WordPress is a powerful and user-friendly content management system (CMS) that is used by millions of websites worldwide. Currently, 43% of all websites are built with WordPress, and 64% of all CMS sites.
However, as with any platform, there are common mistakes that beginners make when using WordPress. Here are some of the most common mistakes that beginners make when using WordPress and how to avoid them.
- Not keeping WordPress and its plugins updated: One of the most common mistakes that beginners make is not keeping WordPress and its plugins updated. This can leave your website vulnerable to security threats and can cause compatibility issues with other plugins and themes. To avoid this, make sure to regularly check for updates and install them as soon as they become available.
- Not creating a backup: Creating a backup of your website is essential in case something goes wrong. It’s one of the beginner mistakes when working on WordPress, many beginners neglect to create a backup of their website, which can lead to the loss of important data if something goes wrong. To avoid this, make sure to create a backup of your website regularly.
- Choosing the wrong theme: Choosing the wrong theme can make it difficult to customize your website and make it look the way you want. Many beginners choose a theme based on its appearance rather than its functionality, which can lead to problems down the road. To avoid this, choose a theme that is designed for the type of website you’re creating and that is customizable to meet your needs.
- Overusing plugins: While plugins can be a great way to add functionality to your website, overusing them can slow down your website and make it difficult to navigate. This is a common beginner mistake, many beginners install too many plugins, which can cause conflicts and slow down the website. To avoid this, only install the plugins that you need and keep them updated.
- Not optimizing images: Another common beginner mistake is not optimizing images. Large, unoptimized images can slow down your website and make it difficult for visitors to load your pages quickly. To avoid this, make sure to optimize your images before uploading them to your website.
WordPress is so popular because it’s a powerful and user-friendly platform, but beginners can make common mistakes when using it. By avoiding these mistakes, beginners can ensure that their website is secure, fast, and easy to navigate, which can lead to a better user experience and more success with their website.