WordPress is one of the most popular and reliable platforms for publishing content. If your site is running WordPress, there’s a good chance it could be improved with a few simple changes. Learn how to make your WordPress sites faster, more secure, and better for today’s search engine guidelines.

1. Optimizing
WordPress
Brian LaFrance
Marketing Director – AuthorityLabs
brian.lafrance@authoritylabs.com
Twitter - @blafrance

2. Getting Set up Right is
Critical

3. Self vs. Managed Hosting

4. Choosing a Server

5. Choosing a Theme
• Avoid bloated themes
• Frameworks vs. Themes

6. Mobile Considerations
• Responsive design – mobile first
• Don’t go overboard – Logical breakpoints
• Prioritize for better user experience
• Minimize resources sent to devices

7. Use WP_DEBUG

8. Permalinks

9. Change Your Timezone

10. Reading Settings

11. Comment Handling

13. Image Sizing

14. Plugins
• More plugins = less security
• Choose wisely
• Plugins vs. Theme Functionality
• Not always one size fits all
• Delete any plugins that are not in use

15. Caching & Speed

16. WordPress SEO by Yoast

19. Managing Javascripts
• Plugin developers are lazy
• Use Google Hosted Libraries
• Use wp_enqueue_script()
• Monitor for errors (Errorception)
• Combine when possible (Segment.io)

20. Social Integration
• Don’t need a plugin
• Consider mobile devices
• Use shortcodes to add inline

22. Updates & Security
• Keep everything updated regularly
• Multiple installs? Centralize tracking
• Use Sucuri
• Back everything up daily

23. Launching a New Site or Design
• Check rendering in all browsers
• Check titles & descriptions
• Don’t rely on WP for www vs. non-www
• Test all forms
• Test redirects of old pages

24. Quick Tips
Site searches = content ideas
Customize your <!--more--> tags
Learn to use hooks
Never, ever edit core files. Don’t do it.

25. Optimizing
WordPress
Brian LaFrance
Marketing Director – AuthorityLabs
brian.lafrance@authoritylabs.com
Twitter - @blafrance