

  • Regular Backups: Set up a reliable backup plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, Duplicator) to schedule regular backups (daily or weekly, depending on content update frequency).
  • Remote Storage: Store backups in a remote, off-site location (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3). Never rely solely on hosting-provided backups.
  • Uptime Monitoring: Use an uptime monitoring service (e.g., UptimeRobot, Jetpack Monitor, Pingdom) to get instant alerts if your website goes offline.
  • Advanced: Automate backup processes and test restoration regularly. Set up comprehensive monitoring for performance and security.
  • Beginners: Configure your backup plugin to automatically send backups to a cloud storage service. Sign up for a free uptime monitoring service.

Step 19: Client Handover & Documentation

Provide the client with everything they need to manage their new website.

  • Credentials: Securely provide all necessary credentials:
    • WordPress admin login
    • Hosting control panel login
    • SFTP/Database credentials
    • Email account logins
    • Any third-party service logins (e.g., Cloudflare, Google Analytics)
    • Recommendation: Use a secure password manager for sharing.
  • Full Backup: Deliver a complete backup of the website to the client.
  • Admin Guide: Create a simple, tailored guide (written or video) explaining how to perform common tasks like editing pages, adding blog posts, or managing products.
  • Maintenance Plan: Discuss ongoing maintenance options, such as monthly support packages, security updates, or future check-ins.
  • Advanced: Prepare a comprehensive handover document. Offer training sessions. Propose a clear maintenance contract.
  • Beginners: Keep a well-organized document with all your website’s logins and important information. Learn the basics of managing your WordPress site.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up your WordPress website. Remember that website management is an ongoing process. Regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins, and keep an eye on your site’s performance and security.

Best,

Vlad