Quick and dirty guide to optimizing a wordpress blog for search engine ranking.

1. How to Optimize WordPress Using Plug-ins Jeff McLeod Jeff@JeffMcLeod.ca Setting up Anti-spamming Setting up Search Engine Optimization Setting up Mobile Functionality

2. Set-up Anti-spamming Go to settings->general->membership: uncheck “anyone can register” Go to settings->discussions->other comment settings: uncheck “Users must be logged in and registered to comment” Go to settings->discussions->before a comment appears: uncheck “Admin must always approve comment” and uncheck “Comment author must have a previously approved comment” Save changes

3. Set-up Anti-spamming Go to Plug-ins and activate Akismet (if the plug-in isn’t installed search for it under Plug-ins->add new). Once installed, activate the plug-in. It will tell you that a key needed. Follow the link to get a Key. Choose personal use, and use the DIFY Members ****DIFY@gmail.com email as the registration email. The key will be sent to that email. Retrieve the key and input it into wordpress.

4. Set-up SEO Go to Settings->permalinks and select custom. Set it to “/%postname% Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “All in one SEO pack”. Install and activate. Go to Settings->plug-ins->All in one SEO pack->Options configuration panel Plug-in status: enabled Fill in the Home Title, Home Description and Home Keywords Post Title Format: %post_title% Page Title Format: %page_title%

5. Set-up SEO Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “Google XML sitemap generator”. Install and activate. Go to Settings->XML-sitemap->”build it for the first time” Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “SEO Smart Links”. Install and activate. Check “Comments”, “Target->Tags” Set “Max links” to 10, “Max Single” to 1, “Max Single URLs” to 0 Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “SEO Slugs”. Install and activate.

6. Set-up SEO Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “Global Translator”. Install and activate. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “cbnet Ping Optimizer”. Install and activate. Go to Settings->cbnet Ping Optimizer and check “Limit excessive pinging in short time” and set it to Ping at most 1 time within 15 minutes

7. Set-up Mobile Functionality Set-up Mobile Functionality Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “WPTouchiPhone”. Install and activate. Under WPTouchiPhone->settings->General Settins->Post Listing Options uncheck “Hide Excerpts” Under WPTouchiPhone->settings->General Settins->Sytle & Color Options->background choose either “Skated Concrete”, “Argyle Tie” or “Thatches”

8. Logging in to WordPress Paste your new password IMMEDIATELY change it Set-up all your plug-ins (go to www.jeffmcleod.ca to see a video on all the best plug-ins for business, and how to optimize their config for effectiveness)