How to Optimize WordPress

Using Plug-ins

Jeff McLeod

Jeff@JeffMcLeod.ca

In this article I’m talking about:

1. Setting up Anti-spamming
2. Setting up Search Engine Optimization
3. Setting up Mobile Functionality

Powerpoint accompanying this article

Get a .doc copy of this post

Copy of WordPress with all my favorite plugins already included

This is my little list of things I think you should download and how I think you should configure them. To understand my thinking watch the video at http://jeffmcleod.ca showing you how and why I choose all of this. Also you can download all of these plug-ins in one file from the website.

1. Set-up Anti-spamming
   1. Go to settings->general->membership: uncheck “anyone can register”
   2. Go to settings->discussions->other comment settings: uncheck “Users must be logged in and registered to comment”
   3. Go to settings->discussions->before a comment appears: uncheck “Admin must always approve comment” and uncheck “Comment author must have a previously approved comment”
      1. i.     Save changes
2. Go to Plug-ins and activate Akismet (if the plug-in isn’t installed search for it under Plug-ins->add new).
   1. i.     Once installed, activate the plug-in. It will tell you that a key needed.  Follow the link to get a Key.
   2. ii.     Choose personal use if you want to use it for free.  Otherwise pay for it.  Retrieve the key from your email and input it into wordpress.
   3. Set-up SEO
      1. Go to Settings->permalinks and select custom.  Set it to “/%postname%
      2. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “All in one SEO pack”.  Install and activate.
      3. Go to Settings->plug-ins->All in one SEO pack->Options configuration panel
         1. i.     Plug-in status: enabled
         2. ii.     Fill in the Home Title, Home Description and Home Keywords
         3. iii.     Post Title Format: %post_title%
         4. iv.     Page Title Format: %page_title%

1. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “Google XML sitemap generator”.  Install and activate.
2. Go to Settings->XML-sitemap->”build it for the first time”
3. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “SEO Smart Links”.  Install and activate.
   1. i.     Check “Comments”, “Target->Tags”
   2. ii.     Set “Max links” to 10, “Max Single” to 1, “Max Single URLs” to 0
4. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “SEO Slugs”.  Install and activate.
5. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “Global Translator”.  Install and activate.
6. Go to Settings->plug-ins->add new and search for “cbnet Ping Optimizer”.  Install and activate.
   1. i.     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

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

You can get all of these plug-ins in one file (so you don’t have to download each individually) at http://jeffmcleod.ca

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